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Australia is a federation consisting of six states and ten territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The capital cities of these states are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Hobart, respectively. The ten territories include three internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island. The remaining territories are external territories, such as the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, and the Coral Sea Islands. Each state and internal territory has its own government and legislature, with the power to legislate on matters concerning its citizens, while the external territories are legally subordinate to the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Names of states | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania |
| Number of territories | 10 |
| Names of 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, Australian Antarctic Territory |
| Type of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Head of state | King Charles III |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Anthony Albanese |
| Legislature | Bicameral Parliament, comprising the monarch, the Senate, and the House of Representatives |
| Executive | Led by the Prime Minister and their chosen Cabinet and other ministers |
| Judicial system | Federal High Court of Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's six states and ten territories
Australia is a union of six states and ten territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The ten territories include three internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory (NT). 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.
Each state has a governor, appointed by the monarch, who is advised by the state premier. The Administrator of the Northern Territory, on the other hand, is appointed by the governor-general. The Australian Capital Territory does not have a governor or administrator; instead, the Assembly and chief minister exercise the functions of the head of the Executive.
The states and internal territories (except Jervis Bay Territory) are self-governing with their own independent executive governments, legislatures, and judicial systems. They have their own constitutions, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies, and they may legislate on matters concerning their citizens, subject to the limits of the federal constitution. The Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation, and the High Court of Australia acts as the final court of appeal for all matters. While the external territories are constitutionally part of Australia, they are governed by the federal government and subject to the judiciary and legislature of either a state or internal territory.
Each state and territory offers a unique mix of environments, cultures, and experiences. New South Wales, the nation's most populous state, boasts indulgent wine regions, pristine seaside villages, and mountain wilderness. Victoria, with its capital Melbourne, is known for its thriving arts and culture scene. Queensland, the 'Sunshine State', is famous for its subtropical climate, the Great Barrier Reef, and ancient Daintree Rainforest. Western Australia, the largest state, offers a diverse range of experiences, from the Kimberley Region to the idyllic Rottnest Island. South Australia, known as the 'Festival State', hosts over 500 events and festivals annually. Tasmania, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and picturesque rivers. Finally, the Northern Territory is known for its quintessential Australian experiences, including iconic destinations such as Uluru, Kakadu National Park, and Litchfield National Park.
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The Australian Capital Territory
Australia is a country that is divided into six states and two internal territories. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is one of the two internal territories, the other being the Northern Territory. The ACT is a self-governing territory with its own independent executive government, legislature, and judicial system. The territory is home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and is located in the southeastern Australian mainland as an enclave surrounded by the state of New South Wales.
The ACT has a unique history, having been excised from New South Wales after federation as the seat of government for the new nation. The site of the territory was chosen in 1908, and construction began in 1911. The territory was officially transferred to the federal government by New South Wales in 1911, two years before the capital city was founded and formally named Canberra in 1913. The ACT is home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, and museums, including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and the National Gallery of Australia.
The territory also includes several towns, such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa, and Hall, as well as the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of the land area. The ACT has a continental climate with marked seasonal and diurnal variations in temperature. Summers are warm to hot, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 108 °F (−10 to 42 °C), while winters are cool to cold, with snow covering the higher parts of the mountains.
The ACT has a locally elected legislative assembly that has governed the territory since 1988, with the functions of the head of the Executive exercised by the Assembly itself and the chief minister. However, the Commonwealth maintains authority over the territory and can overturn local laws. The territory is also home to several major universities, including the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the University of New South Wales.
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Jervis Bay Territory
Australia is a country that is divided into six states and two territories. The Jervis Bay Territory is an internal territory of Australia. It is a small peninsula that was established in 1915 when jurisdiction was transferred from the state of New South Wales to the federal Commonwealth of Australia. The territory is administered by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government agencies, but it is a separate territory. Jervis Bay is a natural harbour that opens to the east onto the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its white sand and recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and scuba diving. The Wreck Bay Community, who are the traditional owners, jointly manage the Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens with the Commonwealth Government. The park encompasses approximately 90% of the Jervis Bay Territory and covers the overlap between Australia's northern and southern climatic zones.
The Jervis Bay Territory is the only non-self-governing internal territory in Australia. The laws of the ACT apply to the Jervis Bay Territory, and residents have no state or local representation. However, their votes in federal elections are counted toward the Division of Fenner. According to the 2016 Census, the territory has a population of 391, with a median age of 32. Defence is the biggest employer in the territory, and most residents live in one of the two small villages of Jervis Bay Village and Wreck Bay Village.
The Jervis Bay area has a rich history and has been inhabited by Aboriginal Australian people for thousands of years. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook aboard HMS Endeavour sighted Jervis Bay and named the southern headland Cape St George. In 1791, Lieutenant Richard Bowen named the bay in honour of Admiral John Jervis, and in the same year, Master Matthew Weatherhead entered the bay to undertake repairs. In 1819, John Oxley, an English explorer and surveyor, travelled from Sydney to explore the bay.
Jervis Bay has been considered for various development projects over the years, including a proposed nuclear power plant in the late 1960s that was eventually cancelled due to opposition from local trade unions. The area is now a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Visitors can enjoy whale and dolphin watching cruises, explore the Booderee National Park, and participate in various water sports and outdoor activities.
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Australia's state and territory governments
Australia is a country that is divided into six states and ten territories, with the states being partially sovereign and self-governing. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Each state has its own governor, appointed by the monarch, and its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies.
The ten territories include three internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The Australian Capital Territory, home to the nation's capital, Canberra, is unique in that its parliament combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government. The Northern Territory is similar to a state in that it is an administrative division with its own legislature and judiciary. The Jervis Bay Territory is the only non-self-governing internal territory.
The remaining seven territories are external territories: 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 governed by the federal government, with most being subject to the judiciary and legislature of either a state or internal territory.
Each state and internal territory has the power to legislate on matters concerning its citizens, subject to the limits of the federal constitution. The Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation, and the federal High Court of Australia serves as the final court of appeal for all matters, with the authority to override any state judiciary.
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Australia's federated states
Australia is a federation of six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. These federated states are partially sovereign, self-governing polities that have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies.
Each state has a governor, appointed by the monarch, who also appoints the head of government or "premier" of each state. 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 upper house, meanwhile, is called the "legislative council" in all states.
In addition to these six federated states, Australia also 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: 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 internal territories are largely self-governing, with their own independent executive governments, legislatures, and judicial systems. However, the Federal Parliament can override their legislation, and the High Court of Australia acts as the final court of appeal for all matters. The external territories, on the other hand, are governed by Acts of the federal Parliament and are regulated by the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is a federation consisting of six states and ten federal territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The federal territories include the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
The capitals of the six Australian states are Sydney (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria), Brisbane (Queensland), Perth (Western Australia), Adelaide (South Australia), and Hobart (Tasmania).
The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing with their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. The territories are legally subordinate to the federal government but can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs.
