Lyla Lindsey
Australia is a nation with a federation of six states and two federal territories. Before 1901, Australia was made up of six British colonies that were partially self-governing but under the law-making power of the British Parliament. The six colonies were joined together to create the Commonwealth of Australia, a self-governing Dominion in the British Empire. The states are partially sovereign, with their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, and judiciaries, while the territories are legally subordinate to the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Number of territories | 2 |
| Number of capital cities | 8 |
| Origin of states | Separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901 |
| Self-governing | Partially |
| Constitutions | Each state has its own |
| Legislatures | Each state has its own |
| Executive governments | Each state has its own |
| Judiciaries | Each state has its own |
| Law enforcement agencies | Each state has its own |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's six states and two territories
Australia is a multi-state nation, consisting of 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.
Before 1901, Australia consisted of six British colonies that were partially self-governing but under the law-making power of the British Parliament. In the 1880s and 1890s, it was suggested that the colonies might be stronger and more efficient if they worked together. Several conventions were held to draft a constitution for a new country, Australia. In 1899, the draft was approved by a vote of the people in a series of referendums. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies united to become a nation, and the colonies became Australia's six states.
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 territories can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs, but they are legally subordinate to the federal government. The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory operate largely indistinguishably from the states, with representation in the Parliament and the Senate, although they do not have constitutional status as states, and territorial legislation can be overridden.
The state of New South Wales includes Lord Howe Island and is home to Sydney, Australia's largest city, and its most famous landmarks, including Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and Bondi Beach. New South Wales offers indulgent wine regions, pristine seaside villages, and mountain wilderness. The state of Queensland is known as the "Sunshine State" and is home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Brisbane, the state's capital, enjoys more winter sunshine and warmth than almost anywhere else in the country.
South Australia's capital is Adelaide, a city situated between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the waters of Gulf St Vincent. Adelaide has some of Australia's best wines and is considered the wine and festival capital of Australia. Its dry climate is often compared to a Mediterranean climate. Tasmania, including Macquarie Island, is the only state to use proportional representation for elections to its lower house. Victoria has incredible museums and galleries, the majestic Grampians National Park, and the Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road. Western Australia, the largest state, is situated on the west coast of the country. Its capital, Perth, is famed for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood.
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The history of Australia's states and territories
Australia is a multi-state nation, consisting of six states and two internal territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The two internal territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra, the nation's capital. In addition, Australia has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The remaining seven are external territories, including the Australian Antarctic Territory, which is claimed by Australia but managed internationally in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty.
The states and territories are the national subdivisions and second level of government in Australia. The states are partially sovereign, with their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. They are self-governing but have ceded some rights to the federal government. Territories can also be autonomous and administer local policies, but they are legally subordinate to the federal government.
Over time, there have been changes to the territories within Australia. In 1911, the state of South Australia transferred control of the northern central mainland to the federal government, creating the Northern Territory. In the same year, a small pocket of New South Wales, including the city of Canberra, was transferred to the federal government, creating the Federal Capital Territory, which later became the Australian Capital Territory. Following World War I, the League of Nations established Australian mandates in former German territories, including New Guinea and Nauru, which became external territories of Australia. After World War II, the Australian government also controlled the Territory of Papua as a United Nations trust territory. In 1975, Papua and New Guinea were granted independence as the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
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The governing powers of states and territories
Australia is a federation of six states and ten federal territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The federal territories are the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Jervis Bay Territory, the Northern Territory (NT), 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 and territories are the second level of government in Australia. They 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 lower house of the state legislature is called the "legislative assembly", except in South Australia and Tasmania, where it is called the "house of assembly". The upper house is called the "legislative council". Each state has a governor, appointed by the monarch, who appoints the premier of the state.
The territories are governed according to Australian federal law and the laws of a state, the ACT, or NT. Most have an appointed administrator. Territory laws can be overridden by the federal Parliament at any time under Section 122 of the Constitution. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have some degree of self-government, although less than that of the states. They have unicameral legislative assemblies.
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The populations of Australia's states and territories
Australia is a multi-state nation, consisting of six federated states and ten federal territories, eight of which are external territories. The states originated as separate British colonies before Federation in 1901.
The six states are:
- New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island)
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania (including Macquarie Island)
- Victoria
- Western Australia
The three internal territories are:
- The Australian Capital Territory
- The Jervis Bay Territory
- The Northern Territory
The seven external territories are:
- The Ashmore and Cartier Islands
- The Australian Antarctic Territory
- Christmas Island
- The Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- The Coral Sea Islands
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
- Norfolk Island
The majority of Australians (79%) live in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. Sydney, located in New South Wales, is the most populated city in Australia. New South Wales is also considered the richest state in Australia.
In 2019, South Australia was the fifth-most populous state in Australia, accounting for about 7% of the country's population. By 2040, its population is expected to increase by 26% to around 2.1 million people. Queensland is the third-most populous state, with around 20% of the country's population. By 2040, its population is projected to increase to 7.3 million people. Victoria's population is expected to increase by 51% to around 8.4 million people by 2040. Western Australia is the fourth-most populous state, accounting for about 10% of the country's population. It is also the largest state in terms of land area. By 2040, its population is projected to almost double to about 4.7 million people.
As of December 2024, Australia's population was 27,400,013 people.
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The unique environments of Australia's states and territories
Australia is a multi-state nation, consisting of 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 Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Each state and territory boasts a unique environment, from rolling deserts to lush rainforests and sun-soaked cities.
New South Wales (NSW) is known for its wine regions, pristine seaside villages, and mountain wilderness. The nation's largest city, Sydney, is located on the shores of Port Jackson in NSW. The state also boasts the Sapphire Coast to the south, the Central Coast to the north, and the Blue Mountains to the west.
Queensland (QLD), also known as the 'Sunshine State', is a subtropical stretch of land in the northeast of Australia. It is home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The state's capital, Brisbane, enjoys an abundance of winter sunshine and warmth, making it ideal for outdoor activities and water sports.
The Northern Territory (NT) is renowned for its iconic outback landscapes, national parks, and Aboriginal culture. It is home to some of the country's most famous natural landmarks, including Kakadu National Park, King's Canyon, Litchfield National Park, and Uluru.
Western Australia (WA), the largest state, offers a diverse range of attractions, such as the Kimberley Region, Rottnest Island, and the Margaret River wine and surf region. The state's capital, Perth, is known for its serene beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) blends nature and culture, with monuments, museums, lakes, and wetlands. As the nation's capital, Canberra boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is home to significant institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
In addition to these six states and two territories, Australia also administers several external territories, including Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and the Australian Antarctic Territory, covering 42% of the Antarctic continent.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is a multi-state nation. It is a federation of six states and two federal territories.
Australia is divided into six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Australia has two federal territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. There are also ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories.
The states are partially sovereign and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. Territories are not claimed by any state, so they are legally subordinate to the federal government and rely on it to create and approve laws.
Before 1901, Australia consisted of six British colonies that were partly self-governing but under the law-making power of the British Parliament. It was suggested that the colonies would be stronger and more efficient if they worked together, so several conventions were held to draft a constitution for a new country, Australia. The draft was approved by a vote of the people in referendums, and on January 1, 1901, the Australian colonies united to become a nation, with the colonies becoming Australia's six states.
