Active Australian interest in Knight Masonry first developed in the latter part of the 1980s. As far as is known, at least in modern times, the first Australian Mason to join the Order was Sir Kt. Kent Henderson, who took the Degrees in Darius Council No. 36 in Dublin in January 1993. However, another Australian-resident Mason of Irish descent, the late Sir Kt. Dr. Sam Hogg, had earlier joined the Order in Belfast in the early 1980s.

Sir Kt. Robert Barnes joined Media Council No. 13 in February 1993 and, together with Sir Kt. Henderson, actively encouraged other Australians to join the Order. Several did so in Ireland, South Africa, and Hong Kong. From this growing interest emerged a plan to establish a Council in Melbourne. These early efforts received strong support from the then Grand Scribe, R.E. Sir Kt. Bernard Woods.

Despite this encouragement, initial attempts were unsuccessful. At the time, the Holy Royal Arch Supreme Grand Chapter of Victoria retained control over the Red Cross of Babylon Degrees, even though they were not being worked, on the basis that they might be worked in the future. Several years passed, yet the determination of the early members remained undiminished.

Ultimately, approval was granted by the Grand Lodge of Tasmania for a Council to be formed within its jurisdiction. Existing Australian Sir Knights promptly petitioned Grand Council for a warrant, which was successfully granted. Consequently, four Australian Sir Knights, Robert Barnes, Kent Henderson, Ian Blair, and Dr. Sam Hogg, travelled to Dublin for the Constitution of Nebuchadnezzar Council No. 85 on 3 June 2003. At that meeting, E. Sir Kt. Ian Blair was installed as the first Excellent Chief. The Council has since worked happily and successfully at Launceston, Tasmania.

Encouraged by this success, renewed efforts were made to obtain approval for Knight Masonry to operate in Victoria, where the majority of Australian members resided. During this period, the Victorian Supreme Grand Chapter determined that it would not commence working the Red Cross of Babylon Degrees within its jurisdiction.

As a result, largely through the persistent diplomacy of E. Sir Kt. Robert Barnes, local approval was granted, with Masonic authorities in Victoria being satisfied that Knight Masonry would complement the Victorian Royal Arch and should be encouraged.

Accordingly, Esdras Council No. 90 was constituted in Melbourne on 11 November 2006 on behalf of the Most Excellent Great Chief by R.E. Sir Kt. Michael Ward, Grand Superintendent for Leinster and Overseas, assisted by R.E. Sir Kt. Sean McCabe, then Grand Scribe. Around the same time, and through the facilitation of (now) V.E. Sir Kt. Robert Barnes, R.E. Sir Kt. Michael Ward also travelled to Auckland, New Zealand, to constitute Harp of Erin Council No. 91.

With increasing interest arising in Victoria, South Australia, and subsequently New South Wales, V.E. Sir Kt. Robert Barnes conveyed three petitions for new Councils, Ecbatana, Duke of Leinster, and Leinster Marine, to Grand Council at its meetings in December 2007 and January 2008. These petitions were approved. Both Adelaide and Sydney possessed Irish-chartered Royal Arch Chapters, thereby allowing the Irish system of Masonry to be completed in South Australia and New South Wales.

By this time, Australia was on the cusp of having five vibrant and geographically dispersed Councils. The Most Excellent Great Chief considered it appropriate that a Province of Australia be established to ensure the efficient administration and future growth of Knight Masonry throughout the country.

Accordingly, at a meeting of Grand Council held at the Masonic Hall, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, on 14 June 2008, the Most Excellent Great Chief, M.E. Sir Kt. Bernard Woods, sought and received approval for the creation of a new Grand Council Province, to be known as the Province of Australia. The appointment of a Right Excellent Provincial Grand Superintendent and a Right Excellent Provincial Deputy Grand Superintendent was also approved.

The Most Excellent Great Chief, accompanied by the Right Excellent Deputy Great Chief, Sir Kt. Timothy Coulter, subsequently travelled to Australia. During this visit, Leinster Marine Council No. 95 was constituted in Sydney on Saturday 13 September 2008; Duke of Leinster Council No. 93 in Adelaide on Saturday 20 September 2008; and Ecbatana Council No. 94 at Ringwood, Melbourne, on Saturday 27 September 2008.

In recognition of their immense contribution over nearly twenty years, the Most Excellent Great Chief saw fit to acknowledge the outstanding service rendered to the Order by V.E. Sir Kt. Robert Barnes and E. Sir Kt. Kent Henderson, without whom Knight Masonry would not have been established in Australia, by appointing them as Provincial Grand Superintendent and Deputy Provincial Grand Superintendent respectively.

The Province of Australia was formally constituted, and R.E. Sir Kt. Robert Barnes and R.E. Sir Kt. Kent Henderson were obligated into their respective offices, at a Special Meeting of Grand Council convened by the Most Excellent Great Chief in Melbourne on Monday 29 September 2008. The occasion was attended by a substantial number of Australian and New Zealand Knight Masons and concluded with a celebratory dinner.