[citation needed] An earlier experiment with Fabianism in Australia was initiated in Adelaide in 1891 by the Rev Charles Marson,[5] who had joined the Fabians in London in 1885 and drew in trade unionists like David Charleston, Robert Guthrie and John McPherson as well as social reformers like James & Lucy Morice into the first overseas branch of the UK Fabian Society.

[6] The Australian members retained their membership for ten years until the Adelaide branch was wound up in 1902.

Another South Australian branch had an inaugural dinner 1938,[7] but The society in its current form wasn't founded until 1947.

[11][12][13][14][15] In 2020 the Fabians began publishing the Australian Fabian Review a magazine featuring "...original essays, interviews, letters, book reviews and fiction from a wide range of important progressive voices, from politicians, union officials, and community leaders to academics, activists and Australian icons."

[16][17] The Australian Fabians' Statement of Purpose states:[18] Australian Fabians promote the common good and foster the advance of social democracy in Australia through reasoned debate by: a) Contributing to progressive political thinking by generating ideas that reflect a level of thinking that meets the challenges of the times.