Although the Australian Constitution was drafted by Australians for Australia, it had to be presented to the British Parliament for approval because, even though each State colony have a measure of independence, control was still exercised from London.  Furthermore, the draft constitution was the first of its kind in Australia as its intent was to create a new country.

The draft constitution was therefore incorporated as a schedule of an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom called the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.  This act was given royal assent on 9 July 1900 and was proclaimed on 17 September 1900. It entered into force on 1 January 1901.