Lexi Webster
Australia has six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. There have been proposals to create or incorporate new states, including admitting territories to statehood, admitting independent countries (or their dependent territories), and forming new states from parts of existing states. However, no new states have been added since the federation of six former British self-governing colonies in 1901. The country also administers ten federal territories, including the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory, which function similarly to states but lack constitutional status. Australia's system of states and territories, as well as its use of the term states, can be traced back to the process of Federation and the influence of the American model of federalism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Number of territories | 10 |
| Number of internal territories | 3 |
| Possibility of new states | Admitting territories to statehood, admitting independent countries (or their dependent territories), and forming new states from parts of existing states |
| Reasons for not having more states | States have more power than provinces and the colonies (now states) would not have voted to become a federation if they lost too much independence |
| Influence on the naming of states | Australia's fathers of federation were strongly influenced by the US |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia has six states and two territories, with the majority of Australians living in four of the states
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory are not constitutionally states, but they operate similarly
- Australia's states existed before federation and wanted to retain their status and power
- Australia's system was influenced by the US, and a federal structure was chosen to govern a large area with diverse political and economic interests
- New Zealand becoming the seventh state of Australia has been proposed, but free trade and open borders are the current extent of public acceptance
Australia has six states and two territories, with the majority of Australians living in four of the states
Australia has six states and two territories, with 79% of Australians living in just four of the states. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two territories are the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory.
The states originated as separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901. The colonies united to become a nation, forming the six states of Australia. Each state has its own governor, appointed by the monarch, and its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies.
The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory operate similarly to the states, with representation in Parliament and the Senate. However, they do not have constitutional status as states and their territorial legislation can be overridden by the federal government.
There have been proposals to create or admit new states to the federation, including admitting territories to statehood, admitting independent countries or their dependent territories, and forming new states from parts of existing states. For example, there was a proposal in the 1940s to create a new state in the northeast of Victoria and southeast of New South Wales, with the proposed state capital of Bega. Another proposal suggested that New Zealand become the seventh state of Australia, citing economic benefits and strong existing ties between the two nations.
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The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory are not constitutionally states, but they operate similarly
Australia has six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. These states originated as separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901.
In addition to these six states, Australia also has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Northern Territory, and the Jervis Bay Territory. The ACT and the Northern Territory operate similarly to the six states, with representation in the Parliament and the Senate. However, they do not have constitutional status as states, and their territorial legislation can be overridden by the federal government.
The ACT, home to the nation's capital, Canberra, is renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural institutions, including the National Gallery and the National Museum. The Northern Territory, on the other hand, is known for its natural attractions, such as the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and the Red Centre, which includes the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock).
The Jervis Bay Territory is the only non-self-governing internal territory, administered separately from the ACT despite its close association.
There have been proposals to admit territories like the Northern Territory and the ACT to statehood, but no new states have been added to the federation since 1901.
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Australia's states existed before federation and wanted to retain their status and power
Australia's states existed as separate British colonies before federation in 1901, and they wanted to retain their status and power. The six colonies that became Australia's states were: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The colonies were partly self-governing but under the law-making power of the British Parliament. In the late 19th century, it was suggested that the colonies would be stronger and more efficient if they worked together. Several conventions were held to draft a constitution for a new country, Australia, and in 1899, the draft was approved by a vote of the people in a series of referendums.
The states wanted to retain their status and power, so they negotiated to become part of a federal structure, similar to the American model, where states have more power than provinces. This was a significant factor in the decision to create a federation of states rather than a unitary state with provinces. The colonies likely would not have agreed to unite and form a federation if they had to give up too much independence.
Even after federation, the states remained partially sovereign and self-governing, with their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. They administer and deliver public policies and programs, although they have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government.
While there have been proposals to admit new states to the federation, including territories, independent countries, and parts of existing states, no new states have been added since the original six in 1901.
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Australia's system was influenced by the US, and a federal structure was chosen to govern a large area with diverse political and economic interests
Australia's system of government was influenced by the United States Constitution. In 1900, Australia decided to create a federal structure similar to that of the US. The six former British colonies that united to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 became states, with more power and independence than provinces. This federal model was chosen to govern a large area with diverse political and economic interests.
The US system of government, with its strong states, was seen as a good fit for Australia's vast and varied geography. The US model also offered a way to balance the interests of the different colonies, which had been partly self-governing under the British but were now coming together to form a new nation.
The Australian states are partially sovereign and have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. They administer and deliver public policies and programs, and each has its own governor, appointed by the monarch.
While Australia has considered adding new states, such as admitting territories to statehood or incorporating independent countries, no new states have been added since the original six in 1901. Proposals have included the addition of neighbouring countries such as New Zealand, which could bring major economic benefits due to the close ties between the two nations. However, concerns have been raised about the need for a common currency, and other disparities such as the status of political rights.
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New Zealand becoming the seventh state of Australia has been proposed, but free trade and open borders are the current extent of public acceptance
Australia currently has six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory are also considered territories of Australia, though they do not have constitutional status as states.
In 2010, a UMR research poll asked 1000 people in Australia and New Zealand a series of questions relating to New Zealand becoming the seventh state of Australia. A quarter of respondents thought it was something to look into, and over 40% thought the idea was worth debating. More Australians than New Zealanders would support such a move. In 2011, the Join Australia Movement Party in New Zealand advocated for political unity between the two countries, but it dissolved the same year. During Labour MP Jamie Strange's valedictory speech in 2023, he stated that New Zealanders "shouldn't rule... out" becoming one country with Australia.
However, some New Zealanders feel they have established a national identity that they may lose if they became part of Australia. Others argue that New Zealand is too far away from mainland Australia. Additionally, the Treaty of Waitangi, a declaration of New Zealand's independence, is seen as a legal barrier to New Zealand becoming a state of Australia. While there may be economic benefits to a union, it is unlikely that New Zealand will become the seventh state of Australia, with free trade and open borders appearing to be the maximum extent of public acceptance of the proposal.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has had proposals to add more states since the 19th century. However, no new states have been added since the federation of six former British self-governing colonies in 1901. This is because any alteration to state boundaries requires the consent of the state's voters via referendum.
There have been proposals to admit territories to statehood, admit independent countries (or their dependent territories), and form new states from parts of existing states. One notable proposal is for New Zealand to become the seventh state of Australia due to the major economic benefits it could bring and the strong cultural ties between the two nations. Another proposal was for a new state called Princeland, formed by the western part of Victoria and the southeastern part of South Australia.
Section 124 of the Constitution of Australia provides for the establishment or admission of new states to the federation. The Federal Parliament may form a new state by separating territory from an existing state, joining multiple states or parts of states, or altering state limits with the approval of the parliament(s) of the state(s).
