Australia's territories
Australia's ten Territories are home to over half a million Australians. Each territory has different legal origins, and a different relationship with the Australian Government. Choose the territory you are interested in for details of its laws and governance.
In the past, the Australian Government has also administered territory in Nauru, New Guinea and Papua. These territories have since become the independent nations of Nauru and of Papua New Guinea. For more information about how Australia acquired its external territories - that is, all territories except the ACT, the NT and Jervis Bay Territory - please see Alan Kerr's book A Federation In These Seas
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Australian Antarctic Territory
Administered by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Christmas Island
Administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Coral Sea Islands
Administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Administered by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Jervis Bay Territory
Administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.