TRAVEL | Australia

22 days until my trip to Sydney! As I said before that I will get to know Australia beyond pretty pictures in travel brochures, I read more on the geographical divisions of the country. Australia, as you can see below, is divided into six states and two territories. So what is the difference between a state and a territory? Read on.

Australia's six states represent the six British colonies that joined together to create the Commonwealth of Australia.*

Any land within Australia's national border that is not claimed by one of the states is called a territory.*

Okay. so what is the difference!

Well territories do not have the right to convene their own government or pass laws as the states do. Under the Constitution, the Commonwealth makes the laws for the territories.*

But, the line is blur because the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are often treated like states, because the Commonwealth passed a law allowing each territory to convene a parliament and make their own laws in a similar manner to the states.*

Right, you would think what is the difference again?

Well, the difference here is that six states' powers are defined through the Constitution, but the powers of the territories are defined in the Commonwealth law which grants them the right of self-government. This also means that the Commonwealth can alter or revoke these powers at will.*

Now you see? Do you feel more like a smarter traveller now? I bet so.

*Australian Government: www.australia.gov.au