Leslie Massey
Australia is a union of six states and ten territories. These territories can be categorised into internal, external, self-governing and non-self-governing territories. All states and territories have the same head of state as Australia, which is currently King Charles III. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing polities, and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries and law enforcement agencies. Territories are legally subordinate to the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of States | 6 |
| Number of Territories | 10 |
| Number of Federated States | 6 |
| Number of Federal Territories | 10 |
| Number of Internal Territories | 3 |
| Number of External Territories | 7 |
| States | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia |
| Territories | Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Northern Territory, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has six states and ten territories
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The ten territories are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, the Northern Territory, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
The states and territories are the national subdivisions and the second level of government in Australia. The states are partially sovereign and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. They are self-governing and administer public policies and programs. Territories can also be autonomous and administer local policies, but they are still legally subordinate to the federal government.
Each state and territory has a unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. For example, the Northern Territory is known for its outback landscapes, including Kakadu National Park, King's Canyon, and Litchfield National Park. Queensland, also known as the 'Sunshine State', is home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Victoria, in southeastern Australia, is known for its cultural offerings and has been named the 'Most Liveable City in the World' multiple times.
The majority of Australians (79%) live in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. 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.
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Three territories are internal, seven are external
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The ten territories can be further categorised into internal and external territories.
Three territories are internal: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The Australian Capital Territory is home to Canberra, the capital of Australia, and is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural institutions. The Jervis Bay Territory is not self-governing and is run by the federal government. The Northern Territory is known for its iconic outback landscapes, Aboriginal culture, and national parks, including Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.
The remaining seven territories are external: the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island. These external territories are offshore dependent territories that are not part of the Australian mainland or any state. They are administered by the Australian government and have local government status.
It is important to note that while Tasmania is recognised as a state, some sources suggest that it operates in a "state of lawlessness", with the pretence of statehood maintained to prevent incidents with visiting filmmakers.
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All states and territories have the same head of state
Australia is a union of six states and ten territories. The six states are New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. The ten territories include internal territories like the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory, and external territories such as the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, and Christmas Island, among others.
All states and territories in Australia have the same head of state, which is a constitutional monarchy. The current monarch is His Majesty King Charles III, who has reigned since 8 September 2022. The monarchy of Australia is a fundamental aspect of the country's system of government, with a hereditary monarch serving as the nation's sovereign and head of state. The monarch acts upon the counsel of Australian state and federal ministers, and their role is distinct from the monarchy of the United Kingdom.
While the monarch is the head of state, the governor-general, currently Samantha Mostyn, acts as their representative at the federal level. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian Prime Minister. Similarly, each state has a governor who represents the monarch and is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Premier (head of government) of that state. The governor is assisted by a lieutenant-governor, typically the chief justice of the state's supreme court.
The succession laws for the monarchy were last amended in 2015, following the Perth Agreement in 2011, which removed male heir preference and repealed the Royal Marriages Act 1772. These changes were made in collaboration with the other Commonwealth realms, of which Australia is a part. The monarch of Australia is shared with 14 other Commonwealth realms, with each realm maintaining its independence.
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Most Australians live in the eastern coastal mainland states
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales (which includes Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. In addition, there are ten territories, three of which are internal: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The remaining seven are external territories: the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
The concentration of people in these cities is due to several factors, including favourable climates, fertile lands, and access to ports, which were crucial for trade and settlement during colonial times. The Great Dividing Range, located inland, creates a barrier that fosters more development along the eastern coastal regions. The southeast cities attract tourists for their beaches, parks, and cultural attractions, contributing to a strong urban economy.
Sydney, located in New South Wales, is the largest city in Australia and a major cultural and financial centre. Melbourne, in Victoria, is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse population. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, offers a warm climate and is renowned for its outdoor lifestyle. While Adelaide and Hobart are also important cities, they have smaller populations compared to the top three. Overall, the eastern coastal mainland states of Australia are characterized by high population densities, urban environments, and cultural significance, making them a popular choice for Australians to live and visit.
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Territories can be self-governing or non-self-governing
Australia has six states and ten territories. These territories can be categorised into internal, external, self-governing, and non-self-governing territories. All states and self-governing territories have an independent head of government. Territories that are not self-governing are run by the federal government.
Self-governing territories are autonomous and administer local policies and programs much like the states in practice, but are still legally subordinate to the federal government. Every state and internal territory (except the Jervis Bay Territory) is self-governing with its own independent executive government, legislature, and judicial system.
Non-self-governing territories, on the other hand, are defined by the United Nations as "territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government". In 1946, several UN member states identified a number of territories under their administration that were not self-governing and placed them on a UN list. This list included 72 territories, of which eight became independent before 1959. As of 2020, 17 non-self-governing territories remain on the agenda of the Special Committee on Decolonization.
The Australian territories of Papua New Guinea and Nauru were once administered by the federal government of Australia as de facto or de jure external territories for differing periods between 1902 and 1975. After World War II, the Territory of Papua, Territory of New Guinea, and Nauru were all controlled by the Australian government as United Nations trust territories. In 1968, Nauru was granted independence.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
There are ten territories in Australia, three of which are internal: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The remaining seven are external territories: the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
The states are partially sovereign and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. Territories are legally subordinate to the federal government, but they can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs.
New South Wales has the largest population in Australia, with its capital, Sydney, being the nation's biggest city.
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia by area, occupying the western third of the entire area of the country.
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