Australian Capital Territory#Creation of the territory

{{main|History of the Australian Capital Territory}}

Indigenous Australians have long inhabited the area.{{Cite book |title=Canberra in two centuries: A pictorial history |last=Fitzgerald |first=Alan |publisher=Clareville Press |year=1987 |isbn=0-909278-02-4 |pages=4–5,12,92–93,115,128}} Evidence indicates habitation dating back at least 25,000 years,{{cite news |last1=Osborne |first1=Tegan |title=New dating shows 25,000 years of history at Birrigai rock shelter in ACT |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-04-04/new-research-shows-human-occupation-in-act-extends-25,000-years/7288132 |access-date=20 August 2019 |agency=ABC News |date=5 May 2016}} and it is possible that the area was inhabited for considerably longer. The principal group occupying the region were the Ngunnawal people, with the Ngarigo and Walgalu living immediately to the south, the Wandadian to the east, the Gandangara to the north and the Wiradjuri to the north-west.{{cite book |last=Gillespie |first=Lyall |title=Aborigines of the Canberra Region |publisher=Wizard (Lyall Gillespie) |location=Canberra |year=1984 |pages=1–25 |isbn=0-9590255-0-2}}

Following European settlement, the growth of the new colony of New South Wales led to an increasing demand for arable land. Governor Lachlan Macquarie supported expeditions to open up new lands to the south of Sydney.{{Cite book |title=Canberra 1820–1913 |last=Gillespie |first=Lyall |publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service |year=1991 |isbn=0-644-08060-4 |pages=3–9,110–111,149,278,303}} The 1820s saw further exploration in the Canberra area associated with the construction of a road from Sydney to the Goulburn plains. While working on the project, Charles Throsby learned of a nearby lake and river from the local Indigenous peoples and he accordingly sent Wild to lead a small party to investigate the site. The search was unsuccessful, but they did discover the Yass River, and it is surmised that they would have set foot on part of the future territory.{{Cite book |title=Old Canberra and the search for a capital |last=Fitzhardinge |first=L. F. |publisher=Canberra & District Historical Society |year=1975 |isbn=0-909655-02-2 |pages=1–3, 31–32}}

A second expedition was mounted shortly thereafter, and they became the first Europeans to camp at the Molonglo (Ngambri) and Queanbeyan (Jullergung) Rivers. However, they failed to find the Murrumbidgee River. The issue of the Murrumbidgee was solved in 1821 when Throsby mounted a third expedition and successfully reached the watercourse, on the way providing the first detailed account of the land that now comprises the territory. The last expedition in the region before settlement was undertaken by Allan Cunningham in 1824. He reported that the region was suitable for grazing and the settlement of the Limestone Plains followed immediately thereafter.{{Cite journal |last=Watson |first=F. |date=1931 |title=Special Article: Canberra Past and Present |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/4e782ee652d0db0aca2569de001fb2dd?OpenDocument |journal=Year Book Australia |access-date=8 April 2019}}

Image:ACT historic buildings map-MJC2.png

The first land grant in the region was made to Joshua John Moore in 1823, and European settlement in the area began in 1824 with the construction of a homestead by his stockmen on what is now the Acton Peninsula. Moore formally purchased the site in 1826 and named the property Canberry or Canberra.

A significant influx of population and economic activity occurred around the 1850s gold rushes.{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/New-South-Wales/Kiandra/2005/02/17/1108500196974.html |title=Kiandra |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 February 2005 |access-date=19 February 2010}} The gold rushes prompted the establishment of communication between Sydney and the region by way of the Cobb & Co coaches, which transported mail and passengers.{{Cite book |title=Canberra: history of Australia's national capital |last=Wigmore |first=Lionel |publisher=Dalton Publishing Company |year=1971 |isbn=0-909906-06-8 |pages=20,113}} The first post offices opened in Ginninderra in 1859 and at Lanyon in 1860.

During colonial times, the European communities of Ginninderra, Molonglo and Tuggeranong settled and farmed the surrounding land. The region was also called the Queanbeyan-Yass district, after the two largest towns in the area. The villages of Ginninderra and Tharwa developed to service the local agrarian communities.

During the first 20 years of settlement, there was only limited contact between the settlers and Aboriginal people. Over the succeeding years, the Ngunnawal and other local indigenous people effectively ceased to exist as cohesive and independent communities adhering to their traditional ways of life. Those who had not succumbed to disease and other predations either dispersed to the local settlements or were relocated to more distant Aboriginal reserves set up by the New South Wales government in the latter part of the 19th century.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

Image:Surveyors camp Canberra.jpg

In 1898, a referendum on a proposed Constitution was held in four of the colonies – New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. Although the referendum achieved a majority in all four colonies, the New South Wales referendum failed to gain the minimum number of votes needed for the bill to pass. Following this result, a meeting of the four Premiers in 1898 heard from George Reid, the Premier of New South Wales, who argued that locating the future capital in New South Wales would be sufficient to ensure the passage of the Bill. The 1899 referendum on this revised bill was successful and passed with sufficient numbers.{{Cite web |url=http://www-etsav.upc.es/personals/iphs2004/pdf/017_p.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www-etsav.upc.es/personals/iphs2004/pdf/017_p.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Contested places for Australia's capital city |last=Birtles |first=Terry G. |date=2004 |website=11th Annual Planning History Conference |access-date=8 April 2019}} Section 125 of the Australian Constitution thus provided that, following Federation in 1901, land would be ceded freely to the new federal government.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

{{Location map many

| New South Wales

| width = 300

| float = right

| caption = Location of each site within New South Wales. The 100-mile (160 km) exclusion zone around Sydney is indicated by a red circle.

| label = Dalgety

| marksize = 8

| label_size = 70

| pos = right

| coordinates = {{coord|36|30|S|148|50|E}}

| label2 = Yass-Canberra

| mark2size = 8

| label2_size = 70

| pos2 = top

| coordinates2 = {{coord|35|17|S|149|07|E}}

| label3 = Tooma

| mark3size = 8

| label3_size = 70

| pos3 = right

| coordinates3 = {{coord|35|58|S|148|04|E}}

| label4 = Lyndhurst

| mark4size = 8

| label4_size = 70

| pos4 = left

| coordinates4 = {{coord|33|40|S|149|02|E}}

| label5 = Armidale

| mark5size = 8

| label5_size = 70

| pos5 = top

| coordinates5 = {{coord|30|30|S|151|39|E}}

| label6 = Tumut

| mark6size = 8

| label6_size = 70

| pos6 = left

| coordinates6 = {{coord|35|18|S|148|13|E}}

| label7 = Bombala

| mark7size = 8

| label7_size = 70

| pos7 = bottom

| coordinates7 = {{coord|36|55|S|149|14|E}}

| label8 = Albury

| mark8size = 8

| label8_size = 70

| pos8 = top

| coordinates8 = {{coord|36|04|S|146|54|E}}

| label9 = Orange

| mark9size = 8

| label9_size = 70

| pos9 = top

| coordinates9 = {{coord|33|17|S|149|06|E}}

| label10 =

| mark10 = Circle and its center.svg

| mark10size = 88

| coordinates10 = {{coord|33|52|S|151|12|E}}

}}

This, however, left open the question of where to locate the capital. In 1906 and after significant deliberations, New South Wales agreed to cede sufficient land on the condition that it was in the Yass-Canberra region, this site being closer to Sydney.{{cite web |url=https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=GEOCAT_DETAILS&catno=47987 |title=A4 Report Map of Australia |date=16 November 2009 |website=Geoscience Australia |access-date=19 February 2010}} Initially, Dalgety, New South Wales remained at the forefront, but Yass-Canberra prevailed after voting by federal representatives. The Seat of Government Act 1908 was passed in 1908, which repealed the 1904 Act and specified a capital in the Yass-Canberra region.{{cite web |url=http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?dID=110 |title=Seat of Government Act 1908 (Cth) |publisher=National Archives of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017025122/http://foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?dID=110 |archive-date=17 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=31 January 2010 |df=dmy-all}} Government surveyor Charles Scrivener was deployed to the region in the same year to map out a specific site and, after an extensive search, settled upon the present location,{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Birtles |first=Terry G. |title=Charles Robert Scrivener (1855–1923) |id2=scrivener-charles-robert-8374 |year=1988 |volume=11 |access-date=2021-03-15}} basing the borders primarily on the need to secure a stable water supply for the planned capital.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-04-11/how-the-act-borders-were-determined/7304358 |title=How were the territory's boundaries determined? |last=Allen |first=Craig |work=ABC News |date=11 April 2016 |access-date=6 October 2022}}

The territory was transferred to the Commonwealth by New South Wales on 1 January 1911, two years before the naming of Canberra as the national capital on 20 March 1913.{{Cite book |last=Fitzgerald, Alan John. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/27587510 |title=Canberra in two centuries : a pictorial history |date=1987 |publisher=Clareville Press in association with the Limestone Plains Partnership |isbn=0-909278-02-4 |location=Torrens, A.C.T. |oclc=27587510}}

The Commonwealth gained control of all land within the borders of the new territory but ownership only of NSW Crown land, with significant parcels of extant freehold remaining in the hands of their pre-existing owners. Much of this was acquired during World War One, though a few titles were not transferred until the late 20th Century.

