How did Australia become part of the British empire?

British settlement started 18 years later, in 1788, with the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and his First Fleet and the establishment of a penal colony. Free settlers followed and gradually spread through the whole continent. Consequently, on that date, Australia as a whole officially joined the British Empire.

British settlement started 18 years later, in 1788, with the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and his First Fleet and the establishment of a penal colony. Free settlers followed and gradually spread through the whole continent. ... Consequently, on that date, Australia as a whole officially joined the British Empire.

the answer is b: the religion they practice.

here's why:

there were many different native american tribes and those with similar characteristics formed a main tribe or nation. each had its own language, religion and customs.