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States and territories of Australia

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States and territories of Australia
Map depicting Mainland Australia's states and its territories labelled in lime and dark green
LocationAustralia
Number16 (6 states, 3 internal territories, and 7 external territories)
PopulationsLeast populous state:
Most populous state: Least populous inhabited territories: Uninhabited territories: Most populous territory:
AreasSmallest state:
Largest state:
Smallest territory:
Largest territory:
Largest inhabited territory:
Subdivisions

The states and territories are the sub-national constituent entities and the second level of government of Australia.[1] The states are partially-sovereign administrative divisions that function as self-governing polities, having ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government.[2] They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, law enforcement agencies and emergency services that administer and deliver public policies and programs. Territories can be autonomous and administer policies and programs much like the states in practice, but are still legally subordinate to the federal government.[3]

Australia has six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia; and ten federal territories, comprising three internal territories on the mainland and seven offshore external territories. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory are self-governing and are for the most part treated as states, with elected legislative assemblies and chief ministers (the equivalent of state premiers) and representation in both chambers of the federal parliament.[4][5] The remaining territories have local government status overseen by federal departments.[6]

State and territory parliaments may pass legislation subject to the limits of the federal constitution (notably Section 51 and Section 109). Each state and internal territory (except the Jervis Bay Territory) has its own legislature; the Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation, but this is extremely rare. The High Court of Australia acts as a final court of appeal on all matters, and has the authority to override any state judiciary.[7][8]

History

[edit]
Territorial evolution of Australia

Colonial origins

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The states originated as separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901.[1] 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 successively separated to form the Colony of Tasmania (initially established as a separate colony named Van Diemen's Land in 1825), the Colony of Western Australia (initially established as the smaller Swan River Colony in 1829), the Province of South Australia (1836), the Colony of New Zealand (1840),[9] the Victoria Colony (1851) and the Colony of Queensland (1859). Upon federation, the six colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania became the founding states of the new Commonwealth of Australia.

Federation

[edit]

At Federation in 1901, what is now the Northern Territory was within South Australia, what are now the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory were within New South Wales, and the Coral Sea Islands were part of Queensland. The Ashmore and Cartier Islands were accepted by Australia in 1934[10] and were administered as part of the Northern Territory. The two self-governing territory governments (the Australian Capital Territory [ACT] and the Northern Territory [NT]) were created by legislation of the Federal Parliament: the NT in 1978 and the ACT in 1989.[1]

Territorial evolution

[edit]
  • 1788 – British Empire establishes the Colony of New South Wales across central and eastern mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania, both islands of New Zealand and Norfolk Island.
  • 1803 – The Coral Sea Islands are claimed by New South Wales.
  • 1825 – The island of Tasmania becomes the independent colony of Van Diemen's Land. New South Wales extends its borders further west in mainland Australia.
  • 1829 – The British Empire establishes the Swan River Colony in western mainland Australia.
  • 1832 – Swan River Colony is renamed the "colony of Western Australia".
  • 1836 – The Colony of South Australia is established.
  • 1841 – The islands of New Zealand become the independent colony of New Zealand. Much of eastern Antarctica is annexed by Britain as Victoria Land.
  • 1844 – New South Wales transfers Norfolk Island to Van Diemen's Land.
  • 1846 – Northern central and eastern Australia briefly become the British colony of North Australia, then are returned to New South Wales.
    Map of Australia, 1851
  • 1851 – Southeastern mainland Australia becomes the independent colony of Victoria.
  • 1856 – Van Diemen's Land is renamed the colony of Tasmania. Norfolk Island becomes a separate settlement of Norfolk Island, administered by the same governor as New South Wales.
  • 1857 – Much of southern central mainland Australia becomes the independent colony of South Australia. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are annexed by Britain.
  • 1859 – Northeastern mainland Australia and Coral Sea Islands become the independent colony of Queensland.
  • 1860 – A pocket of New South Wales territory remaining in southern central mainland Australia is transferred to South Australia.
  • 1862 – Some of New South Wales' northern central mainland Australian territory is transferred to Queensland.
  • 1863 – New South Wales' remaining northern central mainland Australian territory is transferred to South Australia.
  • 1878 – Britain annexes Ashmore Island.
  • 1884 – Britain annexes British New Guinea.
  • 1886 – The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are to be administered by the same governor as the Straits Settlements.
  • 1888 – Christmas Island is annexed by Britain and incorporated into the Straits Settlements.
  • 1897 – Norfolk Island is officially reintegrated into New South Wales.
  • 1901 – New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia federate into the Commonwealth of Australia. Queensland transfers the Coral Sea Islands to the federal government, creating a federal external territory.
  • 1902 – Britain transfers British New Guinea to Australia, forming Territory of Papua as an external territory.
  • 1903 – The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are incorporated into the Straits Settlements.
  • 1909 – Britain annexes Cartier Island.
  • 1910 – Britain claims Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.
  • 1911 – The state of South Australia transfers control of northern central mainland Australia to the federal government, creating the Northern Territory. A small pocket of New South Wales around the city of Canberra is transferred to the federal government (who are seated within it), creating the Federal Capital Territory.
  • 1913 – New South Wales transfers Norfolk Island to the federal government, making it a federal external territory.
  • 1915 – A small pocket of New South Wales around Jervis Bay is transferred to the federal government and incorporated into the Federal Capital Territory.
  • 1920 – Following the defeat of the German Empire in World War I, the League of Nations establishes an Australian mandate in northeastern New Guinea, it becomes the external Territory of New Guinea. The mandate for Nauru is conferred on 17 December 1920.
  • 1923 – Nauru is established as an Australian mandate and external territory by the League of Nations, as a co-mandate with Britain and New Zealand.
  • 1927 – The Northern Territory is split into two territories: North Australia and Central Australia.
  • 1930 – The remaining territory in eastern Antarctica is annexed by Britain as Enderby Land.
  • 1931 – North Australia and Central Australia are reincorporated as the Northern Territory. Britain recognises Australia as possessors of the uninhabited Ashmore and Cartier Islands, making them an external federal territory.
  • 1933 – Britain transfers Victoria Land and Enderby Land to Australia, creating the Australian Antarctic Territory, with ongoing limited international recognition.
  • 1938 – The Federal Capital Territory is renamed the "Australian Capital Territory".
  • 1942 – The Empire of Japan conquers Nauru from Australia, Britain and New Zealand as part of World War II. Japan also conquers much of the Straits Settlements, including Christmas Island. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are not conquered and are transferred to the Colony of Ceylon.
  • 1946 – The United Nations, the successor to the League of Nations, renews its mandate of New Guinea to Australia. Christmas Island is placed under the jurisdiction of the Colony of Singapore.
  • 1947 – Following the defeat of Japan in World War II, the United Nations returns Nauru to Australia, Britain and New Zealand as a joint mandate. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are transferred to Singapore.
  • 1949 – Papua and New Guinea are incorporated into the singular Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Britain transfers Heard Island and the McDonald Islands to Australia, creating a federal external territory.
  • 1955 – Britain transfers the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to Australia, they become an external territory.
  • 1958 – Britain transfers Christmas Island to Australia, it becomes an external territory.
  • 1966 – Nauru gains a Legislative Council with an elected majority.
  • 1968 – Nauru becomes independent on 31 January 1968.
  • 1971 – Papua and New Guinea is renamed Papua New Guinea.
  • 1972 – Papua New Guinea receives self government.
  • 1975 – Papua New Guinea becomes the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, ending British-Australian control.
  • 1978 – Northern Territory gains self-government with certain Commonwealth control.
  • 1979 – Norfolk Island gains self-government with certain Commonwealth control.
  • 1989 – The Australian Capital Territory gains self-government with certain Commonwealth control. Jervis Bay becomes independent of the ACT, becoming the Jervis Bay Territory.
  • 2015 – Norfolk Island loses self-government with full Commonwealth control.

