Lexi Webster
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Additionally, the country has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, and Norfolk Island. The remaining seven are external territories, including the Australian Antarctic Territory, which covers 42% of the continent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of States | 6 |
| State Names | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia |
| Most Populous State | New South Wales |
| Least Populous State | Tasmania |
| Largest State by Area | Western Australia |
| Smallest State by Area | Tasmania |
| Capital City | Canberra |
| Total Land Area | 7,692,024 km² |
| Total Population | 26,096,195 (2022) |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia has six states and ten federal territories
- The Northern Territory is an administrative division similar to a state
- The majority of Australians live in coastal states
- The Territory of Papua and New Guinea was placed in an administrative union after World War II
- The six states have their own constitutions and legislatures
Australia has six states and ten federal territories
Australia is a union of six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Each state has its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. They administer and deliver public policies and programs.
In addition to these six states, Australia also has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to the nation's capital, Canberra, and is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and blend of nature and culture. The Northern Territory, often referred to as "the Outback," is known for its iconic landscapes, wildlife, and Aboriginal culture. Norfolk Island is a federal external territory transferred from New South Wales to the federal government in 1913.
The remaining seven territories are external territories, including Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, and the Australian Antarctic Territory. These external territories are administered by Australia, with the Australian Antarctic Territory covering 42% of the Antarctic continent.
The states and territories of Australia offer diverse environments, cultures, and experiences, from the iconic cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth to the rolling wine regions of New South Wales and the stunning natural landscapes of the Northern Territory.
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The Northern Territory is an administrative division similar to a state
Australia is divided into several states and territories, which are the national subdivisions and the second level of government in the country. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing polities, having ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies that administer and deliver public policies and programs.
The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT) is an Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regions of Australia. It was created in 1911 when the state of South Australia transferred control of northern central mainland Australia to the federal government. The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to the east. To the north, it looks out to the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, and the Gulf of Carpentaria, including Western New Guinea and various other islands of the Indonesian archipelago. The NT covers 1,347,791 square kilometres, making it the third-largest Australian federal division and the 11th-largest country subdivision in the world.
Despite being a territory, the Northern Territory is similar to a state in several ways. The territory has a self-governing status, with the power to form a parliament and make its own laws. The Northern Territory Council for Aboriginal Rights (NTCAR) is an example of an organisation that supports the rights and interests of Territorians. The territory's legal system and jurisdiction of its courts are also similar to those of the states. For instance, the highest court is the Supreme Court, which hears appeals from lower courts and original cases involving serious crimes.
However, there are some differences between the Northern Territory and the states. The Northern Territory is seen as a dependency of the Commonwealth, with a significant portion of its revenue coming directly from the federal government. While state laws are enshrined and protected by the constitution, the Northern Territory is limited by the power granted to it by the Commonwealth, and any law made by the territory can be federally overridden. Additionally, there are differences in office titles, such as having an administrator instead of a governor and a chief minister instead of a premier.
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The majority of Australians live in coastal states
Australia is an urban coastal nation. In 2001, 85% of Australians lived within 50 kilometres of the coast, and by 2019, this number had risen to 87%. This equates to over 22 million Australians calling the coast home. 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.
The concentration of the population in coastal areas has led to increased pressures on coastal environments, with the spread of development beyond capital cities. This development carries a range of impacts, including direct habitat destruction, light pollution, and other consequences of urban infrastructure. More than 80% of Australians live near coastlines, many of which are already light-polluted. As human expansion further threatens the integrity of coastlines, the associated increase in light pollution threatens the potential health and wellbeing benefits of living on the coast.
Historically, the British colonisation of Australia played a significant role in shaping the population distribution in the country. The British needed a colony on the east coast to forestall the French, and Sydney, with its excellent port, was endorsed by James Cook. Tasmania, with its favourable conditions for agriculture, timber, sealing, and whaling, suited early development. Sydney, on the other hand, thrived based on wool, grain, and livestock. The colonies expanded over time, and the population grew, with the most popular route during the 1800s being via Australia's southern coast or around Cape York via Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
The state of Victoria, the second most populated state, played a significant role in the 1850s gold rush, which contributed to its population growth. The Yarra River, where squatters landed and formed what became Melbourne, also attracted settlers due to its favourable conditions. The climate of the southeast coast of Australia, similar to that of Great Britain, was another factor that attracted British settlers. They could be assured of the successful adaptation of their crops and livestock, which, coupled with the excellent harbors at Sydney and Melbourne, created a snowball effect of population growth.
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The Territory of Papua and New Guinea was placed in an administrative union after World War II
Australia is comprised of six federated states and ten federal territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The states are partially sovereign and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies.
Following the war, the Papua and New Guinea Act of 1949 united the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea as the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. This administrative union was later renamed Papua New Guinea in 1971. The Territory of Papua retained a distinct legal status and identity as a Possession of the Crown, while the Territory of New Guinea was initially a League of Nations mandate territory and later a United Nations trust territory.
In 1946, the Territory of New Guinea was declared a United Nations trust territory under Australian governance, and in 1949, Papuans became Australian citizens. The administrative union of the territories was continued after the war, and village councils were established in both territories in 1949, marking the beginning of a shift towards leaders with administrative or business expertise. The 1960s and 1970s saw significant social changes as more of the population began to participate in the formal economy, and Australian administrators promoted a shared national identity. English was introduced as a potential unifying language, and many Papua New Guineans viewed it as a prestigious language.
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The six states have their own constitutions and legislatures
Australia is a federation of six states, each with its own constitution and legislature. These states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing polities, having ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government.
Each state has its own constitution, which serves as a foundational legal document to govern the state's legislative, executive, and judicial branches. These constitutions are separate from the Australian Constitution, which governs the federal government of Australia and is the relevant constitutional document for each of Australia's territories.
The state constitutions in Australia are the legal documents that establish and define the structure, powers, and functions of the six state governments. Each state constitution preceded the federal Constitution of Australia, as the constitutions of the then six self-governing colonies. Upon federation in 1901, the states ceded certain powers to the federal government.
The state governments function within the framework of a federal system, where powers are divided between the federal government and state governments. While there are some similarities among the state constitutions, each state has its unique provisions and structures. Generally, state constitutions establish a system of responsible government, where the executive is accountable to the legislative branch.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is a union of six states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The capitals of these states are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Hobart, respectively.
Yes, Australia has two internal territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra. There are also six external territories: Norfolk Island, Coral Sea Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
Western Australia is the largest state, situated on the west coast of the country.
The Northern Territory is an administrative division in northern Australia that is similar to a state.
