[3] They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries and law enforcement agencies that administer and deliver public policies and programs.

Territories can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs much like the states in practice, but are still legally subordinate to the federal government.

[6] Excluding the Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory (which are governed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), the external territories are governed by the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

These Acts contain the majority of provisions determining the legal and political structure applying in that external territory.

[25] Norfolk Island's status is controversial, with the present (as of 2018[update]) government taking measures to integrate the territory into Australia proper (including representation in parliament and compulsory voting).

The Norfolk Islanders have not formally consented to this change in constitutional status and assert that they are not Australian.

[10] Two internal territories established by the Australian federal government under Section 122 of the Constitution of Australia no longer exist: Two present-day Oceanic countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Nauru, were administered by the federal government of Australia as de facto or de jure external territories for differing periods between 1902 and 1975.

However, both territories remained technically distinct for some administrative and legal purposes, until 1975, when the combined entity eventually was given independence as Papua New Guinea.

Following World War I, the Australian government received a League of Nations mandate for Nauru.

Most of the major population centres are located east and south of the Great Dividing Range on the coastal plains and their associated hinterland regions.

[2] The Colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland, as well as Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Van Diemen's Land, in addition to the area currently referred to as the state of New South Wales.

The upper house is called the "legislative council" and is generally elected from multi-member constituencies using proportional representation.

The Northern Territory's chief minister, in normal circumstances whoever controls the legislative assembly, is appointed by the administrator.

Examples of use include motor vehicle registration,[57] travel,[58] applications to educational institutions out of one's home state.

Oaks Estate, a contiguous residential of Queanbeyan, was excised out of New South Wales when the Australian Capital Territory was established in 1909.