Australian states and territories

Australia is divided into six states—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia—each with its own government responsible for areas like health, education, and transportation. Additionally, there are two territories—the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory—administered mainly by the federal government but with some local governance. States have more autonomy and constitutional recognition, while territories are smaller regions with governments created by federal legislation. Together, they form the political and administrative landscape of Australia, balancing regional needs with national unity.