When was Christianity established as a major religion in Australia?

Christianity began to establish a notable presence in Australia following the First Fleet's arrival in 1788, which marked the beginning of European settlement. It was during this early period that the Anglican Church was formed as the dominant religious institution. However, the question specifically refers to when Christianity was recognized as a major religion.

The first census in Australia was conducted in 1841, but it wasn't until the census of 1947 that substantial data on religious affiliation began to be collected consistently and provided a clearer picture of the religious landscape, highlighting the significant presence of Christianity among Australians. This census data indicated that a large portion of the population identified as Christian, effectively showcasing the religion's dominance in Australian society by the mid-20th century.

The other options do not accurately reflect the timeline of Christianity’s establishment as a major religion in Australia. Christianity was present before European settlement, but it was not recognized as a major religion then. The 1960s saw significant shifts in religious identification, while after World War I, although there was an increase in religious identification, the changes in census data by 1947 provide a clearer identification of Christianity as a major religion by that point.