A study conducted by the War Studies Research Group surveyed 1,503 Australians aged 18+ to assess public attitudes towards Australian history, with a focus on Indigenous histories.

While younger Australians (18–39) showed greater interest in and claimed knowledge of Indigenous histories compared to older age groups, they were less aware of key events such as the Stolen Generations apology.For instance, 40% of younger Australians listed Indigenous history as their top area of interest, whereas only 25% or fewer of those aged 50+ did so.

However, awareness of specific historical events varied significantly: over 70% of older Australians (70+) recognized major events like the Stolen Generations apology, while less than 10% of younger Australians (18–29) were aware of these events.This highlights a gap between generational interest and actual knowledge.

The study suggests that formal education plays a critical role in shaping historical awareness, as Indigenous history content is now part of the school curriculum.Yet, non-mandatory inclusion may limit its impact.

Ensuring broader understanding of Indigenous histories is seen as essential for reconciliation efforts, as without this knowledge, moving towards a shared future remains challenging.