The work of anthologists is important for literary appreciation. Their work gives a taste of different genres and historical periods.  A select list follows.

The Australian Collection: Australia's Greatest Books, selected by Geoffrey Dutton
Along with a short excerpt from each work, Dutton provides a summary essay, and a brief illustrated biography.

Australian Verse: an Oxford Anthology
A thorough survey of poetry by Australians in English, arranged in reverse chronological order.

Ethnic Australia
Jews, Greeks, Italians, Germans and others write of life and death, family, war, broken ties with their backgrounds and the humorous situations that can occur when adapting to a new culture.

Macmillan Anthology of Australian Literature
Includes poetry and prose, extracts from plays and journals, along with an informative introduction to each themed section.

The Oxford Anthology of Australian Literature
Ranges from extracts of First Fleet journals to the latest poetry and prose.

The Oxford Book of Australian Essays
Essays by leading Australian writers from all periods, including the "heyday" years of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Oxford Book of Australian Short Stories
Ranges across 120 years, representing both realist and experimental approaches.

The Penguin Book of Australian Ballads
Includes old favourites and rediscovered verse and song.

Poetry in Australia : Volume 1 & Volume 2
The emphasis is on quality rather than comprehensiveness.