States and territories of Australia

The states and territories are the sub-national constituent entities and the second level of government of Australia. The states are partially-sovereign administrative divisions that function as self-governing polities, having ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. They have their own constitutions, legislatures, executive governments, judiciaries, law enforcement agencies and emergency services that administer and deliver public policies and programs. Territories can be autonomous and administer policies and programs much like the states in practice, but are still legally subordinate to the federal government.