Aussie Survival Guide
Difference between States and Territories
 Australia
has six states:
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
…and two mainland territories:
Australian Capital Territory
The Northern Territory
What’s the difference? There are several differences
between a State and a Territory.
For example, Territorians do not have constitutional
rights to representation in the Commonwealth
(Australian) Parliament. The Northern Territory
currently has 4 representatives in the Commonwealth
Parliament: 2 Members in the House of Representatives
and 2 Senators in the Senate. These positions have been
created by Commonwealth laws that could be changed by
the Commonwealth Parliament at any time. States have
guaranteed representation in the Commonwealth Parliament
under the Australian Constitution. Each State has a
minimum of 5 members in the House of Representatives and
12 Senators in the Senate.
Control of Territory Parliament and Territory laws
The Commonwealth (Australian) Parliament has more legal
control over a Territory than a State. The States have
final authority over their legal areas of
responsibility. This means The Territory does not have
the same control over the laws it makes. Even with
Self-Government which created the Northern Territory
Parliament in 1978, the Territory Parliament and people
are under the final control of the Commonwealth
Parliament. Because of this control:
- the Commonwealth can cancel a law made by the Northern
Territory Parliament without asking Territorians
- the Commonwealth can also change the powers the
Northern Territory Parliament has been given without
asking Territorians
- the Commonwealth can dissolve the Northern Territory
Parliament without asking Territorians.
All States and Territories make their own laws regarding
a wide range of issues including such matters as driving
licences, education and health systems, building
regulations and many others.
While there is discussion on standardising such matters,
you must be aware that when you move between states
currently, things change. What’s legal in one state is
not permissible in others. Until you feel totally at
home, make sure you check you’re doing the right thing
for the state you’re in.
For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_territories
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