-
Quarantine laws
Bubonic plague triggered the introduction of strict quarantine laws which are still in place in Australia to protect the popula- tion from outbreaks of diseases in other countries. -
Bubonic plague
The plague broke out in Sydney, New South Wales killing a total of 500 people throughout the nation. The disease was carried by flea on the back of rats which lived in urban slums. -
Public health measure
Federation in 1901 provided an opportunity for the Commonwealth Government to implement public health measures even though it had limited powers in relation to health and welfare policy. -
School of tropical health
School of Tropical Health was established in Queensland to address the high rate of tropical diseases. -
Commonwealth department of health
Australia’s first Commonwealth Depart- ment of Health was established. It provided funds to assist in undertaking health research, collected data related to sanitation and disease, and encouraged the states to take action on health-related issues. -
Federal Health Council
Federal Health Council was established -
Vaccinations for diphtheria
Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1930s for diphtheria -
The depression
During the depression of the early 1930s, there was con- cern about reduced living standards and poor nutri- tion. -
Period: to
Elimination of disease
Global elimination of smallpox, with polio erad- icated from most parts of the world. -
National health and medical research council
In 1934, the federal health council was expanded to include med- ical research. It later became the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). -
Infant welfare centre
There were over 200 infant welfare centres operating in Victoria. -
Vaccinations for pertussis
Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1950s for pertussis, tetanus and poli- myelitis. -
Vaccinations for measles
Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1960s for measles