States

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Each of the six states has its own capital city, which is also its largest population centre. The table below summarises each state's estimated resident population, land area, population density, representation in the House of Representatives, and incumbent premier.

PerthAdelaideMelbourneCanberraSydneyBrisbaneDarwinHobartTasmaniaAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralian Capital TerritoryWestern AustraliaNorthern TerritorySouth AustraliaQueenslandNew South WalesVictoriaTasmaniaGreat Australian BightTasman SeaIndian OceanCoral SeaIndonesiaPapua New GuineaGulf of CarpentariaArafura SeaEast TimorTimor SeaGreat Barrier Reef
A clickable map of Australia's states, mainland territories and their capitals
States of Australia[b]
Flag State ISO[11] Capital Population
(Mar 2026)[12]		 Area (km2)[13] Population density (/km2) No. members in House of Reps.[14] Premier
(Party)
New South Wales AU-NSW Sydney 8,670,105 801,150 10.82 46 Chris Minns (Labor)
Victoria AU-VIC Melbourne 7,154,221 227,444 31.46 38 Ben Carroll (Labor)
Queensland AU-QLD Brisbane 5,739,461 1,729,742 3.32 30 David Crisafulli (Liberal National)
Western Australia AU-WA Perth[c] 3,096,222 2,527,013 1.23 16 Roger Cook (Labor)
South Australia AU-SA Adelaide 1,916,836 984,321 1.95 10 Peter Malinauskas (Labor)
Tasmania AU-TAS Hobart 580,691 68,401 8.49 5 Jeremy Rockliff (Liberal)

Territories

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Australia has ten federal territories: three internal territories on the mainland and seven offshore external territories. The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are self-governing, with elected legislative assemblies and chief ministers, and are represented in both chambers of the federal Parliament. The remaining territories have local government status overseen by federal departments.

Internal territories

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Australia has three internal territories on the mainland. Two are self-governing; the third is administered directly by the Commonwealth. The table below lists each territory's population, area, representation in the House of Representatives, and chief minister.

Internal territories of Australia[d]
Flag Territory ISO[15] Capital
(or largest settlement)		 Population[16] Area (km2)[17] Population density (/km2) No. members in House of Reps.[18] Chief Minister (Party)
Australian Capital Territory AU-ACT Canberra 489,668 (Mar 2026) 2,358 207.7 3 Andrew Barr (Labor)
Northern Territory AU-NT Darwin 268,899 (Mar 2026) 1,347,791 0.20 2 Lia Finocchiaro (Country Liberal)
Jervis Bay Territory N/a Jervis Bay Village[e] 305 (2025 est.)[19] 67 4.6 Part of ACT's Division of Fenner Administered by the DITRDCSA.[f] Local governance is provided by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council.[g]

External territories

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Australia's external territories are dispersed across the Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans. Only three territories have permanent populations: Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The remainder are uninhabited or host only seasonal research or meteorological staff. The table below lists each territory's capital or main settlement, languages, population, area, administering body, and local government.

External territories of Australia[h]
Flag Territory ISO[11] Capital Official language(s) Population[i] Area (km2)[13] Population density (/km2) Administering body Local government
Norfolk Island NF Kingston Norfuk, English 2,193 (2025)[20][21] 35 63 DITRDCSA[j] Norfolk Island Regional Council[k]
Christmas Island CX Flying Fish Cove de jure: None
de facto: English, Mandarin, Malay		 1,692 (2021)[22][23] 135 13 Shire of Christmas Island[l]
Cocos (Keeling) Islands CC West Island de jure: None
de facto: Cocos Malay, English		 593 (2021)[24][25] 14 42 Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands[m]
Australian Antarctic Territory[a] AQ[n] None English 80–200 (seasonal)[27][o] 5,896,500 0.000029 Australian Antarctic Division[p] None
Heard Island and McDonald Islands HM None None 0[28] 372 0
Coral Sea Islands N/a None None 3–4[29][q][30] 780,000[r] 0.0000038 DITRDCSA[s]
Ashmore and Cartier Islands N/a None None 0[31] 199 0

Former territories

[edit]

Over its history, Australia has administered a number of territories that no longer exist as separate entities. Some, such as Papua New Guinea and Nauru, became independent countries, while others, such as North Australia and Central Australia, were reincorporated into existing territories.

