How did Australia get its name, and why is the national holiday so controversial? 26 January 2021 • 4:31pm It's a controversial date in Australia, but for many Down Under, Australia Day, which falls on January 26 every year, is the perfect excuse for a few beers and a barbecue. Marking the day in 1788, when British settlers arrived on Australian shores for the first time and Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove, the celebration has been part of the national calendar since 1935, and a public holiday since 1994. For millions it's an opportunity to celebrate national pride, either by going to an organised event in their community or by meeting up with family and friends on the holiday.