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Australia is a country that is divided into states and territories, with each division boasting its own unique landscape, history, and culture. The country is made up of six states and two territories, with seven external territories. 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. Each state has its own governor, appointed by the monarch, and its own state government, while territories are controlled by the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Number of territories | 2 federal territories, 3 internal territories, 7 external territories |
| Largest state by area | Western Australia |
| Largest state by population | New South Wales |
| Capital of Western Australia | Perth |
| Capital of New South Wales | Sydney |
| Smallest state | Tasmania |
| Territories not claimed by any state | Yes |
| Territories governed by federal government | Yes |
| Number of capital cities | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has six states and two territories
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The two territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
New South Wales, the oldest and most populous state in Australia, boasts over 780 national parks and reserves, including rainforests, waterfalls, marine wonderlands, rugged bushland, and outback deserts. The state is home to Sydney, the most populated city in Australia, and offers a range of activities such as hiking, sightseeing, and surfing. Victoria, the second-most populous state, is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, flourishing restaurant scene, and impressive array of parks and gardens.
Queensland, known as the "Sunshine State," is a subtropical stretch of land in northeast Australia, featuring the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The state's capital, Brisbane, enjoys warm and sunny weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and water sports. Western Australia, the largest state by area, showcases extremes, with deserts in the east and a scenic coastline in the west. It is home to the city of Perth and the renowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
South Australia, the fourth-most populous state, is known for its vibrant city of Adelaide, surrounded by lush wine regions and picturesque beaches. The state offers a range of experiences, from exploring the rugged Outback to enjoying the vibrant city culture. Tasmania, the smallest state, is separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait. It is renowned for its natural beauty, with 20% of the state covered by national parks and wilderness areas. The state's capital, Hobart, offers a rich historical experience with its well-preserved Georgian and Victorian architecture.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Canberra, the nation's capital, and boasts important national institutions such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Gallery of Australia. The Northern Territory (NT), on the other hand, showcases quintessential Australia, with sublime landscapes, emblematic wildlife, and authentic Aboriginal culture. It is home to iconic destinations such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Kakadu National Park.
Each state and internal territory has its own legislature, with the Federal Parliament holding the power to override territorial legislation. The federal High Court of Australia serves as the final court of appeal for all matters and can override any state judiciary. The territories are governed by the federal government, while the states have their own state governments.
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Jervis Bay Territory is a Commonwealth-administered region
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. The Jervis Bay Territory is an internal territory of Australia and a Commonwealth-administered region. It was established in 1915 when the state of New South Wales surrendered it to the Commonwealth, giving the federal government control of a port near the landlocked Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 and Jervis Bay Territory Ordinances are administered by the Minister with responsibility for Territories. The laws of the ACT apply to the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Commonwealth government contracts the ACT government to provide various services like courts, education, and welfare. The Territory does not have its own elected local council, and residents do not vote in ACT or New South Wales elections. The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council owns about 90% of the territory and exercises certain governance and representation functions under the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986.
The Jervis Bay Territory is in the Commonwealth Electoral Division of Fenner (ACT), and residents are not represented at the local or state government level. The territory has a long history of Aboriginal Australian settlement, and the Yuin people have a continuing connection to the area. The majority of the Jervis Bay embayment is part of Jervis Bay Marine Park (NSW State), while the waters within the Jervis Bay Territory are part of Booderee National Park.
Jervis Bay Territory is an anomaly in Australia's territorial makeup. Although it is not a state or a typical territory, it is a distinct Commonwealth-administered region. It occupies just 67.8 square kilometers and was acquired by the Commonwealth to provide the ACT with a maritime outlet. The territory is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.
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Territories are governed by federal government
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique landscape, history, and culture. The states originated as separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901. The Colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland, as well as Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Van Diemen's Land.
The territories are governed according to Australian federal law and the laws of a state, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) or the Northern Territory (NT). Most territories have an appointed administrator. The Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation and has the authority to override any state judiciary.
The Australian Capital Territory is unique in Australia because its parliament combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government. Until they were granted self-government, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory were administered by the federal government. Federal Parliament gave the territories self-government by passing the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988.
Each external territory is regulated by an Act of the federal Parliament. These Acts contain the majority of provisions determining the legal and political structure applying in that external territory. Under Section 122 of the Australian Constitution, the federal Parliament has plenary power to make laws for all territories, including all external territories. Commonwealth laws apply automatically to the territories unless expressly stated otherwise.
Two present-day Oceanic countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Nauru, were administered by the federal government of Australia as de facto or de jure external territories for differing periods between 1902 and 1975.
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Australian Capital Territory is home to Canberra
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is one of the two territories, and it is home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Canberra is located in the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, in the territory's north-east, and is the territory's primate city. It is situated in southeastern Australian mainland, about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney.
Canberra is the largest inland city in Australia and the eighth-largest city by population. As of June 2024, its population was estimated to be 473,855. The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, by groups including the Ngunnawal and Ngambri. European settlement commenced in the first half of the 19th century, and the city was formally named in 1913, two years after the territory was transferred to the federal government by New South Wales.
The Australian Capital Territory is home to many important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, museums, and educational institutions. These include the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library, the National Archives, the Australian Academy of Science, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum. The territory also includes the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of the land area.
Canberra has a unique system of government, with the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly performing the roles of both a city council and a territory government. The territory has a relatively dry, continental climate, with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters.
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Queensland is known as the 'Sunshine State'
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, with eight capital cities. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Queensland, commonly called the "Sunshine State", is the second-largest state in Australia. It is the world's sixth-largest subnational entity, with an area of 1,723,030 square kilometres (665,270 sq mi). Queensland's capital and largest city is Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city.
Queensland is nicknamed the Sunshine State for its warm and tropical climate, beaches, and natural environment. The state enjoys more winter sunshine and warmth than almost anywhere else in the country. It is home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, mountain ranges, white sandy beaches, rivers, and the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Queensland's diverse landscapes include the semi-arid and desert climatic regions of its interior, with deserts and savanna.
The Sunshine State boasts a strong tourism industry, attracting millions of interstate and international visitors each year. The industry generates $8.8 billion annually, accounting for 4.5% of Queensland's Gross State Product. The state's most popular tourist destinations include Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, and the Whitsunday Islands.
Queensland has a population of over 5.5 million, with nearly three-quarters of its residents concentrated in South East Queensland. The region includes Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, and Toowoomba, and is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. South East Queensland accounts for more than 70% of the state's population.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. There are also seven external territories.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The two territories of Australia are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