Land within the territory is granted under a leasehold system, with 99-year residential leases sold to buyers as new suburbs are planned, surveyed, and developed. The current policy is for these leases to be extended for another 99-year period on expiry, subject to payment of an administrative fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.planning.act.gov.au/leasing-and-titles/crown-leases/leasehold |title=Leasehold |website=Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate – Planning |access-date=26 July 2023 |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726001305/https://www.planning.act.gov.au/leasing-and-titles/crown-leases/leasehold |url-status=dead }} In an arrangement inspired by Georgism, the ideas of 19th-century American economist Henry George, leaseholders had to pay 5% of the unimproved value of the underlying land in rent until the Gorton government abolished it in 1970.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-07-04/can-people-own-land-in-the-act/7550166|title=Can people own land in the ACT?|publisher=ABC News|date=4 July 2016|accessdate=9 October 2021|first=Gordon|last=Taylor}}

Image:Naming of city of canberra capital hill 1913.jpg is standing, centre, in dark suit. To his right is the Governor-General, Lord Denman, and to his left, Lady Denman.]]

In 1911, an international competition to design the future capital was held; it was won by the Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912. The official naming of Canberra occurred on 12 March 1913 and construction began immediately.

After Griffin's departure following difficulty in implementing his project,{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=136&Itemid=171 |title=History of the NCA |date=11 June 2009 |website=National Capital Authority |access-date=26 February 2010}} the Federal Capital Advisory Committee was established in 1920 to advise the government of the construction efforts. The committee had limited success meeting its goals. However, the chairman, John Sulman, was instrumental in applying the ideas of the garden city movement to Griffin's plan. The committee was replaced in 1925 by the Federal Capital Commission.

In 1930, the ACT Advisory Council was established to advise the minister for territories on the community's concerns. In 1934, the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory was established.{{Cite web |publisher=ACT Courts |title=ACT Supreme Court: About the Courts |date=16 December 2019 |url=https://courts.act.gov.au/supreme/about-the-courts |access-date=2020-06-18 |website=courts.act.gov.au |language=en}}

From 1938 to 1957, the National Capital Planning and Development Committee continued to plan the further expansion of Canberra. However, it did not have executive power, and decisions were made on the development of Canberra without consulting the committee. During this time, Prime Minister Robert Menzies regarded the state of the national capital as an embarrassment.{{Cite book |title=Canberra 1954–1980 |last=Sparke |first=Eric |publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service |year=1988 |isbn=0-644-08060-4 |pages=30,170–180}}

After World War II, there was a shortage of housing and office space in Canberra.{{Cite book |title=Canberra 1913–1953 |last=Gibbney |first=Jim |publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service |year=1988 |isbn=0-644-08060-4 |pages=231–237}} A Senate Select Committee hearing was held in 1954 to address its development requirements. This Committee recommended the creation of a single planning body with executive power. Consequently, the National Capital Planning and Development Committee was replaced by the National Capital Development Commission in 1957.{{Cite book |title=Canberra's Engineering Heritage |last=Andrews |first=W.C. |publisher=Institution of Engineers Australia |year=1990 |isbn=0-85825-496-4 |pages=90}} The National Capital Development Commission ended four decades of disputes over the shape and design of Lake Burley Griffin and construction was completed in 1964 after four years of work. The completion of the centrepiece of Griffin's design finally laid the platform for the development of Griffin's Parliamentary Triangle.

In 1978, an advisory referendum was held to determine the views of citizens resident in the territory about whether there should be self-government. Just under 64 percent of voters rejected devolved government options, in favour of the status quo.{{cite web |last1=ACT Legislative Assembly |title=Establishing self-government in the ACT |url=https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/Explore-your-Assembly/resources/fact-sheets/self-government |access-date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418023423/https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/Explore-your-Assembly/resources/fact-sheets/self-government |archive-date=18 April 2020 |url-status=dead}} Nevertheless, in 1988, the new federal minister for the territory Gary Punch received a report recommending the abolition of the National Capital Development Commission and the formation of a locally elected government. Punch recommended that the Hawke government accept the report's recommendations and subsequently Clyde Holding introduced legislation to grant self-government to the territory in October 1988.{{Cite book |title=Canberra: yesterday, today & tomorrow: a personal memoir |last=Overall |first=John |publisher=Federal Capital Press of Australia |year=1995 |isbn=0-9593910-6-1 |pages=128–129}}

The enactment on 6 December 1988 of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 established the framework for self-government.{{cite web |url=http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117 |title=Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) |publisher=National Archives of Australia |access-date=21 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050716075342/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117 |archive-date=16 July 2005}} The first election for the 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly was held on 4 March 1989.{{cite web |title=Past ACT Legislative Assembly Elections |publisher=ACT Electoral Commission |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329041523/http://elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2011 |access-date=29 January 2010 }}

The initial years of self-government were difficult and unstable.{{cite web |title=Turbulent 20yrs of self-government |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/11/2566162.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513124128/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/11/2566162.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2009 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=31 January 2010 |date=11 May 2009}} A majority of territory residents had opposed self-government and had it imposed upon them by the federal parliament. At the first election, 4 of the 17 seats were won by anti-self-government single-issue parties due to a protest vote by disgruntled Canberrans and a total of 8 were won by minor parties and independents.

In 1992, Labor won eight seats and the minor parties and independents won only three. Stability increased, and in 1995, Kate Carnell became the first elected Liberal chief minister. In 1998, Carnell became the first chief minister to be re-elected.

File:ACT-Jervis Bay-Sydney-MJC.png

The territory is {{cvt|2358|km2|mi2}} in area, slightly smaller than Luxembourg.

It is bounded by the Bombala railway line in the east, the watershed of Naas Creek in the south, the watershed of the Cotter River in the west and the watershed of the Molonglo River in the north-east. These boundaries were set to give the territory an adequate water supply.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-04-11/how-the-act-borders-were-determined/7304358 |title=How were the ACT's boundaries determined? |date=10 April 2016 |website=www.abc.net.au}} The territory extends about {{cvt|88.5|km|mi}} north-south between 35.124°S and 35.921°S, and {{cvt|57.75|km|mi}} west-east between 148.763°E and 149.399°E.{{NoteTag|Limits plotted on Google Maps:

north: 35.12452°S, 149.12091°E (Gungahlin);

east: 35.31918°S, 149.39928°E (Kings Highway);

south: 35.92076°S, 149.04608°E (near Bumbalong);

west: 35.49551°S, 148.76268°E (Mount Franklin Rd, near Bimberi).}} The city area of Canberra occupies the north-eastern corner of this area.

The territory includes the city of Canberra and some towns such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra Village, Tharwa and Hall. The territory also contains agricultural land (sheep, dairy cattle, vineyards and small amounts of crops) and a large area of national park (Namadgi National Park), much of it mountainous and forested.

File:Swans on molonglo river.jpg, located in the north-east of the region]]

Tidbinbilla is a locality to the south-west of Canberra that features the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, operated by the United States' NASA as part of its Deep Space Network. The Southern Tablelands Temperate Grassland straddles the state.

The territory includes a large range of mountains, rivers and creeks, largely contained within the Namadgi National Park. These include the Naas and Murrumbidgee Rivers.

In September 2022, a proposal was announced to change the border between NSW and the territory, the first change since the territory was created in 1911.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-16 |title='It's happening': NSW-ACT border to change for first time since its creation as territory expands |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-16/border-to-change-to-allow-territory-expansion/101446700 |access-date=2022-09-16}} ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said NSW premier Dominic Perrottet had agreed to a proposed border change of {{cvt|330|ha|sqmi}} in the Ginninderra watershed.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-16 |title=NSW and ACT in talks over biggest border shake-up in living memory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/16/nsw-and-act-in-talks-over-biggest-border-shake-up-in-living-memory |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

File:Autumn in Canberra.jpg in Canberra]]

The territory has a relatively dry, continental climate, experiencing warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters.{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/canberra/climate.shtml |title=Climate of Canberra Area |date=12 July 2009 |website=Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712100903/http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/canberra/climate.shtml |archive-date=2009-07-12 |access-date=2019-03-30}} Under the Köppen-Geiger classification, the territory has an oceanic climate (Cfb).{{cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/oceania/australia/australian-capital-territory-905/ |title=Climate: Australian Capital Territory |website=en.climate-data.org |access-date=2019-03-30}}

January is the hottest month with an average high of 27.7 °C. July is the coldest month when the average high drops to {{cvt|11.2|C|F}}. The highest maximum temperature recorded in the territory was 44.0 °C on 4 January 2020. The lowest minimum temperature was −10.0 °C on 11 July 1971.

