 |
| Government type | federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm |
| Head of State |
The Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor-General HE Ms Quentin Bryce Head of Government: Prime Minister The Hon Ms Julia Gillard |
| Independence | 1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies) |
| Constitution |
9 July 1900 (Passed by the British Parliament and effective on 1 January 1901) |
| Legal system | based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts International Criminal Court jurisdiction with conditions |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
| Administrative divisions | 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia |