Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's transition to the metric system began in 1966 with the conversion to decimal currency. In 1947, Australia signed the Metre Convention, making metric units legal in the country. However, the metrication process, which lasted from 1969 to 1977, involved a series of gradual changes. The Australian Metric Conversion Act was passed in 1970, creating the Metric Conversion Board to facilitate the transition. By 1971, the Australian wool industry had converted to the metric system, and in 1974, Australia's roads also made the change. The process was supported by an effective publicity campaign, including television advertisements, lecture tours, posters, and the distribution of metric-sized items. Western Australia fully implemented the metric system in 1988, completing metrication nationwide, and making SI units the only legal units of measurement in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When did Australia start using the metric system? | Australia signed the Metre Convention in 1947, making metric units legal for use in the country. |
| When did Australia complete the switch to the metric system? | Metrication was completed nationwide in 1988, with Western Australia being the last state to fully implement the change. |
| When did Australia start the process of metrication? | The process of metrication began in the mid-1960s, with the pharmaceutical industry adopting the metric system in 1965, and much of the chemical and electronics industries following suit. |
| When did Australia pass the legislation for the metric system? | On June 12, 1970, the Australian Parliament passed the Australian Metric Conversion Act, which created the Metric Conversion Board to facilitate the conversion from imperial to metric units. |
| When did Australia start implementing the metric system? | The implementation of the metric system began in 1971 under the direction of the Metric Conversion Board, with the Australian wool industry converting to the new system in the same year. |
| When did Australia start using the metric system on roads? | Australia transitioned to the metric system on roads in July 1974, with the introduction of new speed limits and road signs. |
| What was the impact of the metric system on horse racing? | An early change due to metrication was the Melbourne Cup distance being changed from 2 miles to 3,200 meters, with the first metric race held in November 1972. |
| What was the impact of the metric system on weather reporting? | The Australian Bureau of Meteorology introduced the metric system for weather reporting and forecasts, using jingles to educate the public about temperature sensations in degrees Celsius. |
| What industries were early adopters of the metric system? | The pharmaceutical, chemical, electronics, and automobile industries were early adopters of the metric system, with one major automobile manufacturer announcing its intention to use metric units before the government's decision. |
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What You'll Learn
Metrication began in 1966 with decimal currency
Australia's transition to the metric system began in 1966 with the conversion to decimal currency under the Decimal Currency Board. This marked the start of the country's journey towards metrication, which was completed in 1988.
Before the 1970s, Australia primarily used imperial units of measurement, a legacy of its colonial ties with the United Kingdom. However, the metric system gained legal recognition in 1947 when Australia signed the Metre Convention. The pharmaceutical industry had adopted the metric system by 1965, and many sectors of the chemical and electronics industries followed suit as they had no imperial units.
In 1968, a Senate committee unanimously concluded that it was practical and desirable for Australia to adopt the metric system. This led to the passing of the Australian Metric Conversion Act in 1970, which established the Metric Conversion Board to oversee the transition. The Board's efforts included a successful public relations campaign, with the introduction of "Metric Kate", a cartoon character designed to assist the public in understanding the metric system.
The conversion to metric motoring on Australian roads commenced on July 1, 1974, with television advertisements educating the public about the new speed limits and road signs. The Australian wool industry also embraced the metric system in 1971, and by 1972, the Melbourne Cup had undergone metrication, with the race distance changed from 2 miles to 3,200 meters.
During the transition period, the National Measurement Institute played a crucial role in advising the government on the scientific, technical, and legislative aspects of the new measurement system. The process of metrication was generally smooth, with minimal opposition, and by 1988, Western Australia had fully implemented the changes, making metrication a nationwide achievement.
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Metric motoring commenced in July 1974
Australia's transition to the metric system, or metrication, took place in stages over several decades. The country's early measurement system was inherited from England, with some local variations, in the early years of the colony.
In 1947, Australia signed the Metre Convention, making metric units legal for use in the country. However, the process of metrication did not begin in earnest until the 1960s, with the pharmaceutical industry adopting the metric system in 1965, followed by much of the chemical and electronics industries.
In 1970, the Australian Parliament passed the Metric Conversion Act, which established the Metric Conversion Board to facilitate the conversion of measurements from imperial to metric. This marked the beginning of a more active phase of metrication, with the Australian wool industry converting to the metric system in 1971.
The process of metrication continued throughout the 1970s, with the conversion to metric motoring being just one part of a broader transition to the metric system across various industries and sectors in Australia. By 1981, the Metric Conversion Board was dissolved, and the conversion to the metric system was largely complete, with Western Australia fully implementing the change in 1988.
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Metric Kate: a fictional character to assist the public
In the early 1970s, Australia created Metric Kate, a fictional character to help the public understand and embrace the country's transition from the imperial system of measurement to the metric system. This cartoon character, a blond-haired woman wearing a revealing pink and white dress and pink high heels, was designed to assist Australians with the process of metrication. The name Metric Kate is a playful take on the word "metricate".
The story of Metric Kate begins in the mid-20th century when Australia's measurement system was inherited from England, a legacy of its colonial past. In 1947, Australia took a significant step towards metrication by signing the Metre Convention, making metric units legal in the country. However, it wasn't until the mid-1960s that serious consideration was given to aligning with other countries that used the metric system. Proponents of metric reform emphasised the efficiency and simplicity of the metric system in teaching and everyday use.
