The following lists events that happened during 1973 in Australia.
Incumbents
Monarch – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – Sir Paul Hasluck
Prime Minister – Gough Whitlam
Deputy Prime Minister – Lance Barnard
Opposition Leader – Billy Snedden
Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick
State and territory leaders
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
Governors and administrators
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
Events
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. 2 March – Wellington Street bus station in Perth is opened by Western Australia's premier John Tonkin 8 March – Whiskey Au Go Go fire 1 June – The first General Dynamics F-111 aircraft is delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force 9 June – Disappearance of Jason Shannon 19 July – Lois D'Arcy was the first independent civil marriage celebrant ever appointed – by Attorney-General Lionel Murphy. 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. Removal of the "White Australia Policy".
Arts and literature
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
Film
Alvin Purple
Television
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.
Sport
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