Rainfall varies significantly across the territory. Much higher rainfall occurs in the mountains to the west of Canberra compared to the east. The mountains act as a barrier during winter with the city receiving less rainfall. Average annual rainfall in the territory is 629mm and there is an average of 108 rain days annually. The wettest month is October, with an average rainfall of 65.3mm, and the driest month is June, with an average of 39.6mm.

Frost is common in the winter months. Snow is rare in Canberra's city centre, but the surrounding areas get annual snowfall through winter and often the snow-capped mountains can be seen from the city. The last significant snowfall in the city centre was in 1968.

Smoke haze became synonymous with the 2019/2020 Australian summer. On 1 January 2020 Canberra had the worst air quality of any major city in the world, with an AQI of 7700 (USAQI 949).{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/03/canberra-chokes-on-worlds-worst-air-quality-as-city-all-but-shut-down |title=Canberra chokes on world's worst air quality as city all but shut down |website=TheGuardian.com |date=3 January 2020 |access-date=5 January 2020}}

{{Weather box

|location=Canberra Airport, ACT (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1939–present)

|metric first=Yes

|single line=Yes

|Jan record high C=44.0

|Feb record high C=42.2

|Mar record high C=37.5

|Apr record high C=32.6

|May record high C=24.5

|Jun record high C=20.1

|Jul record high C=19.7

|Aug record high C=24.0

|Sep record high C=30.2

|Oct record high C=32.7

|Nov record high C=39.9

|Dec record high C=41.6

|year record high C=44.0

|Jan high C=28.7

|Feb high C=27.7

|Mar high C=24.8

|Apr high C=20.5

|May high C=16.3

|Jun high C=12.5

|Jul high C=11.8

|Aug high C=13.5

|Sep high C=16.6

|Oct high C=19.9

|Nov high C=23.3

|Dec high C=26.3

|year high C=20.2

|Jan mean C=21.2

|Feb mean C=20.7

|Mar mean C=17.9

|Apr mean C=13.8

|May mean C=10.0

|Jun mean C=6.9

|Jul mean C=6.0

|Aug mean C=7.4

|Sep mean C=10.2

|Oct mean C=13.2

|Nov mean C=16.4

|Dec mean C=19.1

|year mean C=13.6

|Jan low C=13.7

|Feb low C=13.6

|Mar low C=10.9

|Apr low C=7.1

|May low C=3.7

|Jun low C=1.3

|Jul low C=0.2

|Aug low C=1.3

|Sep low C=3.8

|Oct low C=6.4

|Nov low C=9.5

|Dec low C=11.9

|year low C=7.0

|Jan record low C=1.6

|Feb record low C=2.8

|Mar record low C=-1.1

|Apr record low C=-3.7

|May record low C=-7.5

|Jun record low C=-8.5

|Jul record low C=-10.0

|Aug record low C=-8.5

|Sep record low C=-6.8

|Oct record low C=-3.4

|Nov record low C=-1.8

|Dec record low C=0.3

|year record low C=-10.0

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation mm=58.5

|Feb precipitation mm=56.4

|Mar precipitation mm=50.7

|Apr precipitation mm=46.0

|May precipitation mm=44.4

|Jun precipitation mm=40.4

|Jul precipitation mm=41.4

|Aug precipitation mm=46.2

|Sep precipitation mm=52.0

|Oct precipitation mm=62.4

|Nov precipitation mm=64.4

|Dec precipitation mm=53.2

|year precipitation mm=615.2

|Jan precipitation days=7.3

|Feb precipitation days=6.7

|Mar precipitation days=6.9

|Apr precipitation days=7.3

|May precipitation days=8.4

|Jun precipitation days=9.8

|Jul precipitation days=10.5

|Aug precipitation days=11.1

|Sep precipitation days=10.2

|Oct precipitation days=10.4

|Nov precipitation days=9.8

|Dec precipitation days=7.7

|year precipitation days=106.1

|Jan sun=294.5

|Feb sun=254.3

|Mar sun=251.1

|Apr sun=219.0

|May sun=186.0

|Jun sun=156.0

|Jul sun=179.8

|Aug sun=217.0

|Sep sun=231.0

|Oct sun=266.6

|Nov sun=267.0

|Dec sun=291.4

|year sun=2813.7

|source 1 = Climate averages for Canberra Airport Comparison (1939–2010){{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_070014_All.shtml |title=Climate statistics for Australian locations: Canberra Airport Comparison |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=3 September 2011}}

source 2 = Special climate statements and climate summaries for more recent extremes

• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_070351_All.shtml |title=Climate statistics for Australian locations: Canberra Airport |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=5 January 2020}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs36b.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs36b.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Special climate statement 36 – Unseasonal cold in southeast Australia |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=13 January 2012 |access-date=4 September 2014}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/act/archive/201209.summary.shtml |title=ACT in September 2012 |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=2 October 2012 |access-date=4 September 2014}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/act/archive/201212.summary.shtml |title=ACT in December 2012 |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=2 January 2013 |access-date=4 September 2014}}
• {{cite web |title=Special Climate Statement 43 – extreme heat in January 2013 |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs43e.pdf |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=2 February 2013 |date=1 February 2013}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/act/archive/201310.summary.shtml |title=ACT in October 2013 |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=1 November 2013 |access-date=4 September 2014}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=&p_c=&p_stn_num=070351 |title=Daily maximum temperature Canberra Airport |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=5 January 2020 |access-date=5 January 2020}}

}}

{{main|Geology of the Australian Capital Territory}}

Notable geological formations in the territory include the Canberra Formation, the Pittman Formation, Black Mountain Sandstone and State Circle Shale.

In the 1840s fossils of brachiopods and trilobites from the Silurian period were discovered at Woolshed Creek near Duntroon. At the time, these were the oldest fossils discovered in Australia, though this record has now been far surpassed.{{citation |title=Entry to the ACT Heritage Register – 20010. Woolshed Creek Fossil Site |url=http://www.environment.act.gov.au/Files/heritageregister20010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051022162853/http://www.environment.act.gov.au/Files/heritageregister20010.pdf |publisher=ACT Heritage Council |archive-date=22 October 2005}} Other specific geological places of interest include the State Circle cutting and the Deakin anticline.{{cite AHD|105733|State Circle Cutting}}{{citation |title=National Trust of Australia – Deakin Anticline |url=http://www.act.nationaltrust.org.au/places/deak-anti.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706073745/http://www.act.nationaltrust.org.au/places/deak-anti.html |archive-date=6 July 2004}}

The oldest rocks in the territory date from the Ordovician around 480 million years ago. During this period the region along with most of Eastern Australia was part of the ocean floor; formations from this period include the Black Mountain Sandstone formation and the Pittman Formation consisting largely of quartz-rich sandstone, siltstone and shale. These formations became exposed when the ocean floor was raised by a major volcanic activity in the Devonian forming much of the east coast of Australia.

{{main|Fauna of the Australian Capital Territory|Flora of the Australian Capital Territory}}

The environments range from alpine area on the higher mountains, to sclerophyll forest and to woodland. Much of the territory has been cleared for grazing and is also burnt off by bushfires several times per century. The kinds of plants can be grouped into vascular plants, that include gymnosperms, flowering plants, and ferns, as well as bryophytes, lichens, fungi and freshwater algae. Four flowering plants are endemic to the territory. Several lichens are unique to the territory. Most plants in the territory are characteristic of the Flora of Australia and include well known plants such as Grevillea, Eucalyptus trees and kangaroo grass.

The native forest in the territory was almost wholly eucalypt species and provided a resource for fuel and domestic purposes. By the early 1960s, logging had depleted the eucalypt, and concern about water quality led to the forests being closed. Interest in forestry began in 1915 with trials of a number of species including Pinus radiata on the slopes of Mount Stromlo. Since then, plantations have been expanded, with the benefit of reducing erosion in the Cotter catchment, and the forests are also popular recreation areas.{{Cite book |url=http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/113939/McLeodInquiry.pdf |title=Inquiry into the Operational Response to the January 2003 Bushfires in the ACT |last=McLeod |first=Ron |year=2003 |isbn=0-642-60216-6 |location=Canberra, ACT |publisher=ACT Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514031921/http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/113939/McLeodInquiry.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

Fauna in the territory includes representatives from most major Australian animal groups. This includes kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus, echidna, emu, kookaburras and dragon lizards.

File:Canberra.jpg, in the northeast of the ACT, is an entirely planned city.]]

File:Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly and the statue Ethos.jpg

{{See also|Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|Electoral systems of the Australian states and territories|Government of the Australian Capital Territory}}

Unlike the states of Australia which have their own constitutions, territories are governed under a Commonwealth statuteConstitution of Australia s 122.{{mdash}}for the ACT, the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988.{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00802 |title=Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) |website=Federal Register of Legislation |date=July 2016 |access-date=14 June 2019}} The Self-Government Act constitutes a democratic government for the territory consisting of a popularly elected Legislative Assembly which elects a Chief Minister from among its membership who, in turn, appoints an Executive consisting of a number of Ministers.

