There are several points to consider when answering this question, the first being that Australia was considered ‘settled’ when Captain Cook discovered the land. However, an opposing viewpoint is that Australia was already settled, with its original first landowners who had inhabited the land for 65,000 years. Secondly, the terms colonisation and settlement are often used when discussing the history of Australia; this viewpoint is changing, and how the history of Australia being taught is being contested, to consider the historical perspectives of all Australians. This particularly pertains to Indigenous Australians who often view this time in history as invasion rather than settlement or colonisation. 

As an educator, it is important to facilitate students to develop an understanding of Australia’s history from many perspectives. This will mean allowing the students to research, discuss, analyse, collaborate and form their own opinions and ethical understanding based on factual information. For this to occur all aspects of Australian history will need to be presented to the students, I will aim to provide students with opportunities to understand Australian history from all perspectives and not ignore or omit the impact colonisation had on the first nations people of Australia. This will need to be done in a culturally respectful and age-appropriate way, as it may be confronting for members of the class.