Her Majesty's Stationery Office (Publisher), Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy, 1900

The Federation of Australia could only come about if the British Parliament passed the necessary legislation. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK) was passed on 5 July 1900. Queen Victoria gave the legislation royal assent four days later and declared that it would take effect on 1 January 1901.