The executive power of the territory rests with the ACT government, headed by the Chief Minister (currently the Labor Party's Andrew Barr) and consists of ministers appointed by them. The ministers are supported by the ACT Public Service, which is arranged into directorates, and a number of public authorities.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.directory.act.gov.au/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Functions and Services Directory |publisher=ACT Government}} The Chief Minister is the equivalent of a State Premier and sits on the National Cabinet.{{citation |title=National Cabinet Members |url=https://federation.gov.au/national-cabinet/members |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia}} Unlike the states, there is no vice-regal representative who chairs the executive government council. The Chief Minister performs many of the roles that a state governor normally holds in the context of a state; however, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly gazettes the laws and summons meetings of the Assembly.

The ACT Labor party has been in power since 2001.

The legislative power of the territory is vested in the unicameral Legislative Assembly. The assembly has 25 members, elected from five electorates using the Hare-Clark single transferable voting system.{{citation |title=Factsheet – Hare-Clark electoral system |date=5 July 2012 |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/publications/act_electoral_commission_fact_sheets/elections_act_factsheet_hare-clark_electoral_system |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606055358/http://www.elections.act.gov.au/publications/act_electoral_commission_fact_sheets/elections_act_factsheet_hare-clark_electoral_system |publisher=ACT Electoral Commission |archive-date=6 June 2013}} The assembly is presided over by the Speaker (currently the Labor Party's Joy Burch). The assembly has almost all of the same powers as the state parliaments, the power to "make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Territory", with limited exceptions relating to the territory's unique relationship with the commonwealth.Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) ss 22 and 23. The Hare-Clark voting system was adopted after a referendum in 1992 and was entrenched by another referendum in 1995.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016 |title=Fact sheet – Referendums |url=https://www.elections.act.gov.au/education/act_electoral_commission_fact_sheets/fact_sheets_-_general_html/elections_act_factsheet_referendums |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=ACT Electoral Commission |language=en |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126145106/https://www.elections.act.gov.au/education/act_electoral_commission_fact_sheets/fact_sheets_-_general_html/elections_act_factsheet_referendums |url-status=dead }} The electoral system cannot be changed except by a two-thirds majority in the Assembly or a majority vote of support at a public referendum.[https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/a/1995-1/current/html/1995-1.html Proportional Representation (Hare-Clark) Entrenchment Act 1994 (ACT)] s 5

There is no level of local government below the territory government as in the states and the functions associated with local government are carried out principally by the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate.{{citation |title=Three Levels of Law-Making |url=http://www.peo.gov.au/students/fact_sheets/three_levels_law-making.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516042422/http://www.peo.gov.au/students/fact_sheets/three_levels_law-making.html |publisher=Parliamentary Education Office |archive-date=16 May 2013}} There is an indigenous voice to the ACT government, called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://atsieb.com.au/about-us/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Elected Body |language=en-AU}}

Despite the wide powers of the territory government, the federal government continues to have power over the territory. This includes an unused power to dissolve the assembly and appoint a caretaker government in extraordinary circumstances.Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) s 16 The federal and territory governments share some officers, such as the Ombudsman.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-07-10 |title=Who we are |url=https://www.ombudsman.act.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=ACT Ombudsman |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127023608/https://www.ombudsman.act.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are |url-status=dead }} The federal parliament also retains the power to make any law for the territory under section 122 of the Constitution and an exclusive power to legislate for the "seat of government".Constitution of Australia s 52(i). Territory laws which conflict with federal law are inoperable to the extent of the inconsistency.Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) s 28Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory (2013) 250 CLR 441; [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/2013/55.html [2013] HCA 55] (High Court of Australia) Land in the territory that is designated to be "National Land" under federal law remains under the control of the federal government, usually represented by the National Capital Authority.[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Latest/C2018C00316 Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988] (Cth) s 27 The federal parliament can disallow laws enacted by the Assembly by a joint resolution of both houses of Parliament, a power which replaced a federal executive veto in 2011.[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2011A00166 Territories Self-Government Legislation Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment of Laws) Act 2011 (Cth)]{{cite web |title=Disallowance powers removed from ACT self-government legislation |url=http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/index.asp?ID=7487 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523073454/http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/index.asp?ID=7487 |archive-date=23 May 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012 |work=News, Events and Conferences |publisher=ACT Legislative Assembly}}

{{See also|Crime in the Australian Capital Territory}}

File:New Law Courts of the Australian Capital Territory.jpg

The judicial power of the territory is exercised by the territory courts. These are the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory (with summary jurisdiction) and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. From 2001, appeals from the Supreme Court are heard by a panel of Supreme Court judges sitting as the Court of Appeal.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-12-13 |title=Court of Appeal |url=https://courts.act.gov.au/supreme/about-the-courts/court-of-appeal |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=ACT Supreme Court |language=en}} The current Chief Justice is Lucy McCallum and the current Chief Magistrate is Lorraine Walker.

The Federal Court has concurrent jurisdiction over civil matters arising under territory law, a fact which has become increasingly important to the practice of defamation law across Australia.[https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/a/1993-60/current/html/1993-60.html Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993 (ACT)] s 4Crosby v Kelly 203 FCR 451; [http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2012/96.html [2012] FCAFC 96] (Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia).{{Cite web |last=Schrapel |first=Sanjay |date=2020-09-02 |title=A 'non-colourable assertion' – litigating "pure" defamation claims in the Federal Court |url=https://commbarmatters.com.au/2020/09/02/a-non-colourable-assertion-litigating-pure-defamation-claims-in-the-federal-court/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=CommBar Matters |publisher=Commercial Bar Association of Victoria |language=en-AU |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126145110/https://commbarmatters.com.au/2020/09/02/a-non-colourable-assertion-litigating-pure-defamation-claims-in-the-federal-court/ |url-status=dead }}

Policing services are provided by the ACT Policing unit of the Australian Federal Police under agreements between the territory government, the federal government, and the police force.[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Latest/C2021C00480 Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (Cth)] s 8(1A){{Cite book |last1=ACT Government |url=https://www.justice.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2072168/Arrangement_FINAL_Signed_reduced.pdf |title=An ongoing arrangement between the Minister for Justice of the Commonwealth and the ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services for the provision of policing services to the ACT |last2=Australian Government |year=2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017231154/https://www.justice.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2072168/Arrangement_FINAL_Signed_reduced.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-17 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last1=ACT Government |url=https://www.justice.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/2112600/2022-2026-Purchase-Agreement-Signed.PDF |title=Agreement between the ACT Government and the Australian Federal Police for the provision of policing services to the Australian Capital Territory, 2022–2026 |last2=Australian Federal Police |publisher=ACT Government |year=2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130919/https://www.justice.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/2112600/2022-2026-Purchase-Agreement-Signed.PDF |archive-date=2023-01-21}} Canberra had the lowest rate of crime of any capital city in Australia {{as of|lc=yes|February 2019}}.{{cite web |url=https://police.act.gov.au/crime |title=Crime |website=Australian Federal Police. ACT Policing |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228133000/https://police.act.gov.au/crime |url-status=dead }}

File:AFP-ACT VW.jpg

In the Australian federal parliament, the territory is represented by three members of the House of Representatives, for the Division of Bean, the Division of Canberra and the Division of Fenner and two Senators. The member for Bean also represents voters of Norfolk Island while the member for Fenner also represent voters of the Jervis Bay Territory. Senators representing the ACT also represent voters of Norfolk Island and the Jervis Bay Territory.

{{main|Jervis Bay Territory}}

{{Relevance?|date=December 2024}}

Jervis Bay Territory, created in 1915, is a separate territory but, by the Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 it is subject to ACT law.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wlKXCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA65 |title=The Continuity of Legal Systems in Theory and Practice |author=Benjamin Spagnolo |date=22 October 2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-84946-884-8 |page=65}} ACT magistrates conduct court in Jervis Bay Territory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/courts/jervis_bay_court |title=Jervis Bay Court |date=9 October 2016 |website=www.courts.act.gov.au |language=en |access-date=2019-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321014818/https://courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/courts/jervis_bay_court |archive-date=21 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Demographics of Canberra}}

File:Australian Capital Territory population pyramid in 2021.svg

File:ABS-3101.0-AustralianDemographicStatistics-EstimatedResidentPopulationStatesTerritories-EstimatedResidentPopulation-Persons-AustralianCapitalTerritory-A2060850F.svg

File:ACT Canberra density.jpg

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that the population of the territory was 453,324 on 31 December 2021, with an annual growth in 2021 of 0.4%. A 2019 projection estimated the population would reach to approximately 700,000 by 2058.{{Cite web |url=https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1305581/ACT-Population-Projections-Paper-FINAL.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1305581/ACT-Population-Projections-Paper-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=ACT Population Projections: 2018 to 2058 |date=January 2019 |website=ACT Government |access-date=2019-04-02}}{{cite web |title=Latest ACT Population Projections |url=https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/demography/act |website=ACT Treasury |publisher=ACT Government |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627085150/https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/demography/act |url-status=dead}}

The overwhelming majority of the population reside in the city of Canberra.

