Lyla Lindsey
Australia is a relatively large country, being the largest island in the world but the smallest continent. The country is divided into six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. In addition, there are two internal territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra, the capital of Australia. Australia also administers six external territories, including Norfolk Island and Christmas Island, and claims the right to administer a portion of Antarctica.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Federated States | 6 |
| Federated States | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia |
| Number of Territories | 10 |
| Territories | Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island, Coral Sea Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, Nauru |
| Number of External Territories | 6 |
| External Territories | Norfolk Island, Coral Sea Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
| Number of Internal Territories | 3 |
| Internal Territories | Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island |
| Number of Self-Governing Territories | 3 |
| Self-Governing Territories | ACT, Northern Territory, Norfolk Island |
| Population Distribution | 79% of Australians live in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has six states and two territories
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Each state has its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies, and they have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. The territories are legally subordinate to the federal government but can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs.
The states and territories of Australia are the national subdivisions and the second level of government. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing polities. They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies that administer and deliver public policies and programs. The lower house of the legislature is called the "legislative assembly" in most states, except in South Australia and Tasmania, where it is called the "house of assembly."
The territories of Australia are either internal or external. The two internal territories, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, have their own parliaments and can pass legislation. The other territories are under the control of the Federal Government and are administered by them. The three self-governing territories, the ACT, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island, each have unicameral legislative assemblies. The legislative assembly for the ACT is the only parliament with responsibility for both state/territory and local government functions.
The majority of Australians live in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory, which collectively forms 79% of the entire population of Australia. Most of the major population centres are located east and south of the Great Dividing Range on the coastal plains and their associated hinterland regions. Tasmania, an island state separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait, is known for its dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and gorgeous rivers. Victoria, with its capital Melbourne, is the cultural heart of Australia.
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The six states are partially sovereign
Australia is a federal country with a national government and individual state governments. The six states—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania—are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing polities. While they have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government, they retain a significant degree of autonomy. Each state has its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies, allowing them to administer and deliver public policies and programs.
The states' partial sovereignty is reflected in their legislative assemblies, which are responsible for enacting laws and policies specific to their respective states. For example, the lower house of the legislative assembly is called the "house of assembly" in South Australia and Tasmania, while in the other states, it is referred to as the "legislative assembly." Additionally, Tasmania is the only state to use proportional representation for elections to its lower house, while the other states elect members from single-member constituencies using preferential voting.
The upper house, known as the "legislative council," is generally elected from multi-member constituencies using proportional representation across all states. However, Queensland stands out as the only state to have abolished its upper house in 1922, opting for a unicameral legislative assembly.
While the states have considerable autonomy, they coexist with the federal government, which holds specific powers and responsibilities. The federal government also administers the territories, including the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and external territories such as Norfolk Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory. These territories have varying degrees of autonomy, with some possessing their own legislative assemblies and the power to pass legislation, while others are directly administered by the federal government.
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The territories are legally subordinate to the federal government
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories, with the majority of Australians living in the eastern coastal mainland states. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing, but they have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. The territories, on the other hand, are legally subordinate to the federal government. While they can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs, they are ultimately under the control of the federal government.
The ten federal territories include three internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland. The other seven territories are external territories, such as the Australian Antarctic Territory and Norfolk Island, which are offshore dependent territories. Each external territory is regulated by an Act of the federal Parliament, which determines the legal and political structure of that territory.
The Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation, and under Section 122 of the Australian Constitution, it has the power to make laws for all territories, including external territories. This means that Commonwealth laws apply automatically to the territories unless expressly stated otherwise. The Federal Parliament has also amended the self-government Acts, giving it the power to veto territory laws.
While the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have their own parliaments and can pass legislation, they were administered by the federal government until they were granted self-government through the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988. The Australian Capital Territory is unique in that its parliament combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government.
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The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory can pass legislation
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories, including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have parliaments and can pass legislation. However, they are restricted in their authority and have different rights compared to the six Australian states.
The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have government websites with links to their government papers. The Australian Capital Territory is unique in Australia as its Parliament combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government. The ACT Legislative Assembly is the only parliament with responsibility for both state/territory and local government functions.
The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory each have two senators, while the states have 12 apiece, adding up to a total of 76 nationally. While the territories were initially not given the right to vote in referendums, this was overturned in 1977 under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. Despite this, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory still have different voting powers to the states in referendums.
The Northern Territory was formed in 1911 when South Australia ceded the land to the Commonwealth government, deeming it "unprofitable." The Australian Capital Territory was formed in 1909 as the seat of the new government of Australia under the newly formed Australian Constitution.
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The territories include external territories such as Norfolk Island
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, with Norfolk Island being one of the external territories. Located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,040 miles (1,675 kilometres) northeast of Sydney, Norfolk Island is one of Australia's most isolated communities and one of its oldest territories. The island was settled just six weeks after Australia's founding settlement at Sydney, New South Wales, and has a rich history. With a diverse environment and notable historical sites, Norfolk Island offers a unique heritage that is seldom found elsewhere in Australia or the world. The island is also of major biological importance, with many native species unique to its shores.
Norfolk Island has a population of around 2,188 people as of 2021, with approximately 25% tracing their ancestry to the mutineers of the British ship HMS Bounty. The mutiny took place in 1789, and in 1856, the descendants of these mutineers settled on Norfolk Island, bringing with them a unique culture and language. The island's isolation and self-governance have contributed to its distinct character.
In terms of governance, Norfolk Island enjoyed self-governance from 1979 until 2015. During this period, it was governed by the Norfolk Island Act 1979, which allowed for the election of a Legislative Assembly by popular vote. However, in 2015, the Australian government implemented comprehensive reforms, abolishing the Legislative Assembly and placing the territory under the administration of an Administrator and an advisory council. This change was justified by the need to address sustainability issues arising from the self-government model.
Despite its external territory status, Norfolk Island is an integral part of Australia. The High Court upheld this decision in 1976, rejecting the argument that the island was not constitutionally part of Australia. Today, Norfolk Island is subject to most Australian Commonwealth laws, including those related to taxation, social security, immigration, customs, and health. Its residents vote in Australian federal elections, and travel between the island and mainland Australia is considered domestic.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is made up of six states and ten territories.
The six Australian states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The ten territories of Australia are the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island, Coral Sea Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Heard Island, McDonald Islands, and Jervis Bay Territory.
The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory.
