The Australian Wars

The Australian Wars is an award-winning three-part documentary series directed by Rachel Perkins and produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. The series investigates the truth of the Frontier Wars — the longest and most defining conflict on this continent — revealing stories historically denied or minimised in mainstream narratives.

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.

Through historical analysis, archival records, expert commentary and powerful First Nations oral histories, The Australian Wars offers a deeper, more honest understanding of this defining chapter in Australian history.

“The starting point is that this is not just an Indigenous story to tell...Because in any war there are different sides. So even though I’m an Aboriginal person, I didn’t just want to tell the Aboriginal side. Non-Indigenous Australians are bound up in this as well, we all live in this country together."

Rachel Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon)

Education and Impact

Recognising the documentary’s immense educational importance, Rachel Perkins, Blackfella Films and SBS Learn partnered with Culture is Life to develop curriculum-aligned resources for secondary schools across Australia.

The Australian Wars Education & Impact project is rooted in truth-telling and cultural care. The free resources (Years 8–12) explore the themes of the series, the ongoing impacts of colonisation, and the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander oral histories. They support teachers and students to engage meaningfully with local history, respectful classroom practice and the broader work of understanding and healing from our shared past.

To learn more and explore the resources visit Culture is Life’s website.

"A lot of Aboriginal people have been the vessels for carrying with history. Aboriginal people have handed down the stories of what happened to them, to us, in our families. So, I grew up knowing about the massacre of my people in Queensland...&

"These were the wars that were fought in Australia, and they were the wars that really made the modern Australian state." - Rachel Perkins (Kalkadoon and Arrernte), Filmmaker

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@sbs_australia @bl

"The Australian Wars is another landmark documentary series from Blackfella Films and SBS, telling the story of Australia's history in a way we've not seen on our screens before. It will challenge perceptions and ignite important discussion.

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"The view was that it was too small and scattered to be considered having the gravity of warfare. There were no uniforms, no marching soldiers... Never really was a case of large formations and battles in the classical sense, but nonetheless, it

A Blackfella Films production, developed and produced in association with SBS.

In association with Shark Island Foundation.

Education and Impact Project by Culture is Life.