At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the median weekly income for people in the territory aged over 15 was $998 while the national average was $662.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=8|name=Australian Capital Territory |access-date=27 June 2017|quick=on}}50px This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Attribution International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016050101/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |date=16 October 2017 }} license.

The average level of degree qualification in the territory is higher than the national average. Within the territory, 37.1% of the population hold a bachelor's degree level or above education compared to the national figure of 20%.

{{Historical populations

| 1950 | 19921

| 1955 | 31393

| 1960 | 51208

| 1965 | 84411

| 1970 | 137300

| 1979 | 218995

| 1980 | 222885

| 1985 | 251649

| 1990 | 282263

| 1995 | 305308

| 2000 | 343655

| 2005 | 366339

| 2010 | 397692

| 2011 | 404973

| 2012 | 410821

| 2013 | 416737

| 2014 | 422747

| 2015 | 428843

| 2016 | 435036

| 2017 | 441318

| 2018 | 447692

| 2019 | 452497

| 2020 | 457330

| 2021 | 462213

}}

{{Main|Canberra|Suburbs of Canberra}}

File:BikepathCanberra.jpg

File:Inner-canberra 01MJC.png.]] Major settlements include the city of Canberra and the towns of Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa and Hall.

The urban areas of the territory are organised into a hierarchy of districts, town centres, group centres, local suburbs as well as other industrial areas and villages. There are seven districts (with an eighth currently under construction), each of which is divided into smaller suburbs, and most of which have a town centre which is the focus of commercial and social activities. The districts were settled in the following chronological order:

• North Canberra: mostly settled in the 1920s and '30s, with expansion up to the 1960s, now 14 suburbs;
• South Canberra: settled from the 1920s to '60s, 13 suburbs;
• Woden Valley: first settled in 1963, 12 suburbs;
• Belconnen: first settled in 1967, 25 suburbs;
• Weston Creek: settled in 1969, 8 suburbs;
• Tuggeranong: settled in 1974, 19 suburbs;
• Gungahlin: settled in the early 1990s, 18 suburbs although only 15 are developed or under development;
• Molonglo Valley: first suburbs currently under construction.

The North and South Canberra districts are substantially based on Walter Burley Griffin's designs.{{sfn|Wigmore|1971|p=64}} In 1967, the then National Capital Development Commission adopted the "Y Plan" which laid out future urban development in the territory a series of central shopping and commercial area known as the 'town centres' linked by freeways, the layout of which roughly resembled the shape of the letter Y,{{sfn|Sparke|1988|pp=154–155}} with Tuggeranong at the base of the Y and Belconnen and Gungahlin located at the ends of the arms of the Y.{{sfn|Sparke|1988|pp=154–155}}

At the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the most commonly nominated ancestries were:{{NoteTag|As a percentage of all people in that area, including those who did not state an ancestry.}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=13em|

• English (32.0%)
• Australian (31.5%){{NoteTag|The Australian Bureau of Statistics has stated that most who nominate "Australian" as their ancestry are part of the Anglo-Celtic group.{{cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/49f609c83cf34d69ca2569de0025c182!OpenDocument |title=1301.0 – Year Book Australia, 1995 – Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Australia |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |website=www.abs.gov.au |date=January 1995}}}}
• Irish (11.6%)
• Scottish (10.0%)
• Chinese (5.7%)
• Indian (4.5%)
• German (4.2%)
• Italian (3.3%)
• Indigenous (1.9%){{NoteTag|Includes those identifying as having Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islanders ancestry. Indigenous identification is separate to the ancestry question on the Australian Census and persons identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander may identify any ancestry.}}
• Dutch (1.7%)
• Filipino (1.6%)
• Nepalese (1.3%)
• Vietnamese (1.3%)
• Croatian (1.2%)
• Greek (1.2%)
• Polish (1.1%)

}}

The {{CensusAU|2021}} showed that 32.5% of territory inhabitants were born overseas. Of inhabitants born outside of Australia, the most prevalent countries of birth were India, England, China, Nepal and New Zealand.

2.0% of the population, or 8,949 people, identified as Indigenous Australians (Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders) in 2021.{{NoteTag|Of any ancestry. Includes those identifying as Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islanders. Indigenous identification is separate to the ancestry question on the Australian Census and persons identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander may identify any ancestry.}}

At the {{CensusAU|2021}}, 71.3% of people spoke only English at home. The other languages most commonly spoken at home were Mandarin (3.2%), Nepali (1.3%), Vietnamese (1.1%), Punjabi (1.1%), Hindi (1.0%).{{cite web |title=Australian Capital Territory, 2021 Census All persons QuickStats |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/8 |website=www.abs.gov.au |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=11 October 2022}}

The most common responses in the {{CensusAU|2021}} for religion in the territory were No Religion (43.5%), Catholic (19.3%), Anglican (8.2%), Not stated (5.2%) and Hinduism (4.5%).

{{main|Education in the Australian Capital Territory}}

File:John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra.jpg]]

Almost all educational institutions in the territory are located within Canberra. The territory government ("public" sector) school system is mostly divided into Pre-School, Primary School (K-6), High School (7–10) and College (11–12). Many private sector high schools include years 11 and 12 and are referred to as colleges. Children are required to attend school until they turn 17 under the territory government's "Learn or Earn" policy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/113726/Flyer_-_Learn_or_Earn.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410020511/http://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/113726/Flyer_-_Learn_or_Earn.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Dept of Education & Training. 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2011}}

In February 2004 there were 140 public and non-governmental schools in the territory; 96 operated by the government and 44 independently.Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2005. [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/849f25e83fc56ff2ca257079007b87c6!OpenDocument Schools in the ACT] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In 2005, there were 60,275 students in the territory school system. 59.3% of the students were enrolled in government schools with the remaining 40.7% in non-government schools. There were 30,995 students in primary school, 19,211 in high school, 9,429 in college and a further 340 in special schools.ACT Department of Education and Training. 2005. [http://www.decs.act.gov.au/publicat/pdf/ACT_Gov_NonGov_Enrol_1995_2005.pdf Enrolments in ACT Schools 1995 to 2005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217221907/http://www.decs.act.gov.au/publicat/pdf/ACT_Gov_NonGov_Enrol_1995_2005.pdf |date=17 February 2006 }}

As of May 2004, 30% of people in the territory aged 15–64 had a level of educational attainment equal to at least a bachelor's degree, significantly higher than the national average of 19%.Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2005. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/71bcf1841bfa37f9ca256f84007c28f5!OpenDocument Education in the ACT] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The two main tertiary institutions are the Australian National University (ANU) in Acton and the University of Canberra (UC) in Bruce. There are also two religious university campuses in Canberra: Signadou is a campus of the Australian Catholic University and St Mark's Theological College is a campus of Charles Sturt University. Tertiary level vocational education is also available through the multi-campus Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC) are in the suburb of Campbell in Canberra's inner northeast. ADFA teaches military undergraduates and postgraduates and is officially a campus of the University of New South Wales while Duntroon provides Australian Army Officer training.

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) offers courses in computer game development and 3D animation.

{{main|Sport in the Australian Capital Territory}}

The territory is home to a number of major professional sports league franchise teams including the ACT Brumbies (Rugby Union), Canberra United (Soccer), Canberra Raiders (Rugby League), Canberra Capitals (Basketball) and the Canberra Chill{{cite web | url=https://hockeyone.com.au/teams/canberra-chill/women/ | title=Overview | Hockey One | date=12 July 2019 }}{{cite web | url=https://hockeyone.com.au/teams/canberra-chill/men/ | title=Overview | Hockey One | date=12 July 2019 }} (Field Hockey).

Big Bash League matches and other international cricket matches are held at the Manuka Oval. The ACT Comets (also known as the Canberra Comets) are a cricket team in the territory. The Comets are the premier team of Cricket ACT which is affiliated with Cricket Australia.

The Prime Minister's XI (Cricket), started by Robert Menzies in the 1950s and revived by Bob Hawke in 1984, has been played every year at Manuka Oval against an overseas touring team.

The Greater Western Sydney Giants (Football) play three regular season matches a year and one pre-season match in Canberra at Manuka Oval.

{{See also|Music of Canberra}}

File:NatMusAus_Main_Entrance_Strip.jpg established in 2001 records Australia's social history and is one of the territory's more architecturally daring buildings.]]