Former internal territories

[edit]

Two internal territories were established under section 122 of the Constitution of Australia by the Northern Australia Act 1926,[32] which took effect on 1 February 1927 and divided the Northern Territory along the 20th parallel south into North Australia and Central Australia.[33] The division was part of a scheme intended to improve governance of the vast Territory and to facilitate its eventual development toward statehood.[34] Each territory was administered by a Government Resident. These administrators were located in Darwin and Alice Springs respectively, and were assisted by a partly elected Advisory Council. The scheme was abandoned on 12 June 1931, when the Northern Australia Act was repealed and the two territories were reincorporated into a single Northern Territory.[33] Both had used the Australian flag during their existence, as neither possessed a distinctive flag of its own.

Former internal territories of Australia
Current flag Flag during administration Former territory Government resident Notes
North Australia Darwin Northern portion of the Northern Territory, divided at the 20th parallel south.[33]
Central Australia Alice Springs Southern portion of the Northern Territory, divided at the 20th parallel south.[33]

Former external territories

[edit]

Several external territories were administered by Australia before achieving independence or being transferred to another arrangement. Two of these, the Territory of New Guinea and Nauru, were formerly part of German New Guinea, which was partitioned between Australia and other powers after World War I. The Territory of New Guinea was subsequently combined with the Territory of Papua and became part of present-day Papua New Guinea, while Nauru became an independent country.

The Territory of Papua had a distinctive constitutional history. In 1883, amid concerns about German colonial expansion, Sir Thomas McIlwraith, the Premier of Queensland, attempted to annex eastern New Guinea in the name of The Crown. The attempt was condemned by the Imperial Government and did not proceed, but it led to the establishment of a British protectorate over southeastern New Guinea in 1884. In 1888 the territory became a Crown Colony, with an Imperial Administrator appointed from London. Under the Letters Patent of 8 June 1888, the Administrator was subject to the control of the Governor of Queensland, who was to consult his ministers but was not bound by their advice; the Governor exercised this authority as persona designata, in his personal capacity as an individual designated by the Crown, rather than as a representative of the Queensland government.[35] This arrangement continued until the territory was formally placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1902; the Papua Act 1905 subsequently provided for its government as an Australian territory.[36]

Former external territories of Australia
Current country and flag Flag during administration Former territory Period Status Legislature Autonomy Notes

Papua New Guinea		 Territory of Papua (1888-1902)[t]
1902–1949		 External territory
(Administered on behalf of the British Crown 1902-1906)		 Legislative Council, nominated and advisory from 1906 None (Crown colony administration) Formerly British New Guinea, under Imperial control but the guidance of the Queensland Governor. Transferred to Australian Commonwealth authority in 1902; the Papua Act 1905 provided for its government.
Territory of New Guinea 1920–1949 League of Nations mandate Legislative Council (nominated and purely advisory, 1921–1949)[37] None (LoN Mandatory administration) Formerly part of German New Guinea. Administered by Australia under mandate. The New Guinea Act 1920 provided for the form of Government.
[u] Territory of Papua and New Guinea 1949–1975 United Nations trust territory Legislative Council of Papua and New Guinea (Largely appointed and advisory; 1951-1963)
House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea (1964-1975)		 Limited self-government from 1973 until Independence Administrative union of Papua and New Guinea after WWII. The territory was renamed Papua New Guinea by the Papua New Guinea Act 1971, before independence in 1975.[38] The current flag was adopted on 1 July 1971.

Republic of Nauru		 Territory of Nauru 1920–1968 League of Nations mandate later United Nations trust territory Council of Chiefs (advisory, 1927–1951)
Nauru Local Government Council (elected but advisory, 1951–1992)
Legislative Council (with elected majority, 1966–present)		 Limited self-government from 1966 until independence Formerly part of German New Guinea. Administered by Australia on behalf of itself, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, first under mandate, then under trust.[v]

Governance

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Constitutional framework

[edit]

The legislative powers of the states are protected by the Australian constitution, section 107,[39] and under the principle of federalism, Commonwealth legislation only applies to the states where permitted by the constitution. The territories, by contrast, are from a constitutional perspective directly subject to the Commonwealth government; laws for territories are determined by the Australian Parliament.[40]

Most of the territories are directly administered by the Commonwealth government, while two (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) have some degree of self-government although less than that of the states.[3] In the self-governing territories, the Australian Parliament retains the full power to legislate, and can override laws made by the territorial institutions, which it has done on rare occasions.[3] For the purposes of Australian (and joint Australia-New Zealand) intergovernmental bodies, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are treated as if they were states.

The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each elect two senators.[41] The other territories do not have separate Senate representation. Residents of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands vote in the Northern Territory electorate of Lingiari; Norfolk Island residents vote in the ACT electorate of Bean; and Jervis Bay Territory residents are included in the ACT. These territories are represented in the House of Representatives through mainland electorates rather than by separate territory members.[42] Excluding the Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory (which are governed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), the external territories are governed by the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.[43] Norfolk Island had its own legislature from 1979 until 2015.[44]

Governors and administrators

[edit]

Each state has a governor, appointed by the monarch (currently Charles III), which by convention he does on the advice of the state premier.[45] The Administrator of the Northern Territory, by contrast, is appointed by the governor-general.[46] The Australian Capital Territory has neither a governor nor an administrator. Instead, since the enactment of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth), the functions of the head of the Executive, commissioning government, proroguing parliament and enacting legislation, are exercised by the Assembly itself and by the chief minister.[47]

Post Incumbent Appointed
Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley 2 May 2019
Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner 9 August 2023
Governor of Queensland Jeannette Young[w] 1 November 2021
Governor of Western Australia Chris Dawson 15 July 2022
Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson[x] 7 October 2021
Governor of Tasmania Caroline Wells 17 June 2026
Administrator of the Northern Territory David Connolly 27 February 2026
Administrator of Norfolk Island Fiona McKergow 1 June 2026
Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories Farzian Zainal 1 June 2026

Premiers and chief ministers

[edit]

The head of government of each state is called the "premier", appointed by the state's governor.[48] In normal circumstances, the governor will appoint as premier whoever leads the party or coalition which exercises control of the lower house (in the case of Queensland, the only house) of the state parliament. However, in times of constitutional crisis, the governor can appoint someone else as premier.[48] The head of government of the self-governing internal territories is called the "chief minister". The Northern Territory's chief minister, in normal circumstances whoever controls the legislative assembly, is appointed by the administrator.

