States And Territories Of Australia: Overarching divisions of authority in Australia

 

States

Areas	Abbreviation	Capital
New South Wales	NSW	Sydney
Queensland	QLD	Brisbane
South Australia	SA	Adelaide
Tasmania	TAS	Hobart
Victoria	VIC	Melbourne
Western Australia	WA	Perth

Territories

Mainland

Territory	Abbreviation	Capital
Australian Capital Territory	ACT	Canberra
Jervis Bay Territory	JBT
Northern Territory	NT	Darwin

Overseas territories

 

•   Ashmore and Cartier Islands
•   Australian Antarctic Territory
•   Norfolk Island
•   Christmas Island
•   Cocos (Keeling) Islands
•   Coral Sea Islands Territory
•   Heard and McDonald Islands

Former

• Territory of North Australia (1927-31)
• Territory of Central Australia (1927-31)
• Territory of Papua (1902-49)
• Territory of New Guinea (1920-49)
• Territory of Papua and New Guinea (1949-72)

The states started as separate British colonies before Federation (in 1901). Their powers are protected by the Australian constitution. The territories are under the control of the Commonwealth government. The Australian Parliament has powers to create laws in the territories that it does not have in the states.

Most of the territories are directly administered by the Commonwealth government. Three of the territories (the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Norfolk Island) administer themselves. In the territories that govern themselves, the Australian Parliament has the power to govern, and can override laws made by the territorial governments. It has done this at times, but it is rare that it happens. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are usually treated as states.

Each state has a governor. This governor is chosen by the Queen, but she chooses the person on the advice of the state Premier. The Administrators of the Northern Territory and of Norfolk Island are chosen by the Governor-General. The Australian Capital Territory is governed by the Governor-General.

The head of government of each state is called the Premier. This person is chosen by the state's Governor. Normally the Governor will select as Premier whoever leads the lower house of the state Parliament. However, the Governor can chose someone else as Premier. The head of government of the self-governing mainland territories is called the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, who normally whoever controls the Legislative Assembly, is appointed by the Administrator.

• Maps of Australia Archived 2008-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
• CityMayors article