A common question asked in Australia’s socio-political culture is ‘What is the difference between an Australian state and an Australian territory?’

The six Australian states: New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania began as British independent colonies. At the Federation of 1901, the states decided they would all become under the ‘Commonwealth of Australia,’ and live happily ever after.

No; they would all be somewhat self-governed and have law-making rights within each state respectively but the Commonwealth also has certain law-making rights on specified subjects (defined in the Constitution).

The territories are, technically, wholly administrated by the Constitution. But; this is where there is confusion, which pops the earlier question amongst many of us. The two main Australian territories – the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory (also including Norfolk Island) – have gradually become self-governed. People often mention or relate these two territories in the same breath or sentence as the six states, hence the confusion.

There are now ten Australian territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Jervis Bay, Norfolk Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Indian Ocean Territories and the Australian Antarctic Territory. These territories are the land, in Australia, that aren’t occupied by a state.