Post Incumbent Political party Appointed
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns MP Labor 25 March 2023
Premier of Victoria Ben Carroll MP Labor 28 July 2026
Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli MP Liberal National 28 October 2024
Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook MLA Labor 8 June 2023
Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas MP Labor 21 March 2022
Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff MP Liberal 8 April 2022
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr MLA Labor 11 December 2014
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Lia Finocchiaro MLA Country Liberal 28 August 2024

Parliaments and representative government

[edit]

Each state has a bicameral parliament, except Queensland, which abolished its upper house in 1922.[49][1] The lower house is called the "legislative assembly", except in South Australia and Tasmania, where it is called the "house of assembly". Tasmania is the only state to use proportional representation for elections to its lower house; all others elect members from single member constituencies, using preferential voting. The upper house is called the "legislative council" and is generally elected from multi-member constituencies using proportional representation. The ACT and the Northern Territory each have unicameral legislative assemblies.[1] The legislative assembly for the ACT is the only parliament with responsibility for both state/territory and local government functions.[1]

Legislatures and local government of the Australian states and territories
Symbol Jurisdiction Legislature Type Upper house (seats) Lower house (seats) Electorates Local government areas (2025)
New South Wales Parliament of New South Wales Bicameral Legislative Council (42) Legislative Assembly (93) 93 single-member districts 128 councils[y]
Victoria Parliament of Victoria Bicameral Legislative Council (40) Legislative Assembly (88) 88 single-member districts 79 councils
Queensland Parliament of Queensland Unicameral None (abolished 1922) Legislative Assembly (93) 93 single-member districts 77 councils[z]
Western Australia Parliament of Western Australia Bicameral Legislative Council (36) Legislative Assembly (59) 59 single-member districts 137 local governments
South Australia Parliament of South Australia Bicameral Legislative Council (22) House of Assembly (47) 47 single-member districts 68 councils
Tasmania Parliament of Tasmania Bicameral Legislative Council (15) House of Assembly (35) 5 multi-member divisions 29 councils
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Unicameral None Legislative Assembly (25) 5 multi-member electorates 0[aa]
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Unicameral None Legislative Assembly (25) 25 single-member divisions 16 councils[ab]
Norfolk Island Norfolk Island Regional Council[ac] Unicameral (local government) None Regional Council (5) N/A (local government) 1 council (under administration)
Christmas Island Shire of Christmas Island Unicameral (local government) None Shire Council (9) N/A (local government) 1 shire
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Unicameral (local government) None Shire Council (7) N/A (local government) 1 shire
Jervis Bay Territory No legislature — — — — 0[ad]
Uninhabited territories[ae] No legislature — — — — 0[af]

Indigenous representative bodies

[edit]

Several jurisdictions have dedicated Indigenous representative, electoral, or advisory bodies. These operate alongside the general state and territory parliaments and local government structures. The table below summarises the main bodies and their composition.

Indigenous representative bodies of the Australian states and territories
Symbol and jurisdiction Body Type Composition Established Notes

New South Wales		 New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Elected land council 9 councillors (one per region)[ag] 1983 Largest member-based Aboriginal organisation in Australia.

Victoria		 First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Elected representative 34 members (12 reserved seats, 22 general seats) 2019 Democratically elected body representing Traditional Owners in the Treaty process.

Queensland		 Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Elected representative 20 elected members 1994 Commonwealth statutory authority for the Torres Strait region.

South Australia		 South Australian First Nations Voice Elected representative 6 Local Voices + State Voice[ah] 2023 First state-based elected Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia.

Tasmania		 Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) Elected land council 8 members 1995 Elected for a three-year term, representing five electoral areas.

Western Australia		 Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia (AACWA) Advisory (appointed) 12 members 1995 Appointed body providing advice to the WA Government on Aboriginal affairs.

Northern Territory		 Central Land Council (CLC) Elected land council 90 members 1976 Covers the southern half of the NT, representing around 24,000 Aboriginal people.
Northern Land Council (NLC) Elected land council 78 members 1976 Covers the Top End, including the Tiwi Islands and Groote Eylandt.
Tiwi Land Council (TLC) Elected land council 24 members 1978 Represents the Tiwi people of Bathurst and Melville Islands.
Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) Elected land council 12 members 1991 Represents the Anindilyakwa people of the Groote Archipelago.

Courts

[edit]

Each state and territory has its own Supreme Court, which is the highest court within that jurisdiction. The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal for all Australian jurisdictions and hears appeals from state and territory Supreme Courts.[52] Larger jurisdictions have a permanent Court of Appeal, while smaller jurisdictions constitute a Full Court or Court of Appeal on an ad hoc basis.

Supreme Courts of the Australian states and territories
Symbol Jurisdiction Supreme Court Head of jurisdiction Judicial officers Appellate structure
New South Wales Supreme Court of New South Wales Chief Justice Andrew Bell 61[ai][53] Permanent Court of Appeal
Victoria Supreme Court of Victoria Chief Justice Richard Niall 32[aj][54] Permanent Court of Appeal
Queensland Supreme Court of Queensland Chief Justice Helen Bowskill 26[ak][55] Permanent Court of Appeal
Western Australia Supreme Court of Western Australia Chief Justice Peter Quinlan 21[al][56] Permanent Court of Appeal
South Australia Supreme Court of South Australia Chief Justice Chris Kourakis 13[am][57] Full Court (ad hoc)
Tasmania Supreme Court of Tasmania Chief Justice Alan Blow 7[an][58] Full Court (ad hoc)
Northern Territory Supreme Court of the Northern Territory Chief Justice Michael Grant 6[ao][59] Court of Appeal (ad hoc)
Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory Chief Justice Lucy McCallum 6[ap][60] Court of Appeal (ad hoc)
Norfolk Island Supreme Court of Norfolk Island Chief Justice Robert Bromwich Chief Justice and other judges appointed by the Governor-General[61] Appeals to the Federal Court of Australia

Residents of the Jervis Bay Territory fall within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. External territories have varied judicial arrangements, with most subject to the courts of a state or internal territory.

