Australia is divided into six states:

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

And two main territories:

• the Australian Capital Territory
• the Northern Territory

Under Australia's federal system of government, the states and territories also play a major role in providing government information and services to the public.

Minor territories of Australia include part of Antarctica (the Australian Antarctic Territory) as well as:

• Ashmore and Cartier Islands
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Coral Sea Islands
• Jervis Bay Territory
• Norfolk Island
• Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Capital Cities

Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory, is Australia's national capital. The Parliament of Australia is located in Canberra, as is most of the Australian Government public service.

The other State and Territory capital cities are:

• Adelaide (South Australia)
• Brisbane (Queensland)
• Darwin (the Northern Territory)
• Hobart (Tasmania)
• Melbourne (Victoria)
• Perth (Western Australia)
• Sydney (New South Wales)