The following lists events that happened during 1945 in Australia.
Incumbents
Monarch – George VI
Governor-General – Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Baron Gowrie (until 30 January), then the Duke of Gloucester Prime Minister – John Curtin (died in office 5 July), then Frank Forde (until 13 July), then Ben Chifley Chief Justice – Sir John Latham
State Premiers
Premier of New South Wales – William McKell
Premier of Queensland – Frank Cooper
Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV
Premier of Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove
Premier of Victoria – Albert Dunstan (until 2 October), then Ian MacFarlan (until 21 November), then John Cain Premier of Western Australia – John Willcock (until 31 July), then Frank Wise
State Governors
Governor of New South Wales – John Loder, 2nd Baron Wakehurst (until 6 June) Governor of Queensland – Sir Leslie Orme Wilson Governor of South Australia – Sir Charles Norrie Governor of Tasmania – Sir Ernest Clark (until 4 August), then Sir Hugh Binney (from 24 December) Governor of Victoria – Sir Winston Dugan Governor of Western Australia – none appointed
Events
30 January — Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester becomes Australia's first royal Governor-General. 31 January — A Stinson aircraft crashes in Victoria, killing all 10 on board. 9 May — Germany surrenders to the Allies, ending World War II in Europe. 26 June — Dr H. V. Evatt signs the United Nations Charter on behalf of Australia. 8 to 30 June — Perth receives of rain in twenty-three days, easily its heaviest monthly rainfall on record and unlikely to be approached due to anthropogenic global warming. 5 July — Prime Minister John Curtin dies in office from heart problems at The Lodge in Canberra. 6 July — Frank Forde is sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia, following the death of John Curtin. He will serve Australia's shortest term as Prime Minister, being replaced by Ben Chifley a week later. 7 July — The Australian 7th Division commences operations in the Battle of Balikpapan. Operations are completed by 21 July. 13 July — Ben Chifley is elected as leader of the Australian Labor Party, becoming the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. 15 August — Japan surrenders to the Allies, ending World War II. The day is known as V-P Day (Victory in the Pacific). 10 November — A general election is held in Victoria.
Science and technology
12 December – Howard Florey shares the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on penicillin.
Arts and literature
June – Ern Malley hoax
William Dargie wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Edmund Herring
Russell Drysdale paints The Drover's Wife
Film
1 May – The Australian National Film Board is established.
Sport
1 September – Eastern Suburbs defeats Balmain 22–18 in the final of the 1945 New South Wales Rugby Football League season. South Sydney finish in last place, claiming the wooden spoon. 29 September – The 1945 VFL Grand Final is held, and becomes known as the "Bloodbath" due to the wet, muddy conditions and frequent violence between players and amongst the spectators. Carlton defeats South Melbourne 15.13 (103) to 10.15 (75). 6 November – Rainbird wins the Melbourne Cup. 26 December – The first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins. The British yacht Rani wins both line honours and the handicap, arriving in Hobart on 3 January.