Police

[edit]

Each state and the Northern Territory has its own police force. The Australian Capital Territory is policed by ACT Policing, a business unit of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), under a purchase agreement with the ACT Government. The AFP also provides policing services to the external territories.[62]

Police forces of the Australian states and territories
Jurisdiction Police force Commissioner / Chief Officer Sworn officers Total staff
New South Wales NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon[aq] ~16,000[ar] ~20,600
Victoria Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush[as] ~15,500[at] ~21,300
Queensland Queensland Police Service Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing[au] 13,011[av] ~19,600
Western Australia Western Australia Police Force Commissioner Col Blanch[aw] 7,145[ax] ~8,000
South Australia South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens[ay] 4,674[az] ~6,300
Tasmania Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams[ba] ~1,450[bb] 1,555
Northern Territory Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole[bc] 1,782[bd] ~2,200
Australian Capital Territory ACT Policing[be] Chief Police Officer Scott Lee[bf] ~606[bg] 1,041
External territories[bh] Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett[bi] 3,578[bj] 8,328

Comparative terminology

[edit]
Entity Type of entity Tie to the monarch Domestic administrator Head of government Upper House of Parliament Lower House of Parliament Member of Parliament
Upper house Lower house[note 1]
Commonwealth of Australia Federal government Direct Governor-general Prime minister Senate House of Representatives Senator MP
South Australia Federated state Direct (established by the Australia Act 1986) Governor Premier Legislative Council House of Assembly MLC
Tasmania
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Victoria
Western Australia MLA
Queensland N/A (abolished 1922) N/a MP
Australian Capital Territory Self-governing territory Indirect (through the governor-general) Assembly and chief minister Chief minister N/a MLA
Northern Territory Administrator
Christmas Island External territory Shire president Shire Council Councillor
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Norfolk Island Lead Administrator[bk] Regional Council[bl]
Note:
  1. ↑ The abbreviations MLA and MHA were previously the acceptable term for members of lower houses in states that now use MP.

Statistics

[edit]

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 per cent 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.

Population density figures in the table below are drawn from Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates for March 2026, consistent with the state and territory tables above. The "In capital" percentages are derived from the 2021 Census, the most recent census for which place-of-usual-residence data is available.

Area, density and population concentration of the Australian states and territories
State / territory Land area[13]
km² • sq mi • Rank		 Marine area[13]
km² • sq mi • Rank		 Total area[13]
km² • sq mi • Rank		 Population density
/km² • /sq mi • Rank		 In capital[82]
% • Rank
New South Wales 801,150309,3305 8,8023,3987 809,952312,7245 10.8228.03 63.0%5
Victoria 227,44487,8176 10,2133,9436 237,65791,7606 31.4681.52 71.0%4
Queensland 1,729,742667,8572 121,99447,1021 1,914,736739,2842 3.328.65 46.0%7
Western Australia 2,527,013975,6851 115,74044,6902 2,642,7531,020,3731 1.233.27 73.4%3
South Australia 984,321380,0484 60,03223,1784 1,044,353403,2274 1.955.16 73.5%2
Tasmania 68,40126,4107 22,3578,6325 90,75835,0427 8.4922.04 41.0%8
Australian Capital Territory 2,3589108 008 2,3589108 207.75381 99.6%1
Northern Territory 1,347,791520,3853 71,83927,7373 1,419,630548,1203 0.200.528 54.0%6

Geography and borders

[edit]

Australia is separated from Maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea by the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea, and the Torres Strait, from Island Melanesia by the Coral Sea, and from New Zealand by the Tasman Sea. The world's smallest continent, Australia is also the sixth-largest country by land area. Australia has a mainland coastline of 32,994 kilometres (20,502 mi)[83] and claims an exclusive economic zone of about 8,200,000 square kilometres (3,200,000 sq mi).[84]

The term interstate is used within Australia to refer to a number of events, transactions, registrations, travel, etc. which occurs across borders or outside of the particular state or territory of the user of the term. Examples of use include motor vehicle registration,[85] travel,[86] applications to educational institutions out of one's home state.[87]

There are very few urban areas bifurcated by state or territory borders. The Queensland-New South Wales border runs through Coolangatta (Queensland) and Tweed Heads (New South Wales) and splits Gold Coast Airport. Oaks Estate, a contiguous residential of Queanbeyan, was excised out of New South Wales when the Australian Capital Territory was established in 1909. Some Urban Centres and Localities reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics include some agglomerations of cities spreading across state borders, including Gold Coast–Tweed Heads, Canberra–Queanbeyan, Albury–Wodonga (New South Wales-Victoria) and Mildura–Wentworth (Victoria-New South Wales)

Borders

[edit]

