Australia's nine states and territories constitute the country's first-level administrative divisions, sitting above local government areas in the two-tier system. These jurisdictions exercise substantial constitutional powers under Australia's federal system, with responsibilities including education, health services, public transport, police forces, and emergency services. Each state maintains its own parliament, court system, and public service to deliver these functions. States also manage land use planning, infrastructure development, and natural resource allocation within their boundaries. While the six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania) possess broader powers than the three internal territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, and Jervis Bay Territory), all nine divisions serve as the primary interface between federal policy and local implementation, administering programs and services that directly affect residents' daily lives.