Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a country and a continent. It is a federation with a stable liberal democratic political system and power divided between federal and state governments. Australia is a member of several international organisations, reflecting its commitment to multilateralism. The country is divided into six states and two territories, each with diverse environments, cultures, and attractions. These include New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Type of Country | Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, federation |
| Number of States | 6 |
| Number of Territories | 2 |
| Total Area | 7,688,287 km2 |
| Global Ranking by Area | 6th |
| Number of Inhabitants | 24.6 million |
| Oceania Ranking by Area | 1st |
| Aboriginal Australians | Spoke 250 distinct languages |
| Capital | Canberra |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a country and a continent
The Australian states existed separately before the creation of the federal government, and each state has its own government. The territories, on the other hand, are under the control of the federal government. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is located entirely within New South Wales and is home to the country's capital, Canberra.
As a continent, Australia is the world's sixth-largest country, spanning over 7.6 million square kilometres. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. The name Australia is derived from the Latin "Terra Australis," meaning "Southern Land."
Australia has a unique political system, combining elements from the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy with a stable liberal democratic system. The country is divided into states and territories, each with its own distinct characteristics and attractions, offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors.
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Australia has six states and two territories
Australia is a federation comprising six states and ten federal territories, two of which have some degree of autonomy. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two autonomous territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Each state is a successor to a historical British colony, and each has its own constitution. The states are partially sovereign, administrative divisions that are self-governing, having ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. They have their own legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies that administer and deliver public policies and programs.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory (NT) are treated as states in Australian and joint Australia-New Zealand intergovernmental bodies. They have representation in the Parliament and the Senate. However, they do not have constitutional status as states, and territorial legislation can be overridden by the federal government.
The remaining eight federal territories are regulated by an Act of the federal Parliament, which determines their legal and political structure. These territories are constitutionally part of Australia, and their residents participate in federal elections.
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The Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT is governed by the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which established a democratic framework for self-government. The territory's legislature is the unicameral ACT Legislative Assembly, which sits in the Legislative Assembly Building in Canberra. The Assembly has the functions of both a local council and a state legislature, and its members are elected for four-year terms.
The executive power of the territory rests with the ACT government, headed by the Chief Minister, who is currently Andrew Barr of the Labor Party. The Chief Minister is analogous to a State Premier and sits on the National Cabinet. The ministers are supported by the ACT Public Service, which is arranged into directorates and public authorities.
The ACT is home to many important federal government institutions, national monuments, and museums. These include the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia. The territory also includes the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of its land area.
The ACT has a relatively dry, continental climate, with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. In addition to Canberra, the territory includes towns such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa, and Hall.
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The Northern Territory (NT)
The NT became self-governing on 1 July 1978 under its own administrator appointed by the Governor-General of Australia. The federal government advises the governor-general on the appointment of the administrator, but by convention, they first consult with the Territory government. The two historically dominant political parties in the Northern Territory are the conservative Country Liberal Party and the social-democratic Australian Labor Party. The Northern Territory Council for Aboriginal Rights (NTCAR) supported the Gurindji people's strike and walk-off at Wave Hill Cattle Station in 1966. The Federal government set up the Woodward Royal Commission in February 1973 to enquire into how land rights might be achieved in the Northern Territory. The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 was passed by the Fraser government on 16 December 1976 and began operating on 26 January 1977.
The NT's top exporters are recognised annually at the Chief Minister’s NT Export Awards. The Territory Government has introduced new laws to reduce crime and improve safety, including strengthening its Liquor Regulation 2019 to address alcohol-related harm. The Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University are working together to deliver more student accommodation in Darwin. The NT Budget for 2024-25 was recently announced. The NT is also home to Kakadu National Park, a diverse and magical part of the territory.
The Northern Territory's school education consists of six years of primary schooling, including one transition year, three years of middle schooling, and three years of secondary schooling. Northern Territory children generally begin school at age five. On completing secondary school, students earn the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET). Students who successfully complete their secondary education also receive a tertiary entrance ranking, or ATAR score, to determine university admittance. Northern Territory schools are either publicly or privately funded. Public schools are funded and run directly by the Department of Education, while private fee-paying schools include schools run by the Catholic Church and independent schools.
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Australia's international relations
Australia has a robust relationship with the United States, with the two countries sharing democratic values, common interests, and cultural affinities. The US-Australia alliance was cemented in the 1951 Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Pact and further strengthened by the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). Australia and the US have fought together in every significant conflict since World War I, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the Persian Gulf War. The two countries marked 100 years of friendship in 2018.
Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom has evolved over time. While the UK historically exerted influence over Australia's foreign policy, this dynamic changed following the Washington Naval Conference of 1922 and the decline in British influence in the Pacific. Australia has since established its own distinct foreign policy approach, although it continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the UK. In recent years, Australia has strengthened its engagement with Southeast Asian partners and other Indo-Pacific countries, recognising the region's growing importance.
Australia has also developed important relationships with other nations. It has established formal diplomatic relations with all members of the United Nations, as well as the Holy See, Kosovo, Cook Islands, and Niue. Australia played a leading role in restoring order in East Timor following Indonesia's withdrawal in 1999. Additionally, Australia has a significant relationship with China, appointing its first trade commissioner to the country in 1921. However, the current relationship is complex, with Australia facing a critical choice between engaging with China's leadership in the global clean energy race or falling behind.
Australia is an active participant in various international organisations and forums. It is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council, and contributes to UN activities such as peacekeeping, disarmament negotiations, and narcotics control. Australia is also part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), G-20, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and is a Partner for Cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Australia has also forged defence partnerships with countries like South Korea, signing a $1 billion defence procurement deal in 2021, and works closely with international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is a country. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia and is a federation of six states and two federal territories.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The two federal territories of Australia are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
