Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 years since the foundation of British settlement in Australia).

A competitors' residential village was established within the grounds of the Sydney Showground.

[1][2] The star of the games was the Australian athlete Decima Norman, who won five gold medals in track and field.

Margaret Dovey, later married to Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam, finished sixth in the 220 yards breaststroke.

Due to the onset of World War II, the games were not held again until 1950.