File:War_memorial_01.jpg]]

The territory is home to many national monuments and institutions such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library,{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/enjoythelake/map.asp |title=Lake Burley Griffin Interactive Map |publisher=National Capital Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522024956/http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/enjoythelake/map.asp |archive-date=22 May 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 June 2009}} the National Archives,{{cite web |url=http://www.naa.gov.au/info/opening-hours/index.aspx |title=Locations and opening hours |publisher=National Archives of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006072421/http://naa.gov.au/about-us/organisation/locations/index.aspx |archive-date=6 October 2012 |access-date=23 April 2010}} the Australian Academy of Science,{{cite web |url=http://www.science.org.au/dome/ |title=The Shine Dome |publisher=Australian Academy of Science |access-date=23 April 2010}} the National Film and Sound Archive and the National Museum. Many Commonwealth government buildings in the territory are open to the public, including Parliament House, the High Court and the Royal Australian Mint.{{cite web |url=http://www.highcourt.gov.au/about_05.html |title=Visiting the High Court |publisher=High Court of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017212110/http://www.highcourt.gov.au/about_05.html |archive-date=17 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2010 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/visitors/index.htm |title=Visitors |publisher=Parliament of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217052026/http://aph.gov.au/visitors/index.htm |archive-date=17 February 2012 |access-date=23 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ramint.gov.au/visit/ |title=Opening hours |publisher=Royal Australian Mint |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518155139/http://www.ramint.gov.au/visit/ |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=17 September 2013}}

Lake Burley Griffin is the site of the Captain James Cook Memorial and the National Carillon. Other sites of interest include the Telstra Tower, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the National Zoo and Aquarium, the National Dinosaur Museum and Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre.{{cite web |url=http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Things%20to%20do%20and%20see/Outdoor%20and%20nature.aspx?currPage=2&category=&l |title=Outdoor and Nature |publisher=Visit Canberra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231124810/http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Things%20to%20do%20and%20see/Outdoor%20and%20nature.aspx?currPage=2&category=&l |archive-date=31 December 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2010}}

File:NLA_Canberra-01JAC.JPG.{{cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|ca1968133|Copyright Act 1968|201}}]]

The Canberra Museum and Gallery in the city is a repository of local history and art, housing a permanent collection and visiting exhibitions.{{Cite web |title=Canberra Museum and Gallery |url=http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/cmag/index.html |publisher=ACT Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511045428/http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/cmag/index.html |archive-date=11 May 2013}} Several historic homes are open to the public: Lanyon and Tuggeranong Homesteads in the Tuggeranong Valley,{{cite web |url=http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/lanyon/index.html |title=Lanyon |publisher=ACT Museums and Galleries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030015221/http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/lanyon/index.html |archive-date=30 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 May 2010 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.events.act.gov.au/?/event/view/225 |title=Minders of Tuggeranong Homestead |publisher=Chief Minister's Department |access-date=13 May 2010 |archive-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507105023/http://www.events.act.gov.au/?%2Fevent%2Fview%2F225 |url-status=dead}} Mugga-Mugga in Symonston,{{cite web |url=http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/mugga/index.html |title=Mugga-Mugga |publisher=ACT Museums and Galleries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030015314/https://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/mugga/index.html |archive-date=30 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 May 2010 |df=dmy}} and Blundells' Cottage in Parkes all display the lifestyle of the early European settlers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234:blundells-cottage&catid=57:ql-menu-visiting&Itemid=197 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501223848/http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234%3Ablundells-cottage&catid=57%3Aql-menu-visiting&Itemid=197 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |title=Blundells Cottage |publisher=National Capital Authority |access-date=13 May 2010 |url-status=dead}} Calthorpes' House in Red Hill is a well-preserved example of a 1920s house from Canberra's very early days.{{cite web |url=http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/calthorpes/index.html |title=Calthorpes' House |publisher=ACT Museums and Galleries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025175222/http://www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/calthorpes/index.html |archive-date=25 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 May 2010 |df=dmy-all}}

The territory has many venues for live music and theatre: the Canberra Theatre and Playhouse which hosts many major concerts and productions;{{cite book |title=The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia: Opera, Dance, Music |last1=Atkinson |first1=Ann |last2=Knight |first2=Linsay |last3=McPhee |first3=Margaret |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=1996 |isbn=1-86448-005-X |pages=46–47}} and Llewellyn Hall (within the ANU School of Music), a world-class concert hall are two of the most notable.{{cite book |title=Rough Guide to Australia |last=Daly |first=Margo |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2003 |isbn=1-84353-090-2 |page=67}} The Albert Hall was Canberra's first performing arts venue, opened in 1928. It was the original performance venue for theatre groups such as the Canberra Repertory Society.{{cite web |url=http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs250.aspx |title=Fact sheets |publisher=National Archives of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809131626/http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs250.aspx |archive-date=9 August 2011 |access-date=17 September 2013}}

There are numerous bars and nightclubs which also offer live entertainment, particularly concentrated in the areas of Dickson, Kingston and the city.{{sfn|Vaisutis|2009|pp=283–285}} Most town centres have facilities for a community theatre and a cinema, and all have a library.{{sfn|Universal Publishers|2007|pp=10–12}} Popular cultural events include the National Folk Festival, the Royal Canberra Show, the Summernats car festival, Enlighten festival and the National Multicultural Festival in February.{{sfn|Vaisutis|2009|pp=278}}

The territory has a daily newspaper, The Canberra Times, which was established in 1926.{{sfn|Wigmore|1971|p=87}}{{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/history-of-a-paper-anniversary-20130302-2fd76.html |title=History of a paper anniversary |last=Waterford |first=Jack |date=3 March 2013 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917072242/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/history-of-a-paper-anniversary-20130302-2fd76.html |archive-date=17 September 2013 |publisher=Fairfax Media|author-link=Jack Waterford}} There are also several free weekly publications, including news magazines City News and Canberra Weekly.

Major Australian metropolitan newspapers such as the Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, The Age and Herald Sun from Melbourne as well as national publications The Australian and the Australian Financial Review are also available.

There are a number of AM and FM stations broadcasting throughout the territory (AM/FM Listing). The main commercial operators are the Capital Radio Network (2CA and 2CC), and Southern Cross Austereo/ARN Media (Hit 104.7 and Mix 106.3). There are also several community operated stations as well as the local and national stations of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

A DAB+ digital radio trial is also in operation, it simulcasts some of the AM/FM stations, and also provides several digital only stations (DAB+ Trial Listing).

Five free-to-air television stations service the territory:

• ABC Canberra (ABC)
• SBS New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (SBS)
• WIN Television Southern NSW & ACT (WIN) – Nine Network affiliate
• Prime7 Southern NSW & ACT (CBN) – A Seven Network owned & operated station, Seven Network affiliate
• Southern Cross 10 Southern NSW & ACT (CTC) – Network 10 affiliate

Each station broadcasts a primary channel and several multichannels.

Pay television services are available from Foxtel (via satellite) and telecommunications company TransACT (via cable).{{cite web |url=http://kids.actewagl.com.au/Education/Communications/Television/Subscription/ |title=Subscription television |date=11 June 2009 |publisher=TransACT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928022041/http://kids.actewagl.com.au/Education/Communications/Television/Subscription/ |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 September 2013}}

File:Canberra_Hospital.jpg.]]

The territory has two large public hospitals both located in Canberra: the approximately 600-bed Canberra Hospital in Garran and the 174-bed Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce. Both are teaching institutions.{{cite web |url=http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10134232&pid=1147829186 |title=Hospitals |publisher=ACT Health |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326232807/http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10134232&pid=1147829186 |archive-date=26 March 2011 |access-date=23 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10209377 |title=Canberra Hospital |publisher=ACT Health |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716143522/http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10209377 |archive-date=16 July 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2010 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.calvary-act.com.au/contact.html |title=Contact Us & Location Map |publisher=Calvary Health Care ACT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323231918/http://www.calvary-act.com.au/contact.html |archive-date=23 March 2010 |access-date=23 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.calvary-act.com.au/public.html |title=Public Hospital |publisher=Calvary Health Care ACT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718171953/http://www.calvary-act.com.au/public.html |archive-date=18 July 2008 |access-date=23 April 2010}} The largest private hospital is the Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin.{{cite web |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/chemo-crisis-to-hit-act-patients/1241514.aspx |title=Chemo crisis to hit ACT patients |last=Cronin |first=Fiona |date=12 August 2008 |work=The Canberra Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113075559/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/chemo-crisis-to-hit-act-patients/1241514.aspx |archive-date=13 November 2011 |access-date=23 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.calvaryjohnjames.com.au/ |title=Welcome to Calvary John James Hospital |publisher=Calvary John James Hospital |access-date=23 April 2010}} Calvary Private Hospital in Bruce and Healthscope's National Capital Private Hospital in Garran are also major healthcare providers.

The territory has 10 aged care facilities. Territory hospitals receive emergency cases from throughout southern New South Wales,{{cite web |url=http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10063975&pid=1082945856 |title=About Emergency |publisher=ACT Government Health Information |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011135135/http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10063975&pid=1082945856 |archive-date=11 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2010 |df=dmy-all}} and ACT Ambulance Service is one of four operational agencies of the ACT Emergency Services Authority.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_esa/about_us/about_us_home_page/about_us.html |title=About Us |publisher=ACT Emergency Services Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822171255/http://www.esa.act.gov.au/ESAWebsite/content_esa/about_us/about_us_home_page/about_us.html |archive-date=22 August 2011 |access-date=23 April 2010}} NETS provides a dedicated ambulance service for inter-hospital transport of sick newborns within the ACT and into surrounding New South Wales.{{cite web |url=http://www.nets.org.au/main/what.htm |title=What is NETS? |publisher=Newborn Emergency Transport Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223110451/http://www.nets.org.au/main/what.htm |archive-date=23 December 2007 |access-date=23 April 2010}}

File:Tuggeranong_Parkway.jpg.]]

