Damon Mcknight
Australia is divided into states and territories, with six states, three internal territories, and seven external territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The internal territories include the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra, the capital of Australia. The external territories include Norfolk Island, the Coral Sea Islands, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, among others. Each state and territory has its own unique landscape, history, and culture, as well as its own form of governance, with varying degrees of independence from the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Names of the states | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania |
| Number of internal territories | 2 |
| Names of the internal territories | Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory |
| Number of external territories | 6 |
| Names of the external territories | Norfolk Island, Coral Sea Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
| Number of territories with special status | 1 |
| Name of the territory with special status | Australian Antarctic Territory |
| Number of territories with controversial status | 1 |
| Name of the territory with controversial status | Norfolk Island |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has six states
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique landscape, history, and culture. These states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
New South Wales (NSW) is the oldest state in Australia, established in 1788. It is a microcosm of what the country has to offer in terms of geography, culture, and economy. NSW is home to Sydney, Australia's most populous city, and has the largest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the country. The state boasts a diverse landscape, ranging from coastal regions like Bondi Beach to the rugged terrains of the Blue Mountains and the Snowy Mountains, making it a year-round tourist destination.
Queensland (QLD) is known as the 'Sunshine State' due to its subtropical climate and is located 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 warm winters, making it perfect for outdoor activities and water sports.
South Australia (SA) is located at the bottom of the central part of the country and is known for its laid-back and relaxing atmosphere. The state's capital, Adelaide, is a great base for exploring the Barossa Valley wineries, the Flinders Ranges, and Kangaroo Island. SA is also known for its thriving arts scene and hosts more than 500 events and festivals each year.
Tasmania (TAS) is a separate island off the south coast of Australia. It is known for its rugged wilderness and natural beauty, including its mountains, forests, and coastline. The state offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and water sports.
Victoria (VIC) is the southernmost state on mainland Australia and is known for its cultural richness and geographic variety. The state's capital, Melbourne, has been named the 'Most Liveable City in the World' multiple times due to its cultural diversity, modern cityscape, and friendly atmosphere. Victoria boasts incredible museums and galleries, as well as the majestic Grampians National Park and the Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road.
Western Australia (WA) is the largest state and is located on the west coast of the country. It offers a range of experiences, from the dramatic Kimberley Region to the idyllic Rottnest Island and the premium wine and surf region of Margaret River. The capital, Perth, is known for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood.
Each of these six states has its own distinct characteristics, contributing to the diverse and vibrant culture of Australia as a whole.
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States originated as separate British colonies
Australia is divided into states and territories, which are the country's largest administrative divisions. There are six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Each state is a successor to a historical British colony, and each has its own constitution.
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, in addition to the area currently referred to as the state of New South Wales. During the 19th century, large areas were separated from New South Wales to form new colonies. These included the Colony of Tasmania (established as Van Diemen's Land in 1825), the Colony of Western Australia (initially the Swan River Colony in 1829), the Province of South Australia (1836), the Colony of New Zealand (1840), the Victoria Colony (1851), and the Colony of Queensland (1859).
In the mid-19th century, autonomous parliamentary democracies began to be established in the six British colonies. In the late 1880s, a majority of people living in the Australian colonies were native-born, and more than 90% were of British and Irish heritage. The Australian Natives Association campaigned for an Australian federation within the British Empire, and in 1890, Henry Parkes stated, "The crimson thread of kinship runs through us all... we must unite as one great Australian people."
Referendums held in 1899 resulted in votes in favour of federation in all colonies except Western Australia, which later voted to join the new federation. On January 1, 1901, the six colonies were joined together to create the Commonwealth of Australia, a self-governing Dominion in the British Empire.
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Australian territories are not part of any state
Australia is divided into 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. In addition, there are seven 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.
While the states are partially sovereign and self-governing, the territories are legally subordinate to the federal government. The territories do not have the power to create laws for themselves and rely on the federal government to create and approve laws. The Australian Capital Territory, for example, does not have a governor or an administrator. Instead, the functions of the head of the Executive are exercised by the Assembly itself and by the chief minister.
The Northern Territory is also administered differently from the states. The Administrator of the Northern Territory is appointed by the governor-general, while each state has a governor appointed by the monarch. The territories are not claimed by any state, so the Australian Parliament directly controls them.
The states of Australia were separate even before the country's federal government was created, so each state has its own government. The territories, on the other hand, are under the control of the federal government. This distinction is important because it means that the states have more autonomy in certain areas, such as legislation and policy-making, while the territories are more dependent on the federal government for decision-making.
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The Northern Territory is similar to a state
Australia is divided into six states and ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories and seven are external territories. The Northern Territory is one of the internal territories.
The Northern Territory shares similarities with a state in that it has a degree of self-governance. The Northern Territory Government has powers delegated to it by the Australian Parliament, and it can legislate over areas such as health, education, land, mining, and local government. The territory has had representation in the Parliament since 1948 and in the Senate since 1975.
However, the Northern Territory does not have constitutional status as a state, and territorial legislation can be overridden by the Federal Parliament and the Governor-General. The territory also relies heavily on Commonwealth funding, with more than two-thirds of its budget derived from federal GST disbursement and specific-purpose grants.
The Northern Territory's status as a non-state can be attributed to various factors, including its small population, limited economic resources, and the historical control of land and resources by the federal government. Despite its size and population, it has been a territory since its inception in 1911.
While the Northern Territory has similarities to a state in terms of self-governance, it does not have the same constitutional status or financial independence, and its legislation can be overridden by the federal government.
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The Australian Capital Territory is home to Canberra
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories, with Canberra being the capital city. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Canberra, which is located in the territory's northeast. The territory was transferred to the federal government by New South Wales in 1911, and the capital city was founded and named Canberra in 1913.
Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city by population. It is situated in southeastern Australia, about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, with European settlement commencing in the first half of the 19th century.
The Australian Capital Territory is home to many national institutions, monuments, museums, and government buildings. These include the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library, the National Archives, the Australian Academy of Science, the National Museum, the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, and the Royal Australian Mint. The territory also includes the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of its land area.
The ACT has a locally elected legislative assembly that has governed the territory since 1988, although the Commonwealth maintains authority 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 Australian Defence Force Academy.
Canberra has a thriving sports culture, with many professional sports league franchise teams based in the city. It also offers a growing tourist trade, with attractions such as the Mount Stromlo Observatory, the National Library of Australia, the Australian National Gallery, and the Australian National War Memorial.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is divided into states and territories.
Australia has six states, three internal territories, and seven external territories.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
The two internal territories of Australia are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which contains Canberra, the capital of Australia.
