List of proposed states of Australia

The Constitution of Australia provides for the creation of new states and for a state to subdivide into two or more states. So far, no new states have been added to the Commonwealth since Federation in 1901.

However, a number of proposals for further states have been put forward in the past century.

• New England

The New England region of New South Wales has had a devoted statehood movement since the 1930s. In the 1960s this movement was most active. The movement has historically gained strength when a Labor government, dominated by urban interests, is in power in Sydney.

• North Queensland

The people of northern Queensland, sometimes called "Far North Queensland", have long held different views and seen themselves as distinct from those in the south of the state. Proposals for the separation of north Queensland, including Cape York, have been put from time to time with mixed results. Efforts for statehood in North Queensland would be hampered by the region's small population.

• Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is the most commonly mentioned potential 7th state. In 1998, the voters of the NT rejected a statehood proposal that would have given the Territory three Senators, rather than the 12 Senators held by the other states. The name "Northern Territory" would have been retained. With statehood rejected, it is likely the Northern Territory will remain a territory for the near future, though current Chief Minister Clare Martin and the majority of Territorians are said to be in favour of statehood.

• Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has a small number of statehood supporters, who believe the ACT, with a population only slightly less than that of Tasmania, recieves a disproportionate share of representation. This movement may be likened to supporters of statehood for the District of Columbia in the United States, though it is much smaller and no political figures have taken it up.

• Papua New Guinea

Prior to its independence from Australia in 1975, there was some discussion as to the possibility of making PNG a state. This discussion was short-lived, however.

• New Zealand

A number of Australians, and a smaller number of New Zealanders, have advocated union between the two countries. As ties have grown closer, and proposals put forward for a customs union, currency union and even a joint defence force, some have suggested New Zealand should become a state of the Commonwealth. This is unlikely to occur, as New Zealanders would be reluctant to give up their status as a sovereign nation.