File:New_terminal_building_at_Canberra_Airport_cropped2.jpg terminal]]

File:Canberra Railway Station.jpg]]

File:BUS877-04.jpg Ansair bodied Renault PR100.2]]

The automobile is by far the dominant form of transport in the territory.{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/natcapauth/report/chapter9.pdf |title=Canberra's transport system |publisher=Parliament of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207011010/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/natcapauth/report/chapter9.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012 |access-date=23 April 2010}} The city is laid out so that arterial roads connecting inhabited clusters run through undeveloped areas of open land or forest, which results in a low population density;{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|pp=23–25}} this also means that idle land is available for the development of future transport corridors if necessary without the need to build tunnels or acquire developed residential land. In contrast, other capital cities in Australia have substantially less green space.{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|pp=3–6, 32–35, 53–59, 74–77, 90–91, 101–104}}

Suburbs of Canberra are generally connected by parkways—limited access dual carriageway roads{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.act.gov.au/page/view/3063/title/act-road-hierarchy |title=ACT Road Hierarchy |date=21 August 2012 |publisher=ACT Government |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033051/http://www.justice.act.gov.au/page/view/3063/title/act-road-hierarchy |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} with speed limits generally set at a maximum of {{cvt|100|km/h|0}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=5787&s=29 |title=Survey shows speeding at disputed camera site |date=17 July 2007 |publisher=Chief Minister's Department |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928013134/http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=5787&s=29 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.afp.gov.au/act/road_traffic/speeding.html |title=Speeding |date=20 May 2008 |publisher=Australian Federal Police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112054723/http://www.afp.gov.au/act/road_traffic/speeding.html |archive-date=12 November 2009 |access-date=23 April 2010}} An example is the Tuggeranong Parkway which links Canberra's CBD and Tuggeranong, and bypasses Weston Creek.{{sfn|Universal Publishers|2007|pp=57, 67, 77}} In most districts, discrete residential suburbs are bounded by main arterial roads with only a few residential linking in, to deter non-local traffic from cutting through areas of housing.{{sfn|Universal Publishers|2007|pp=1–100}}

ACTION, the government-operated bus service, provides public transport route services in the territory.{{cite web |url=http://www.action.act.gov.au/About_ACTION/corporate |title=Corporate |publisher=ACTION |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-date=5 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205171504/https://www.action.act.gov.au/About_ACTION/corporate |url-status=dead}} CDC Canberra provides bus services between the territory and nearby areas of New South Wales (Murrumbateman and Yass){{cite web |url=http://www.transborder.com.au/index.php/about-us-bottom |title=About Us |publisher=Transborder Express |access-date=23 June 2017}} and as Qcity Transit (Queanbeyan).{{cite web |url=http://qcitytransit.com.au/about-us |title=About Us |publisher=Qcity Transit |access-date=23 June 2017}} A light rail line that opened in April 2019 links the CBD with the northern district of Gungahlin. At the 2016 census, 7.1% of the journeys to work involved public transport while 4.5% were on foot.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=UCL802001|name=Canberra – Queanbeyan (Canberra Part) |access-date=29 October 2017|quick=on}}

There are two local taxi companies. Aerial Capital Group enjoyed monopoly status until the arrival of Cabxpress in 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/02/03/1839551.htm |title=Taxi company 'not concerned' at losing monopoly |date=3 February 2007 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218043332/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/02/03/1839551.htm |archive-date=18 February 2011}} In October 2015, the territory government passed legislation to regulate ride sharing, allowing ride share services including Uber to operate legally in the territory.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-30/uber-launches-in-canberra/6898514 |title=Uber launches in ACT as Canberra becomes first city to regulate ride sharing |date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101065334/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-30/uber-launches-in-canberra/6898514 |archive-date=1 November 2015 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Commission}}{{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/uber-goes-live-in-canberra-with-more-than-a-hundred-drivers-registered-20151030-gkmqaa.html |title=Uber goes live in Canberra with more than 100 drivers registered |last=McIlroy |first=Tom |date=30 October 2015 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105033829/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/uber-goes-live-in-canberra-with-more-than-a-hundred-drivers-registered-20151030-gkmqaa.html |archive-date=5 November 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/30/act-chief-minister-launches-uber-in-canberra-calling-it-a-real-step-forward |title=ACT chief minister launches regulated Uber in Canberra, calling it 'a real step forward' |date=30 October 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103153733/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/30/act-chief-minister-launches-uber-in-canberra-calling-it-a-real-step-forward |archive-date=3 November 2015}} The territory government was the first jurisdiction in Australia to enact legislation to regulate the service.{{cite news |url=http://www.afr.com/technology/fullyregulated-uber-services-start-in-canberra-20151029-gkmgko |title=Fully-regulated Uber services start in Canberra |date=30 October 2015 |newspaper=Australian Financial Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030134534/http://www.afr.com/technology/fullyregulated-uber-services-start-in-canberra-20151029-gkmgko |archive-date=30 October 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media}}

An interstate NSW TrainLink railway service connects Canberra to Sydney.{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Southern Region}} Canberra's railway station is in the inner south suburb of Kingston.{{cite web |url=http://www.countrylink.info/travel_passes/travelpass_agencies |title=Travel pass agencies |date=14 December 2009 |publisher=CountryLink |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220052328/http://www.countrylink.info/travel_passes/travelpass_agencies |archive-date=20 February 2011 |access-date=23 April 2010}} Train services to Melbourne are provided by way of a NSW TrainLink bus service which connects with a rail service between Sydney and Melbourne in Yass, about a one-hour drive from Canberra.{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|pp=20}}

Canberra is about three hours by road from Sydney on the Federal Highway (National Highway 23),{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|loc=inside cover}} which connects with the Hume Highway (National Highway 31) near Goulburn, and seven hours by road from Melbourne on the Barton Highway (National Highway 25), which joins the Hume Highway at Yass.{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|loc=inside cover}} It is a two-hour drive on the Monaro Highway (National Highway 23) to the ski fields of the Snowy Mountains and the Kosciuszko National Park.{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|pp=20}} Batemans Bay, a popular holiday spot on the New South Wales coast, is also two hours away via the Kings Highway.{{sfn|Penguin Books Australia|2000|pp=20}}

Canberra Airport provides direct domestic services to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth, with connections to other domestic centres.{{cite web |url=http://www.canberraairport.com.au/air_flight_info/departures.cfm |title=Departures |publisher=Canberra Airport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902105846/http://www.canberraairport.com.au/air_flight_info/departures.cfm |archive-date=2 September 2012 |access-date=13 May 2010}} There are also direct flights to regional cities: Dubbo and Newcastle in New South Wales. Regular direct international flights operate to Singapore and Doha from the airport daily, but both with a stopover in Sydney before Canberra.{{Cite web |title=Singapore Airlines brings first class to Canberra on daily flights |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/singapore-airlines-brings-first-class-to-canberra-on-daily-flights |website=Executive Traveller |date=24 January 2018 |language=en |access-date=2020-04-30}}{{Cite web |title=Qatar Airways joins Singapore Airlines in growing Canberra international market – ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-13/qatar-airways-join-singapore-airlines-in-canberra-international/9442554 |date=13 February 2018 |website=abc.net.au |language=en-AU |access-date=2020-04-30}} Canberra Airport is, as of September 2013, designated by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as a restricted use designated international airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/international/icao/desig_airports.aspx |title=Designated International Airports in Australia |date=27 February 2013 |publisher=Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510090836/http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/international/icao/desig_airports.aspx |archive-date=10 May 2013}} Until 2003, the civilian airport shared runways with RAAF Base Fairbairn. In June of that year, the Air Force base was decommissioned and from that time the airport was fully under civilian control.{{cite journal |last=Hogan |first=Richard |date=July 2003 |title=Farewell to Fairbairn |publisher=Royal Australian Air Force |volume=45 |issue=12 |journal=Air Force}}

{{See also|Energy in the Australian Capital Territory}}

File:Mount_Majura_solar_farm_and_Majura_Parkway.jpg has a rated output of 2.3 megawatts and was opened on 6 October 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/news/mount-majura-solar-farm-switches-on-101016 |title=Mount Majura Solar Farm powers up in ACT |date=11 October 2016 |publisher=Solar Choice |access-date=6 January 2016}}]]

The government-owned Icon Water, formerly ACTEW, manages the territory's water and sewerage infrastructure.{{cite web |url=http://www.actew.com.au/About/Who-are-we/What-we-do.aspx |title=What we do |publisher=ACTEW |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403000353/http://www.actew.com.au/About/Who-are-we/What-we-do.aspx |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}} ActewAGL is a joint venture between Icon and AGL and is a retail provider of territory utility services including water, natural gas, electricity, and also some telecommunications services via a subsidiary TransACT.{{cite web |url=http://www.actewagl.com.au/About-us/Who-is-ActewAGL.aspx |title=About our business |publisher=ActewAGL |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125215038/http://www.actewagl.com.au/About-us/Who-is-ActewAGL.aspx |archive-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}