State and territory codes

[edit]
State/territory Abbrev. Call signs Postal Telephone numbers in Australia Time zone
AM/FM TV Amateur Abbrev. Postcode Std Summer
New South Wales NSW 2xx(x)xx(x)NnVK2xx NSW 1nnn,[nb 1] 2nnn+61 2 xxxx xxxx[nb 2]+10 (+9+1⁄2 +10+1⁄2)[nb 3]+11 (+10+1⁄2)[nb 4]
Victoria Vic 3xx(x)xx(x)VnVK3xx VIC 3nnn, 8nnn[nb 1]+61 3 xxxx xxxx[nb 2]+10+11
Queensland Qld 4xx(x)xx(x)QnVK4xx QLD 4nnn, 9nnn[nb 1]+61 7 xxxx xxxx+10
Western Australia WA 6xx(x)xx(x)WnVK6xx WA 6nnn+61 8 9xxx xxxx
+61 8 6xxx xxxx		+8
South Australia SA 5xx(x)xx(x)SnVK5xx SA 5nnn+61 8 8xxx xxxx
+61 8 7xxx xxxx		+9+1⁄2+10+1⁄2
Tasmania Tas 7xx(x)xx(x)TnVK7xx TAS 7nnn+61 3 6xxx xxxx+10+11
Australian Capital Territory ACT 1xx(x)[nb 5]xx(x)Cn[nb 5]VK1xx[nb 5] ACT 02nn,[nb 1] 26nn, 29nn+61 2 62xx xxxx
+61 2 61xx xxxx		+10+11
Northern Territory NT 8xx(x)xx(x)DnVK8xx NT 08nn+61 8 89xx xxxx+9+1⁄2
Jervis Bay Territory JBT 2xx(x)xx(x)NnVK2xx ACT 2540+61 2 44xx xxxx+10+11
External territories
Christmas Island 6xx(x)xx(x)WnVK9xx WA 6798+61 8 9164 xxxx+7
Norfolk Island 2xx(x)xx(x)NnVK2xx NSW 2899+672 3 xx xxx+11+12
Cocos (Keeling) Islands 6xx(x)xx(x)WnVK9xx WA 6799+61 8 9162 xxxx+6+1⁄2
Australian Antarctic Territory AAT none VK0xx TAS 7151+672 1 +6 to +8
Coral Sea Islands None QLD N/aN/aNone
Ashmore and Cartier Islands None N/a N/aN/a+8
Heard Island and McDonald Islands None TAS 7151N/a+5
  1. 1 2 3 4 This is used for some PO box and large users only.
  2. 1 2 Some exceptions apply to numbers in this state's number range.
  3. ↑ The state of New South Wales observes Australian Eastern Standard Time except for Broken Hill and the surrounding region, which observes Australian Central Standard Time and Lord Howe Island which is 30 minutes ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time.
  4. ↑ Broken Hill and surrounding region observe Australian Central Summer Time. Lord Howe Island adopts Australian Eastern Summer Time.
  5. 1 2 3 A number of broadcast stations in the ACT have call signs allocated as if ACT were part of New South Wales.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 The Australian Antarctic Territory covers nearly 5.9 million square kilometres, about 42% of Antarctica, but this claim is only recognised by France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.[26] Antarctic territorial claims are generally unrecognised by the international community.
  2. ↑ Unless provided, references and details on data provided in the table can be found within the individual state and territory articles.
  3. ↑ Perth was defined as the capital by statute in 2016: City of Perth Act 2016 (WA) in AustLII.
  4. ↑ Unless provided, references and details on data provided in the table can be found within the individual state and territory articles.
  5. ↑ Jervis Bay Village is the largest settlement; the territory has no official capital.
  6. ↑ The Department of Infrastructure acts as the de facto state and local government for the Jervis Bay Territory. It has overall responsibility for providing local and state government-type services, either directly or through service delivery agreements with ACT and NSW government agencies, Shoalhaven City Council, and private contractors. These services include vehicle registration, driver licensing, domestic animal control, electricity connection, and management of Commonwealth-owned housing.
  7. ↑ The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council was established under the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986. It is the sole owner and manager of Aboriginal land in the territory and exercises by-law-making power over 403 hectares in and around Wreck Bay Village. Shoalhaven City Council provides specific services under contract, including waste collection and library services.
  8. ↑ Unless provided, references and details on data provided in the table can be found within the individual state and territory articles.
  9. ↑ Population figures for external territories are drawn from various sources (2021 Census, 2025 estimates, seasonal staff counts) and may not be directly comparable.
  10. ↑ Responsible Minister: Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, serving as Minister for Territories.
  11. ↑ The Norfolk Island Regional Council is under administration. Scott Mason (Lead Administrator) and Gary Mottau (Financial Administrator) were appointed from 6 December 2024, with their appointments extended until 31 December 2026.
  12. ↑ The flag of Christmas Island is widely used in the territory, but has not been proclaimed as a flag of Australia under the Flags Act 1953.
  13. ↑ The flag of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is widely used in the territory, but has not been proclaimed as a flag of Australia under the Flags Act 1953.
  14. ↑ Under the definitions in ISO 3166-1, the AAT is covered by the Antarctican ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code "AQ".
  15. ↑ No permanent population. Research staff numbers fluctuate seasonally, with approximately 80 in winter and up to 200 in summer.
  16. ↑ A division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Responsible Minister: Minister for the Environment and Water.
  17. ↑ No permanent population; Willis Island is staffed by 3–4 meteorological personnel on a rotating basis.
  18. ↑ Most of which is ocean.
  19. ↑ Responsible Minister: Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, serving as Minister for Territories.
  20. ↑ A unique constitutional arrangement with the Imperial Administrator being guided by the Governor of Queensland but not subservient to the Governor. The Governor in turn as a designated person, acted outside his role as Governor, but was able to take advice from his government, but unlike his role as Governor of Queensland he was not bound by the advice of his ministers in relation to the Colony of Papua.
  21. ↑ The Australian Blue Ensign was used for most purposes until mid-1971. The PNG National Flag was adopted on 1 July 1971 and became the preferred flag from that date, though the Australian flag retained precedence until independence in 1975.
  22. ↑ The League of Nations mandate for Nauru was conferred on 17 December 1920. The mandate was held jointly by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with Australia as the administering authority.
  23. ↑ Justice Thomas Bradley was appointed to succeed Dr Jeannette Young, effective 1 November 2026.
  24. ↑ Grant Stevens was appointed to succeed Frances Adamson, effective 9 December 2026.
  25. ↑ Includes 120 local government areas and 8 unincorporated areas.
  26. ↑ Includes 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils.
  27. ↑ The ACT has no separate local government system; the ACT Government performs these functions. Several community councils operate as non-political advocacy groups.
  28. ↑ Includes 5 municipal, 3 shire, and 10 regional councils, some of which are Aboriginal community government councils.
  29. ↑ The Norfolk Island Regional Council is under administration, with Scott Mason (Lead Administrator) and Gary Mottau (Financial Administrator) appointed until 31 December 2026. A new Norfolk Island Assembly, comprising five elected members, is planned. The first stage will be a five-member Transition Assembly.[50][51]
  30. ↑ Administered directly by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council functions as the territory's de facto legislative body, exercising by-law-making power over 403 hectares of Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986.
  31. ↑ The uninhabited external territories are the Australian Antarctic Territory, the Coral Sea Islands, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
  32. ↑ Administered by the Australian Antarctic Division (for the Australian Antarctic Territory and Heard Island and McDonald Islands) or the Department of Infrastructure (for the Coral Sea Islands and Ashmore and Cartier Islands).
  33. ↑ Elected by registered voting members of Local Aboriginal Land Councils. There are over 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils across NSW.
  34. ↑ Each Local Voice elects two members to the State First Nations Voice.
  35. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, 9 Judges of Appeal, 42 Judges, and associate and acting judges.
