The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

Jervis Bay Territory governance and administration

Governance

The Territory was surrendered to the Commonwealth by the State of New South Wales in 1915. The Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 (the Acceptance Act) and Jervis Bay Territory Ordinances made by the Governor-General are administered by the Minister with responsibility for Territories.

Economic development

Economic Development

Tourism is the most significant economic activity in the Jervis Bay Territory. Approximately 450,000 tourists visit each year including day-trippers and campers who enjoy the facilities of the Booderee National Park.

Financial Arrangements/Service Delivery

The Commonwealth and the ACT entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for the continued provision of services in 2012.

History of Jervis Bay Territory

1770 Captain Cook sighted Jervis Bay and named St George's Head (it was St George's Day April 1770) and called Point Perpendicular ‘Long Nose".
1791 The bay was named ‘Jervis Bay" by Lieutenant Bowen of the Atlantic in honour of Admiral Sir John Jervis under whom he had served.
1811 GW Evens surveyed the bay.

Jervis Bay Territory Environment and Heritage

Environment

The Jervis Bay region lies in an overlap between the northern and southern climatic zones. The range of habitats include: oceanic waters, bay waters of varying depths, intertidal rock platforms and beaches, estuarine waters, recent and ancient dune systems, coastal cliffs, heaths, forests, swamps and perched lakes.

The climatic conditions together with a variety of habitats have created an extremely rich and varied array of wildlife species both on the land and in the sea.

Jervis Bay Total Fire Bans

NOTICE OF TOTAL FIRE BAN IN THE JERVIS BAY TERRITORY
7 and 8 November 2024

A Total Fire Ban is in force in the Jervis Bay Territory from midnight, 7 November 2024 to midnight 8 November 2024.

This follows the declaration of a Total Fire Ban in Illawarra/Shoalhaven for the same period due to hot and dry conditions in parts of the state.

Jervis Bay Territory

Image of Steamers Beach Panorama, Booderee National Park—Parks Australia

Image of Steamers Beach Panorama, Booderee National Park—Parks Australia
(Courtesy of the Director of National Parks)

Providing feedback on services to the Indian Ocean Territories

Contact Us

Introduction

Engagement about the delivery of services to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is important to community members and the Australian and Western Australian Governments.

Territories of Australia—Community Feedback

The Australian Government, through the department, administers the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, the Jervis Bay Territory and Norfolk Island. The department also manages the government's interests in the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory.

Indian Ocean Territories Government Gazettes 2017

February

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Coral Sea Islands

The Coral Sea Islands Territory was established as a Territory of the Commonwealth in 1969 under the Coral Sea Islands Act 1969.

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