The territory's water reservoirs are the Corin, Bendora and Cotter dams on the Cotter River and the Googong Dam on the Queanbeyan River. Although the Googong Dam is located in New South Wales, it is managed by the territory government.{{cite web |url=http://www.actew.com.au/Water-Supply-System/The-water-network.aspx |title=The Water Network |publisher=ActewAGL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328102934/http://www.actew.com.au/Water-Supply-System/The-water-network.aspx |archive-date=28 March 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}} Icon Water owns the territory's two wastewater treatment plants, located at Fyshwick and on the lower reaches of the Molonglo River.{{cite web |url=http://www.actew.com.au/Sewerage-System/What-is-sewage/Sewage-Treatment-Plants/Fyshwick-Sewage-Treament-Plant.aspx |title=Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Plant |publisher=ActewAGL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312003432/http://www.actew.com.au/Sewerage-System/What-is-sewage/Sewage-Treatment-Plants/Fyshwick-Sewage-Treament-Plant.aspx |archive-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.actew.com.au/Sewerage-System/What-is-sewage/Sewage-Treatment-Plants/Lower-Molonglo-Water-Quality-Control-Centre.aspx |title=Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre |publisher=ActewAGL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312003423/http://www.actew.com.au/Sewerage-System/What-is-sewage/Sewage-Treatment-Plants/Lower-Molonglo-Water-Quality-Control-Centre.aspx |archive-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}}

Electricity for the territory mainly comes from the national power grid through substations at Holt and Fyshwick (via Queanbeyan).{{cite web |url=http://www.icrc.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/16792/issuespaperelecinfcontestabilityoctober03.pdf |title=Review of Contestable Electricity Infrastructure Workshop |author=Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission |date=October 2003 |page=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420202136/http://www.icrc.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/16792/issuespaperelecinfcontestabilityoctober03.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2013 |access-date=10 May 2010}} Power was first supplied from a thermal plant built in 1913, near the Molonglo River, but this was finally closed in 1957.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15404837 |title=The Founding of Canberra |date=14 March 1913 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218035413/http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15404837 |archive-date=18 February 2014 |url-status=live |page=5}}{{cite web |url=http://client14.matrix01.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/148426/473.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://client14.matrix01.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/148426/473.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=20048. Kingston Powerhouse Historic Precinct (Entry to the ACT Heritage Register) |publisher=ACT Heritage Council |access-date=11 October 2014}} The ACT has four solar farms, which were opened between 2014 and 2017: Royalla (rated output of 20 megawatts, 2014),{{cite press release |url=http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/corbell/2014/australias-largest-solar-farm-opens-in-the-act |title=Australia's largest solar farm opens in the ACT |publisher=ACT Government |date=3 September 2014 |access-date=11 October 2014 |archive-date=19 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019062424/http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/corbell/2014/australias-largest-solar-farm-opens-in-the-act |url-status=dead}} Mount Majura (2.3 MW, 2016), Mugga Lane (13 MW, 2017){{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/mugga-lane-solar-farm-opens-bringing-act-to-35-per-cent-renewable-energy-20170302-gup673.html |title=Mugga Lane solar farm opens, bringing ACT to 35 per cent renewable energy |date=2 March 2017 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |access-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302110650/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/mugga-lane-solar-farm-opens-bringing-act-to-35-per-cent-renewable-energy-20170302-gup673.html |archive-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=live}} and Williamsdale (11 MW, 2017).{{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/government-unveils-36000-new-solar-panels-at-williamsdale-20171004-gyu8z8.html |title=Government unveils 36,000 new solar panels at Williamsdale |date=5 October 2017 |newspaper=The Canberra Times |access-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129172410/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/government-unveils-36000-new-solar-panels-at-williamsdale-20171004-gyu8z8.html |archive-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=live}} In addition numerous houses in Canberra have photovoltaic panels or solar hot water systems. In 2015 and 2016, rooftop solar systems supported by the territory government's feed-in tariff had a capacity of 26.3 megawatts, producing 34,910 MWh. In the same year, retailer-supported schemes had a capacity of 25.2 megawatts and exported 28,815 MWh to the grid (power consumed locally was not recorded).{{cite web |url=https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/1021129/2016-15-Annual-FiT-Report-Access.pdf |title=2015–16 Annual Feed-in Tariff Report |publisher=ACT Government |page=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309143807/https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/1021129/2016-15-Annual-FiT-Report-Access.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=8 December 2017}}

The territory has the highest rate with internet access at home (94 per cent of households in 2014–15).{{cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/8146.02014-15?OpenDocument |title=8146.0 – Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2014–15 |date=18 February 2016 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=4 January 2017}}

{{Main|Economy of the Australian Capital Territory}}

Economic activity in the territory is heavily concentrated around the city of Canberra.

A stable housing market, steady employment and rapid population growth in the 21st century have led to economic prosperity and, in 2011, Commsec ranked the territory as the second best performing state or territory in the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/australian-capital-territory-australias-best-economy-1277250 |title=Australian Capital Territory is Australia's best economy |date=18 January 2011 |work=International Business Times |access-date=11 February 2016}} This trend continued into 2016, when the territory was ranked the third best performing out of all of Australia's states and territories.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-27/commsec-state-of-the-states-puts-nsw-economy-1/7115154 |title=CommSec State of the States places NSW economy first |newspaper=ABC News |date=27 January 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016}}

In 2017–18, the territory had the fastest rate of growth in the nation due to a rapid growth in population, a strongly performing higher education sector as well as a significant housing and infrastructure investment.{{Cite web |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/5996178/glitter-starting-to-fade-act-economic-growth-to-slow/ |title='Glitter starting to fade': ACT economic growth to slow |last=Jervis-Bardy |first=Dan |date=29 January 2019 |website=The Canberra Times |language=en |access-date=2019-04-09}}

Higher education is the territory's largest export industry.{{Cite web |url=https://dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/act.pdf |title=Fact sheets for countries, economies and regions: Australian Capital Territory |date=2018 |website=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |access-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422162308/https://dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/act.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2019 |url-status=dead}} The territory is home to a significant number of universities and higher education providers. The other major services exports of the territory in 2017–18 were government services and personal travel. The major goods exports of the territory in 2017–18 were gold coin, legal tender coin, metal structures and fish, though these represent a small proportion of the economy compared to services exports.

The economy of the territory is largely dependent on the public sector with 30% of the jobs in the territory being in the public sector.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dixon.com.au/insights/the-act-economy |title=The ACT economy still going strong |last=Kennedy |first=Maddison |date=July 2017 |website=Dixon Advisory |access-date=2019-04-09}} Decisions by the federal government regarding the public service can have a significant impact on the territory's economy.

The territory's gross state product in 2017–18 was $39.8 billion which represented 2.2% of the gross domestic product of Australia. In 2017–18 the territory economy grew by 4.0 per cent, the highest growth rate of any jurisdiction in Australia. This brought real economic growth over the three years to June 2018 to 12 per cent.{{Cite web |url=https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1318151/2018-19-Budget-Review-Web-Version-PDF.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1318151/2018-19-Budget-Review-Web-Version-PDF.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Australian Capital Territory BUDGET 2018–19 Budget Review |last=ACT Government |access-date=2019-10-27}}

{{Portal|Australia}}

• Community Based Corrections
• Human Rights Act 2004
• Index of Australia-related articles
• Jervis Bay Territory
• Revenue stamps of the Australian Capital Territory

{{Clear}}

{{notelist}}

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{{Reflist|35em}}

• {{Cite book |title=The Penguin Australia Road Atlas |year=2000 |publisher=Penguin Books Australia |location=Ringwood, Victoria |isbn=0-670-88980-6 |ref={{harvid|Penguin Books Australia|2000}}}}
• {{Cite book |title=UBD Canberra |year=2007 |location=North Ryde, New South Wales |publisher=Universal Publishers |isbn=978-0-7319-1882-9 |ref={{harvid|Universal Publishers|2007}}}}
• {{Cite book |last=Vaisutis |first=Justine |title=Australia |location=Footscray, Victoria |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-74179-160-0}}

{{Sister project links|voy=Australian Capital Territory|Australian Capital Territory}}

• [http://www.act.gov.au/ Government of the Australian Capital Territory]
• [http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/ Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Territory]
• [http://www.courts.act.gov.au/ Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory]
• [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/66f306f503e529a5ca25697e0017661f/F221BFA073B3ABC6CA256AD4007F6845?opendocument Statistical Subdivisions of the Australian Capital Territory]
• [https://www.arts.act.gov.au/public-art/list List of public art in Australian Capital Territory]
• {{osmrelation|2354197}}

{{Australian Capital Territory}}

{{States and territories of Australia}}

{{Capital districts and territories}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1911 establishments in Australia

Category:Enclaves and exclaves

Category:Georgist communities

Category:States and territories established in 1911