"1901 The first step towards metrication in Australia was taken during the term of the first Parliament after Federation. It was moved that Australia consider the adoption of the metric units of weights and measures.
1947 Australia signed the Treaty of the Metre which made metric units legal for use in Australia. 1970 The Metric Conversion Act was passed and received Royal Assent. The Metric Conversion Board was established and Australia commenced the change to metric units. 1971 By the end of 1971, the Australian wool industry had converted to the SI system. 1972 The packaging of grains, dairy products and eggs went metric and the SI system was introduced to primary school education. 1973 The SI system was introduced to secondary school education. The year 1973 also saw the conversion of packaging of some small goods e. g. tobacco, sugar and peanuts. The tanning industry also underwent conversion. 1974 By the end of 1974, most industries in Australia had converted to metric, e. g. building industry . timber, paper and printing industry . agricultural and veterinary chemicals . meteorological services . photography . postal and communication charges . road transport and travel . textile industry . gas & electricity services . land & surveying . sport & recreation . water & sewerage . mining & metallurgy . rubber, chemicals & petroleum derivatives . fabricated metal products . automotive engineering . all beverages apart from spirits . ship building . aeronautical engineering. 1976 By the end of 1976, all packaged goods were required to be labelled in metric sizes, and the following were also converted to metric: . air transport industry . food energy . petrol pumps . machine tools . electronic and electrical engineering appliance manufacturing. 1981 The Metric Conversion Board was dissolved. 1984 Responsibility for the completion of metrication was transferred to the National Standards Commission. 1987 Real Estate dealings went metric. 1988 Withdrawal of remaining imperial units from general legal use." http://www.nsc.gov.au/PDF_WORD/Info/L03.pdf -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794