The Australian government actively supported the transition to the metric system. In 1968, a Senate committee unanimously concluded that adopting the metric system was both practical and desirable for Australia. The following year, in 1969, the government announced its decision to make the change. The Australian Metric Conversion Act was passed in 1970, establishing the Metric Conversion Board to oversee the conversion process. This marked the beginning of a well-publicised transition period that lasted until 1977.
During this time, Metric Kate became a familiar face to Australians, featured in educational materials, advertisements, and public awareness campaigns. She helped Australians understand the new system and the importance of learning metric equivalents to ensure a smooth transition in their daily lives, especially on the roads. The process of metrication was generally well-received by the Australian public, with limited opposition.
By 1981, the Metric Conversion Board was dissolved, and in 1988, with Western Australia's full implementation of the metric system, Australia completed its nationwide metrication. Today, the metric system is the only legal system of measurement in Australia, and Metric Kate is remembered as a pivotal character in this transition, celebrated for her contributions to the widespread adoption of the metric system in the country.
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The Metric Conversion Board was dissolved in 1981
Australia's transition to the metric system began in 1966 with the conversion to decimal currency. The process of metrication, which lasted from 1969 to 1977, was accompanied by an effective publicity campaign that included lecture tours, advertisements, posters, and the free distribution of metric-sized items. The Australian Metric Conversion Act, passed in 1970, established the Metric Conversion Board to oversee the conversion of measurements from imperial to metric. The Board played a crucial role in facilitating the change to metric in various sectors, including industry, education, and transportation.
The Metric Conversion Board's activities extended across multiple sectors. In 1971, the Australian wool industry successfully converted to the metric system under the Board's guidance. The following year, horse racing followed suit, with the Melbourne Cup distance adjusted to 3,200 meters. By September 1972, air temperatures were reported in Celsius, aided by catchy jingles that helped the public understand the new temperature scale. The Board also oversaw the transition in the building industry, which became the first major industry grouping to complete its change to metric. Standard AS 1155-1974, "Metric Units for Use in the Construction Industry," specified the use of millimetres as the small unit for the metrication upgrade.
The Metric Conversion Board's efforts extended to the education sector as well. By 1973, all primary schools had adopted the metric system, and secondary schools followed suit. To ensure a smooth transition on roads, the Board played a role in public education initiatives. Television advertisements, pamphlets, and dual speedometers in vehicles all contributed to a safe changeover period. The conversion to metric motoring commenced on July 1, 1974, with new road signs and speed limits in metric units.
Despite the successful progress, the Metric Conversion Board faced challenges. Polling revealed that many people were independently learning metric units, rendering systematic education programs unnecessary and potentially counterproductive. As a result, the Board opted not to implement extensive education initiatives. The Board spent A$5.955 million during its 11 years of operation, and its efforts laid the groundwork for Australia's transition to the metric system. In 1981, the Metric Conversion Board was dissolved, marking a shift in the responsibility for the conversion process. The federal government provided $10 million to support the states in their continued transition, and the National Standards Commission oversaw the final phase of the conversion from 1984 to 1988.
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Metrication was completed nationwide in 1988
Australia's transition to the metric system was a gradual process that spanned several decades. The country's journey towards metrication began as early as 1947 when it signed the Metre Convention, making metric units legal for use. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that serious consideration was given to aligning with other countries that used the metric system. The Australian Metric Conversion Act was passed in 1970, establishing the Metric Conversion Board to facilitate the transition from imperial to metric units.
The process of metrication officially began in 1971 under the direction of the Metric Conversion Board, and it actively proceeded until the board was disbanded in 1981. During this period, the board utilised lecture tours, advertisements, posters, and the free distribution of metric-sized items to promote the change. One notable campaign targeted motorists, educating them about the new speed limits and road signs.
While the metric system gained traction in various industries, it wasn't until 1988 that Western Australia fully implemented the change, marking the completion of metrication nationwide. From 1984 to 1988, the responsibility for this transition rested with the National Standards Commission, later renamed the National Measurement Institute in the same year that nationwide metrication was achieved.
The success of Australia's transition to the metric system stands in contrast to the experiences of some other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, which have faced challenges in fully embracing the metric system. Today, SI units are the only legal units of measurement in Australia, reflecting the country's comprehensive adoption of the metric system.
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Frequently asked questions
Metric units first became legal for use in Australia in 1947 when the country signed the Metre Convention.
The transition to the metric system began in the mid-1960s, with the pharmaceutical industry adopting the metric system in 1965. The Australian Metric Conversion Act was passed in 1970, creating the Metric Conversion Board to facilitate the transition.
Metrication was completed nationwide in 1988 when Western Australia fully implemented the change, and the metric system became the only system of legal measurements in Australia.
One challenge was the need to educate the public about the new system, especially regarding road safety and speed limits. There was also a need to update signage and speedometers in older vehicles that still used imperial units.
Pro-metric reform advocates cited efficiency and simplicity in teaching as reasons for the change. Additionally, the metric system was already widely embraced worldwide, and the transition would align Australia with international standards.
