How many Australian states are there?

There are six Australian states: New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (Vic), Queensland (Qld), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), and Tasmania (Tas). The six states are the constitutional foundation of the federation established on 1 January 1901 under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 of the British Parliament.

Each state was a self-governing British colony before federation. New South Wales was founded as a convict settlement at Sydney Cove in 1788. Tasmania (originally Van Diemen's Land) was founded as a penal settlement in 1804 and renamed in 1856. Western Australia was founded as a free settlement at Perth in 1829, with convict transport from 1850 to 1868. South Australia was founded as a free settlement at Adelaide in 1836. Victoria separated from New South Wales in 1851. Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859. All six voted in late-1890s referendums to federate as the Commonwealth of Australia.

Each state retains its own constitution, parliament, executive, and judiciary. State constitutions trace back to their colonial constitutions but have been modernised over the decades. State parliaments are bicameral in five of the six states (Queensland abolished its upper house in 1922 and remains unicameral). State governments are led by Premiers and ministers chosen from the majority party or coalition in the lower house. State Governors, the King's representatives in each state, appoint Premiers and ministers on the basis of party support.

States vary substantially in population and area. New South Wales has about 8.4 million people in 800,000 square kilometres. Victoria has about 6.9 million in 227,000 square kilometres. Queensland has about 5.6 million in 1.85 million square kilometres. Western Australia has about 2.9 million in 2.53 million square kilometres (the largest state). South Australia has about 1.85 million in 984,000 square kilometres. Tasmania has about 575,000 people in 68,000 square kilometres (the smallest state). State capitals are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart respectively, with about 80 per cent of each state's population concentrated in the capital city.