  36. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice, 9 Judges of Appeal, and 22 Trial Division judges.
  37. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice, 5 Court of Appeal judges, and 20 Trial Division judges.
  38. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice, judges of the Court of Appeal, and judges of the General Division.
  39. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice and 12 other judges.
  40. ↑ Maximum of 7 judges under the Supreme Court Act 1887; currently 6 judges constitute the Court.
  41. ↑ Resident judges; additional and acting judges are appointed from time to time.
  42. ↑ Includes the Chief Justice and 5 resident judges. Additional judges from the Federal Court assist from time to time.
  43. ↑ Mal Lanyon was appointed the 24th Commissioner on 1 October 2025 for a five-year term.[63]
  44. ↑ More than 16,000 sworn officers; authorised strength is 18,398.[64]
  45. ↑ Mike Bush commenced his term as the 24th Chief Commissioner on 27 June 2025 for a five-year term.[65]
  46. ↑ 15,463 sworn officers as at March 2026, down from 16,191 in June 2024. The force has shed 728 full-time officers over that period.[66]
  47. ↑ Brett Pointing was appointed Acting Commissioner from 21 February 2026 for a 12-month interim period following the retirement of Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.[67]
  48. ↑ Sworn officer numbers surpassed 13,000 for the first time in Queensland's history in 2026.[68]
  49. ↑ Col Blanch was appointed the 23rd Commissioner effective 15 July 2022 for a five-year term.[69]
  50. ↑ 7,401 headcount and 7,144.94 FTE police officers as at 7 May 2026.[70]
  51. ↑ Grant Stevens was appointed Governor of South Australia in October 2026, effective 9 December 2026. He will formally step down as Commissioner on 23 October 2026, with Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams to assume the role in an acting capacity.[71]
  52. ↑ 4,674.2 sworn officers as at May 2026, with a target of 5,000 by 2030-31.[72]
  53. ↑ Donna Adams commenced as Tasmania's 15th Commissioner of Police and Secretary of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management on 11 October 2022.[73]
  54. ↑ Approximately 1,450 active police officers as at February 2026.[74]
  55. ↑ Martin Dole was commissioned as the 15th Commissioner on 31 October 2025 for a term ending in 2029.[75][76]
  56. ↑ 1,782.33 FTE sworn officers as at 25 March 2026. The defined establishment is 1,844.[77]
  57. ↑ ACT Policing is a business unit of the Australian Federal Police, which provides community policing services to the ACT under a purchase agreement with the ACT Government.[62]
  58. ↑ Scott Lee serves as a Deputy Commissioner of the AFP and Chief Police Officer for the ACT. He was appointed in March 2024.[78]
  59. ↑ Approximately 606 sworn officers. ACT Policing has 169 sworn officers per 100,000 people, the lowest police density in the nation.[79]
  60. ↑ The Australian Federal Police provides policing services to Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island, and the Jervis Bay Territory.
  61. ↑ Krissy Barrett became the ninth Commissioner of the AFP and the first woman to lead the force on 4 October 2025.[80]
  62. ↑ AFP total staff as at 30 June 2025 was 8,328, comprising 3,578 police officers, 838 protective service officers, and 3,912 unsworn staff.[81]
  63. ↑ The Norfolk Island Regional Council is under administration and has no elected mayor.
  64. ↑ Between 1979 and 2015 Norfolk Island was a self-governing external territory with its own legislature, the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, until this was abolished by the Commonwealth Parliament in 2015. The Regional Council was established in 2016 but was suspended in 2020 and placed under administration.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Manager, Web (23 May 2022). "Australian levels of government". www.parliament.act.gov.au. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  2. ↑ Twomey, Anne (January 2008). "The States, the Commonwealth and the Crown: The Battle for Sovereignty". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "What's the difference between a territory and a state parliament?". Parliamentary Education Office. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Why Isn't the Northern Territory a State?". www.abc.net.au. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "Representation of Commonwealth Territories in the Senate". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "10. External territories". Australian Law Reform Commission. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Court System in Western Australia". www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Chapter III. The Judicature". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  9. ↑ A.H. McLintock (ed), An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 3 vols, Wellington, NZ:R.E. Owen, Government Printer, 1966, vol 3 p. 526.'
  10. ↑ "Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933". Federal Register of Legislation. 4 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  11. 1 2 ISO 3166-2:AU (ISO 3166-2 codes for the states and territories of Australia)
  12. ↑ "National, state and territory population". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 17 September 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Area of Australia – States and Territories". Geoscience Australia: National Location Information. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Current entitlement". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  15. ↑ ISO_3166-2:AU (ISO 3166-2 codes for the states and territories of Australia)
  16. ↑ "National, state and territory population". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 17 September 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  17. ↑ "Area of Australia – States and Territories". Geoscience Australia: National Location Information. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Number of Members". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  19. ↑ "Jervis Bay Territory in Australia". City Population. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Jervis Bay 305 Population [2025] – Estimate
  20. ↑ "Norfolkøya". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 October 2026. Innbyggjartal 2193 (2025)
  21. ↑ "Notification of Determination Section 49 Certificate – Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 – 2026". Federal Register of Legislation. p. 2. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Norfolk Island 2,193
  22. ↑ "Legislative and governance structures in Australia's Indian Ocean Territories". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Christmas Island's current estimated population of 1348 ...
  23. ↑ "Christmas Island". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Retrieved 9 October 2026. The Christmas Island population of approximately 1,690 ...
  24. ↑ "Cocos (Keeling) Islands". Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2026. The islands have a total land area of 14 square kilometres and support a population of 593 (ABS 2021)
  25. ↑ "Indian Ocean Territories". Regional Development Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Cocos (Keeling) Islands 593
  26. ↑ Antarctic Territory claims and The Antarctic Treaty System
  27. ↑ "The Australian Antarctic Territory" (PDF). Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. p. 2. Retrieved 9 October 2026. A range of around 80 to 200 research staff inhabit the territory in its research stations, with some operating on a seasonal basis.
  28. ↑ "Heard Island and McDonald Islands". Australian Antarctic Program. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Heard Island and McDonald Islands are unoccupied by humans ...
  29. ↑ "Coral Sea Islands — Facts, Capital, Population, Flag & Profile". CountryReports. Retrieved 9 October 2026. Population:3
  30. ↑ "How Willis Island weather observers survive life working at the remote outpost off Queensland". ABC News. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  31. ↑ "Ashmore and Cartier Islands". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Retrieved 9 October 2026. The islands are uninhabited ...
