
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The majority of Australians live in the eastern coastal mainland states, with most major population centres located east and south of the Great Dividing Range. While New South Wales is the most populous state, with Sydney as its capital, the Northern Territory has the smallest population, with its capital city of Darwin having an estimated population of over 120,000 people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with the least population | Northern Territory |
| Capital city of the state with the least population | Darwin |
| Population of the capital city of the state with the least population | Over 120,000 |
| Second least populated state | Australian Capital Territory |
| Capital city of the second least populated state | Canberra |
| Population of the capital city of the second least populated state | Over 380,000 |
| Third least populated state | Tasmania |
| Most populated state | New South Wales |
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What You'll Learn

Northern Territory has the smallest population
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. It also has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland.
The Northern Territory has the smallest population in Australia. The territory's capital city, Darwin, has an estimated population of over 120,000 people. In comparison, the capital city of the state with the largest population, Sydney in New South Wales, has a population of over 4.4 million people.
The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) operate largely indistinguishably from the states, with representation in the Parliament and Senate. However, they do not have constitutional status as states, and their territorial legislation can be overridden.
The Australian Capital Territory, with its capital city of Canberra, has the second-smallest population in the country. Canberra is also the capital city of Australia and has a population of over 380,000 people.
The majority of Australians (79%) live in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.
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The capital of the Northern Territory is Darwin
Australia is comprised of six federated states and ten federal territories. The six federated states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Of these, New South Wales has the largest population, with Sydney, its capital, being the most populated city in Australia.
The Northern Territory is one of the three internal territories, the other two being the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory. The Northern Territory has the smallest population in Australia. Its capital city, Darwin, has an estimated population of over 120,000 people.
Darwin is located in the northern part of the country and is the only Australian capital city with a tropical climate. It is a modern city with a vibrant culture and a diverse range of attractions, including historical sites, natural landscapes, and cultural experiences.
As the capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin plays an important administrative and economic role in the region. It serves as the regional centre for government, business, and industry, with the major industries in the state being health care, social assistance, retail, manufacturing, and education.
Darwin is also a gateway to many natural wonders and unique experiences that the Northern Territory has to offer. The city is known for its outdoor adventure activities, such as fishing, hiking, and exploring national parks. The city's proximity to the ocean also makes it a popular destination for water-based activities like swimming, sailing, and scuba diving.
In summary, Darwin, as the capital of the Northern Territory, is a vibrant and modern city with a relatively small population compared to other Australian capital cities. It serves as the administrative and economic centre of the region, while also offering a range of cultural and natural attractions that showcase the unique character of the Northern Territory.
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Queensland is the third-most populous state
Queensland, also known as QLD, is the third most populous state in Australia, accounting for about 20% of the country's population. The state's capital city, Brisbane, has an estimated population of over 2 million people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people account for 3.6% of Queensland’s population. Queensland is also Australia’s second-largest state by area, after Western Australia.
Queensland is one of the six federated states of Australia, along with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The majority of Australians live in the eastern coastal mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory, which collectively form 79% of the entire population of Australia. Most of the major population centres are located east and south of the Great Dividing Range on the coastal plains and their associated hinterland regions.
New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia, with its capital city, Sydney, being the country's most populated city with over 4.4 million people. Sydney and its surrounding areas make up 10.4% of Australia's total area. South Australia is the fifth-most populous state, with Adelaide as its capital city. Adelaide is home to about 5% of the country's total population.
Western Australia is the fourth-most populous state, constituting about 10% of Australia's population. Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is the fourth-largest city in the country, accounting for approximately 8% of the nation's total population. The Northern Territory, with its capital city of Darwin, has the smallest population in Australia.
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New South Wales is the richest state
Tasmania is the Australian state with the least population. It is made up of one large island and 334 smaller islands located southeast of mainland Australia. As of 2019, Tasmania has a population of 518,500 and a total area of 26,410 square miles.
Now, onto the topic of New South Wales being the richest state in Australia.
New South Wales is located just north of Victoria and covers an area of 312,528 square miles. As of 2019, the state has a population of 7,704,300 people. New South Wales has the largest economy in Australia, contributing to 30.8% of the national GDP. In 2014/2015, the state produced $506.918 billion in Gross State Product (GSP). The principal industries in New South Wales include services, mining, industrial and transportation equipment, and food processing. The state also has a large financial services sector.
New South Wales is considered the richest state in Australia due to its stable economy and diverse range of industries. It has the highest gross state product and is the largest contributor to the national GDP. The state's economy is larger than that of some independent nations, including South Africa, Malaysia, Colombia, and Thailand.
The state also has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, and its capital, Sydney, is the most populated city in Australia. The majority of Australians live in the eastern coastal mainland states, including New South Wales, which collectively forms 79% of the country's population.
In summary, New South Wales is the richest state in Australia due to its large economy, diverse industries, high gross state product, and contribution to the national GDP. The state also benefits from a stable economy and a low unemployment rate, contributing to its overall wealth and high standard of living.
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Sydney is Australia's most populated city
Australia is surrounded by the Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans, and is separated from Maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea by the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea, and the Torres Strait. It is the smallest continent in the world, and also the sixth-largest country by land area.
Australia has six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. 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.
Sydney, located in New South Wales, has long been Australia's most populous city. In 2023, however, Melbourne officially overtook Sydney as the most populous city, with a population of 4,875,400 compared to Sydney's 4,856,700. This was due to a quirk in how the figures were counted, as the boundary used to calculate Melbourne's population was updated, and the city expanded to take in a formerly regional area on its fringe.
Sydney remains one of the most populous cities in Australia, with a population of 4,627,345 people. It is also the capital city of New South Wales, the richest state in Australia, and the most populated Australian state. The state is home to 7.9% of the country's population and is projected to have a population of about 9.9 million people by 2040.
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Frequently asked questions
The Northern Territory has the smallest population in Australia. The capital city of the Northern Territory is Darwin, which has an estimated population of over 120,000 people.
New South Wales has the largest population in Australia, with Sydney being the country's most populated city. Sydney has an estimated population of over 4.4 million people.
As of December 2024, Australia's population was 27,400,013 people.











































