There are eight capital cities in Australia, each of which functions as the seat of government for the state or territory in which it is located.
The Constitution specified that until this national capital was ready, the Parliament would sit in Melbourne.
In each state and internal territory, the capital is also the jurisdiction's most populous city.
The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island has its official capital at Kingston, although this acts merely as the administrative centre of government; its de facto capital is Burnt Pine.
[1] National and ACTCanberra NSWSydney NTDarwin QLDBrisbane SAAdelaide TASHobart VICMelbourne WAPerth