  32. ↑ "Northern Australia Act 1926". Federal Register of Legislation. The Australian Government. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Ling, Ted. "Dividing the Territory, 1926–31". Commonwealth Government Records about the Northern Territory. National Archives of Australia. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  34. ↑ Donovan, P.F. (1984). "New Directions: 1920 to 1931". At the other end of Australia: the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory, 1911-1978. St. Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. pp. 49–92. ISBN 0702219142. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  35. ↑ "Strachan v. The Commonwealth" (PDF). Commonwealth Law Reports. 4: 455–468. 1906. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  36. ↑ "New Guinea—The Australian Colonies - Hansard - UK Parliament". Hansard. UK Parliament. House of Commons (UK). 13 May 1887. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  37. ↑ "New Guinea Act 1920-1935". Laws of the Territory of New Guinea 1921-1945 (Annotated). Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  38. ↑ "Papua New Guinea Act 1971". Federal Register of Legislation. The Australian Government. 13 December 1971. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  39. ↑ "Saving of Power of State Parliaments". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  40. ↑ "Government of territories". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  41. ↑ "Why are there only 2 senators for each territory?". Parliamentary Education Office. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  42. ↑ "Territory senators". Parliamentary Education Office. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  43. ↑ "Territories of Australia". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  44. ↑ Davey, Melissa (21 May 2015). "'We're not Australian': Norfolk Islanders adjust to shock of takeover by mainland". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  45. ↑ "What Does A State Governor Do?". www.moadoph.gov.au. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  46. ↑ "The Administrator". nt.gov.au. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  47. ↑ "Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth)". www.foundingdocs.gov.au. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  48. 1 2 Twomey, Anne (September 2011). "Changing the Leader — the Constitutional Conventions concerning the Resignation of Prime Ministers and Premiers". Federal Law Review. 39 (3): 330–331. doi:10.22145/flr.39.3.1. ISSN 0067-205X.
  49. ↑ "Overview - Queensland Parliament". www.parliament.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  50. ↑ "New local governance for Norfolk Island". Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  51. ↑ "A new step towards restoring local democracy for Norfolk Island". Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. 3 August 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  52. ↑ "High Court of Australia". High Court of Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  53. ↑ "Judicial officers". Supreme Court of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  54. ↑ "Judges". Supreme Court of Victoria. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  55. ↑ "Judges". Supreme Court of Queensland. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  56. ↑ "State Courts". Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  57. ↑ "Supreme Court". Courts Administration Authority of South Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  58. ↑ "Judges". Supreme Court of Tasmania. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  59. ↑ "Judges". Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  60. ↑ "About the Courts". ACT Courts and Tribunal. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  61. ↑ "Supreme Court of Norfolk Island". Australian Government Directory. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  62. 1 2 "Locations". Australian Federal Police. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  63. ↑ "Commissioner". NSW Police Force. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  64. ↑ "Promises and regrets: veteran cop tapped for top job". The Canberra Times. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2026. overseeing more than 16,000 sworn officers and a $5.6 billion annual budget
  65. ↑ "Chief Commissioner". Victoria Police. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  66. ↑ "Police stations won't reopen despite a $62 million recruitment boost". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. from 16,191 sworn officers in June 2024 to 15,463 by March of this year
  67. ↑ "New Police Commissioner to continue making Queensland safer". Queensland Government. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  68. ↑ "Record number of police as Crisafulli Government bolsters frontline". Queensland Government. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. sworn officer numbers have grown to 13,011
  69. ↑ "Col Blanch". Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2026. Effective 15 July 2022 he was appointed the 23rd Commissioner of Police.
  70. ↑ "Parliamentary Questions". Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2026. As at 7 May 2026, the Western Australia Police Force had a headcount of 7,401 and an Actual FTE of 7,144.94 (police officers).
  71. ↑ "Police Commissioner Grant Stevens appointed SA's next governor". ABC News. 6 October 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. He will formally step down from the commissioner's role on October 23, with Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams to assume the role in an acting capacity.
  72. ↑ "Searching for a career change? Perhaps you belong in blue". Government of South Australia. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. taking South Australia's frontline policing capability to 4674.2 officers
  73. ↑ "Commissioner of Police". Tasmania Police. Retrieved 10 October 2026. Commencing on 11 October as Tasmania's 15th Commissioner of Police
  74. ↑ "Number of Tasmania Police officers off duty due to mental health doubles in five years". ABC News. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. There are about 1,450 active police officers.
  75. ↑ "Executive Leadership". NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Retrieved 10 October 2026. Martin Dole... Due to his exemplary service, Mr Dole was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police in May 2024.
  76. ↑ "Martin Dole". Australian Government Directory. Retrieved 10 October 2026. Commissioner of Police, NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services Mr. Martin Dole
  77. ↑ "Estimates Committee Question Taken on Notice". Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. Retrieved 10 October 2026. As at pay 20 (25 March 2026) the full time equivalent for all of the NTPF (sworn) is 1782.33.
  78. ↑ "Chief Police Officer". ACT Policing. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  79. ↑ "How ACT police fare in the 2026 national report card". The Canberra Times. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026. 169 sworn officers per 100,000 people - the lowest police density in the nation
  80. ↑ "Our Executive". Australian Federal Police. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  81. ↑ "AFP Annual Report 2024–25" (PDF). Australian Federal Police. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  82. ↑ Cite error: The named reference ABS2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  83. ↑ "Border Lengths – States and Territories". Geoscience Australia. Commonwealth of Australia. 2004. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  84. ↑ "Oceans and Seas". Geoscience Australia. Australian Government. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  85. ↑ "Interstate-registered vehicles". sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  86. ↑ "Interstate travel". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  87. ↑ "Applying interstate". VTAC. Retrieved 18 August 2019.

Further reading

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