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. Melbourne was the initial capital following the 1901 Federation of Australia. In 1927, the seat of national government was moved to the newly created city of Canberra, which continues to serve as the national capital.
Each capital city hosts the judicial, administrative and legislative functions for its jurisdiction. 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]
Jurisdiction | Capital | City Population [2] | State/Territory Population [3] | Percentage of State/Territory population in capital city | Date of statehood | Capital since | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia and Australian Capital Territory | Canberra | 403,468 | 403,468 | 100.00% | Must remain a territory as per s.125 of the Australian Constitution [N 1] | 1913 | |
New South Wales | Sydney | 5,029,768 | 7,759,274 | 64.82% | 1788 | 1788 | ![]() |
Victoria | Melbourne | 4,725,316 | 6,179,249 | 76.47% | 1851 | 1851 | ![]() |
Queensland | Brisbane | 2,360,241 | 4,848,877 | 48.68% | 1859 | 1860 | ![]() |
Western Australia | Perth | 2,022,044 | 2,558,951 | 79.02% | 1829 | 1829 | ![]() |
South Australia | Adelaide | 1,324,279 | 1,713,054 | 77.31% | 1836 | 1836 | ![]() |
Tasmania | Hobart | 224,462 | 517,588 | 43.37% | 1825 | 1826 | ![]() |
Northern Territory | Darwin | 145,916 | 245,740 | 59.38% | Has not attained Statehood [N 2] | 1911 | ![]() |