The Australian Wars premiered on SBS in September 2022. This series directed and presented by filmmaker Rachel Perkins, reveals the truth of Australia’s past.
The British claim to the Australian continent, that disregarded First Nations peoples’ sovereignty and their custodianship of country for thousands of years, set in train brutal conflicts that unfolded for more than 100 years. Over three episodes, Rachel journeys across the continent to explore the breadth of warfare, strategy, and forceful resistance that occurred. The lives of Aboriginal warriors, women and children, military men, governors, and settlers are illuminated as they grapple with the forces of war. It’s also an exploration of the here and now, the legacy of war, and how Australia today engages with this truth.
The Australian Wars presents a compelling awakening to an Australian history not commonly known or understood. Dramatic reconstructions combined with interviews with historians, Elders, descendants of warriors, and survivors, bring this sweeping story to life.
In recognition of the documentary’s immense educational value, Blackfella Films and SBS Learn have collaborated with Culture is Life, to publish curriculum-aligned education resources about the Frontier Wars.
We recognise that the content in the series and resources is sensitive and will evoke strong emotions in viewers. These are necessary emotions to face in the process of reckoning with our shared histories. We endeavor to build duty of care, cultural care and cultural safety into all our design and processes with this work, and we aspire to these values being carried forward by all our partners in this critical work of change, justice and healing.
How To Watch
For Teachers
For classroom viewing of whole episodes, please visit ClickView, or your school’s resource centre (for example Wingaru, Informit etc).
For Parents & Caregivers
For personal viewing of whole episodes, please visit SBS On Demand.
Content warning: The documentary is classified M, and the clips selected in this resource are classified PG. The clips are intended to be previewed by teachers before sharing with students.
Before Watching
Before undertaking this unit of work and considering your term planning around this series, please watch this video from Shelley Ware, a Yankunyjatjara and Wirangu woman and one of Culture is Life’s educator behind this resource. In the video, Shelley talks about how to prepare yourself and your students to engage with The Australian Wars within a culturally safe teaching environment and carefully structured learning plans.
Pre-Watching Activity: A Message from Shelley Ware
Education Resources
Full Resources for Years 10-12 by Culture Is Life
‘The Australian Wars’ Education Resources by Culture Is Life
Teaching First Nations Knowledges & Perspectives: A guide to creating safe learning environments
Classroom Ready Clips for Year 9 by SBS Learn
‘Understanding the Frontier Wars’ by SBS Learn
‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols Guide – for Teachers’ by SBS Learn
Press
The Australian Wars Episode 3 featuring Rachel Perkins | The NITV Podcast
Rachel Perkins welcomes Australian War Memorial’s expansion of frontier war exhibits | NITV Radio
The Australian Wars – Episode 2 featuring Rodney Dillon | The NITV Podcast
The Australian Wars Episode 1 featuring Jasmine Seymour | The NITV Podcast
Australia’s history before British arrival at the Australian War Memorial | The Drum
I wasn’t sure I wanted my 16-year-old son to watch ‘The Australian Wars’ by Shelley Ware | SBS
What you need to know about the Frontier Wars | NITV
Reclaiming Dyarubbin: “Here we are… we’ve never gone away”| SBS
Why making The Australian Wars was deeply personal for Rachel Perkins | Sydney Morning Herald
What were the Australian Wars and why is history not acknowledged? | SBS
*The content on Culture is Life’s website is independent of SBS and the views, products and any services promoted by this website do not necessarily represent the views of, or an endorsement by, SBS.
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The 2025 Fellows just wrapped an incredible week in Garramilla on Larrakia Country, a week of reflection, storytelling, healing and deep connection with community and Country.
From Uncle Dr Richard Fejo’s Saltwater Ceremony, to SEWB learnings with Mark Nannup, values grounding with Aunty Steff, storytelling with Gen Grieves, visits to Children’s Ground and Minramana Community, and a beautiful bush medicine workshop with Aunty Cheryl, every day was packed with culture, growth and purpose.
We closed with a powerful circle led by Dr Carmen Cubillo and heartfelt ‘Who You?’ presentations that brought the cohort even closer.
Huge love to all our First Nations hosts and facilitators for welcoming us so generously.
❤️🤎🖤
Join award-winning filmmaker Rachel Perkins and esteemed historian Henry Reynolds at the launch of The Australian Wars book tomorrow night. After sold out launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, the conversation now heads to The Australian War Memorial on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
Rachel has long called for First Nations people who died in Frontier Wars conflicts – as well as colonists who were killed – to be officially recognised by this institution ❤️🖤🤎
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, this ground breaking book was conceived by Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series of the same name, produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
Image credit: Dylan River
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray
📚 Launching The Australian Wars Book!
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in creating The Australian Wars book, being launched around the country this week!
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, the book was conceived by the incredible Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
The book builds on the meticulous research conducted for the documentary series, and covers Frontier Wars battles across all the states and territories. It’s a hugely valuable resource for history teachers, and essential reading for all Australians to progress truth-telling in this country. ❤️🖤🤎
Look out for launch events happening in:
Gadigal Country (Sydney)
Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country (Melbourne)
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) ... and hopefully more to come!
🔍Look it up! Don’t miss this important work.
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray Henry Reynolds
Don’t miss this! Tomorrow night in Naarm!
We’re so proud that our Education Consultant and Fullaship Elder, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong OAM, will be in conversation with Mervyn Bishop and Tim Dobbyn to launch the illustrated biography; Black, White + Colour!
Mervyn Bishop took one of the most significant photos in Australian history: Gough Whitlam pouring a handfull of sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari. As Australia’s first Aboriginal press photographer, his story is a must-hear.
Still a few tickets left - book via trybooking!
Avenue Bookstore, Elsternwick. It’s FREE!
Leyla is a proud Noongar woman who works to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Victoria. From advocating for strength-based mentoring programs to representing young mob in key policy forums, her work is deeply rooted in community and cultural strength.
She is a graduate of the 2022 Fullaship Program, a three-time Melbourne Fashion Week model, and has represented Australia at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference. Having overcome immense adversity, Leyla is committed to breaking cycles and creating spaces for young people to see their worth, pursue their dreams, and step into opportunities that were never designed for them. Above all, she carries forward the values of love, care, and integrity instilled in her by her Nan, whose legacy she continues to honor in all that she does.
📣The school year is flying, but there’s still time to bring our 2025 NAIDOC Education Resources into your classroom!
Here’s a peak at some engaging activities for Early Learning to Year 10, aligned with this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.’ Designed to be used all year round!
❤️💛🖤
Download Now: Find the official resources (developed by Culture is Life, National NAIDOC Committee, and ABC Education) on our website.
Share Your Voice: Used them already? We want to hear your experience! Complete our quick feedback survey.
🔗 Links in bio!
Professional development webinars for teaching The Australian Wars are now live on our YouTube channel! 📺
Access some of our best discussions anytime and share these essential resources with your colleagues ✨
Deepen your understanding and boost your confidence with Rachel Perkins and our team of Aboriginal educators! 🫶🏽
🔗 Link in bio!
Bek is a proud Wakaya woman, born and raised on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong. In recent years, she has lived and worked across Darwin, Brisbane, and now the Gold Coast.
At the heart of Bek’s work is a deep commitment to using her voice to empower others—especially young people—to embrace their power, identity, and creativity through the mediums that speak to them.
Fullaship Expressions of Interest Now Open!
👉🏽Link in bio
