1973 in Australia

Decades:
See also:	Other events of 1973; Timeline of Australian history;

The following lists events that happened during 1973 in Australia.

Incumbents

Premier of New South Wales – Sir Robert Askin
- Opposition Leader – Pat Hills (until 17 November), then Neville Wran
Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen
- Opposition Leader – Jack Houston
Premier of South Australia – Don Dunstan
- Opposition Leader – Bruce Eastick
Premier of Tasmania – Eric Reece
- Opposition Leader – Max Bingham
Premier of Victoria – Rupert Hamer
- Opposition Leader – Clyde Holding
Premier of Western Australia – John Tonkin
- Opposition Leader – Sir Charles Court

Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler
Governor of Queensland – Sir Colin Hannah
Governor of South Australia – Sir Mark Oliphant
Governor of Tasmania – Lieutenant General Sir Edric Bastyan (until 30 November), then Sir Stanley Burbury
Governor of Victoria – Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe
Governor of Western Australia – Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew
Administrator of Norfolk Island – Edward Pickerd
Administrator of the Northern Territory – Frederick Chaney (until 10 December), then Jock Nelson
Administrator/High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea – Les Johnson

10 February – Australia's first casino, the Wrest Point Hotel Casino, opens in Hobart
28 February – The federal voting age is lowered from 21 to 18. The state of New South Wales had already enacted such a change in 1970.
8 March – Whiskey Au Go Go fire
1 June – The first General Dynamics F-111 aircraft is delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force
25 August - Disappearance of Joanne Ratcliffe and Kirste Gordon
20 October – Sydney Opera House officially opened by Elizabeth II
1 December – Papua New Guinea is granted self-government prior to independence
31 December – AC/DC perform their first major gig in Sydney Australia.
Removal of "White Australia Policy".

Patrick White is announced as Australian of the Year
21 September – The Jackson Pollock painting Blue Poles is controversially purchased by the Whitlam government for US$2 million (A$1.3 million).
"No award" was made for the Miles Franklin Award

Certain Women (TV series) commences
The novel Seven Little Australians adapted for television (10 part series)
The New South Wales Rugby Football League negotiates its first television deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

8 September – Derek Clayton wins his fourth men's national marathon title, clocking 2:12:07.6 in Perth.
15 September – Manly-Warringah defeated Cronulla-Sutherland 10–7 in the 1973 NSWRFL season Grand Final, claiming their second straight premiership. Penrith finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon.
Gala Supreme wins the Melbourne Cup
Western Australia wins the Sheffield Shield
Helsall takes line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Ceil III is the handicap winner
Australia defeats South Africa 3–0 in the Federation Cup