States and Territories

Australia is divided into six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, and two main territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Each territory and state has its own legislature. Minor territories of Australia include part of Antarctica (the Australian Antractic Territory) as well as: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Ses Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Under Australia's federal system of government, the states and territories play a major role in providing government information and services to the public, and each state and territory have their own legislature.