[4] If the lieutenant-governor becomes incapacitated while serving in the office of governor, the next most senior judge of the Supreme Court is sworn in as administrator.
Tom Bathurst, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, is the current lieutenant governor.
At the time of 28 March 2014, the Commonwealth deputies of the Governor-General were Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO and Alex Chernov AC QC.
[8] Further deputies are appointed to exercise narrow powers, such as convening executive meetings, opening parliament and swearing in new politicians.
State governors hold a dormant commission to act as Administrator of the Commonwealth should the governor-general die, resign, or be absent overseas or on leave.
On 1 August 2015, Paul de Jersey held the office as administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia.
In the early and mid-19th century, lieutenant-governors ran Australasian sub-colonies that were initially subordinate to the colony of New South Wales, such as Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Victoria and the Bay of Islands (New Zealand).