On 1 January 1901, Australia became a federation of six States, as the Commonwealth of Australia, which on 1 March 1901 took over the defence forces from the States, to form the Commonwealth Naval Forces.
January 1901, Australia became a federation of six States. This was as the Commonwealth of Australia. This was on 1. The Commonwealth of Australia on 1 March 1901 took over the defence forces from the States. This was to form the Commonwealth Naval Forces.