Territorial evolution of Australia

7 February 1788

The colony of New South Wales is founded. New South Wales, according to Arthur Phillip's amended Commission dated 25 April 1787, includes "all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean" and running westward to the 135th meridian east. This included the islands of New Zealand. When drawing up the territorial boundaries of the colony of New South Wales, established in 1788, the British government set its western boundary at the meridian of 135° East of Greenwich, as it appeared on Melchisédech Thévenot's chart, Hollandia Nova‒‒Terre Australe, published in Relations de Divers Voyages Curieux (Paris, 1663).

1810

Macquarie Island is annexed by New South Wales

16 July 1825

New South Wales' western border is extended to 129° E.

3 December 1825

The colony of Van Diemen's Land is proclaimed.

2 May 1829

Swan River Colony is declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain.

6 February 1832

Swan River Colony has its name changed to Western Australia.

28 December 1836

The colony of South Australia is proclaimed with its western border set at 132° E.

21 May 1840

New Zealand is formally annexed to New South Wales.

16 November 1840

The colony of New Zealand is proclaimed by Letters Patent. Although not represented on a map here, New South Wales was significantly reduced in size by this proclamation. Separation was effected on 3 May 1841.

17 February 1846

The colony of North Australia was proclaimed by Letters Patent on 17 February. This was all of New South Wales north of 26° S.

15 April 1847

The colony of North Australia was revoked and reincorporated into New South Wales.

1 July 1851

The colony of Victoria is proclaimed.

1 January 1856

Van Diemen's Land name is changed to Tasmania.

6 June 1859

The colony of Queensland is proclaimed by Letters Patent, with its western border set at 141° E, and settlement began on 10 December that year.

1860

South Australia border changed from 132° E to 129° E.

1862

Queensland's western border is moved to 139° E.

6 July 1863

That part of New South Wales to the north of South Australia was annexed to South Australia by Letters Patent.

1890

Macquarie Island is transferred from New South Wales to Tasmania.

1 January 1901

The Commonwealth of Australia was formed, uniting the British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Note that the Northern Territory was under South Australian administration at Federation.

1 January 1911

The Federal Capital Territory was created within New South Wales, and the Northern Territory was split off from South Australia.

12 July 1915

The coastal area now known as the Jervis Bay Territory is added to the Federal Capital Territory.

1 March 1927

The Northern Territory was split into the territories of North Australia and Central Australia.

12 June 1931

North Australia and Central Australia were reunited as the Northern Territory.

29 July 1938

The Federal Capital Territory's changed its name to the Australian Capital Territory.

11 May 1989

The Jervis Bay Territory becomes Australia's third mainland territory when the Australian Capital Territory is granted self government.