The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) covers nearly 5.9 million square kilometres. That’s about 42% of Antarctica. The area is nearly 80% of the size of Australia itself.

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT)

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is an external Territory of Australia. It was established as a Territory of the Commonwealth under the Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act 1933 when it was transferred to Australia from the United Kingdom.

The AAT comprises all islands and territory situated south of the 60 degree south latitude and lying between the 160 degree east longitude and the 45 degree east longitude, except for between the 136 degree longitude and the 142 degree longitude (which is the French Adelie land). It covers nearly 5.9 million square kilometres, or about 42% of Antarctica, and is nearly 80% of the size of mainland Australia.

The Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water maintains three permanent, year-round research stations in the AAT: Casey, Davis and Mawson, a summer only station and associated airfield infrastructure - Wilkins Aerodrome, and a number of field camps throughout the AAT to support field-based science. These stations are staffed by scientists and support personnel to conduct a wide range of scientific research programs.

Logistical support for Australia’s stations and activities throughout the AAT is provided by a range of assets, including: fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, an inland traverse (tractor) transport and mobile station system, and the RSV Nuyina, Australia’s state-of-the-art icebreaker and research vessel.

A map of the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT)
A map of the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) Photo: Commonwealth of Australia

Governance and administration

The current legal regime for the AAT was established via the Australian Antarctic Territory Act 1954. The Act identifies four sources of law that apply in the AAT, in order of priority:

  • Commonwealth laws expressly applying to the Territory, and Commonwealth laws expressed to extend to the Territory
  • Ordinances made by the Governor–General for the peace, order and good government of the Territory
  • The laws (other than the criminal laws), in force in the Australian Capital Territory (so far as they are applicable and not inconsistent with any Ordinance)
  • The criminal laws in force in the Jervis Bay Territory (so far as they are applicable and not inconsistent with any Ordinance).

As set out in the Australian Administrative Orders (AAO), the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is responsible for the administration of the AAT, including administering key Australian legislation that applies to the AAT, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment and Water. The Australian Antarctic Division fulfils this role for the Department.

Key legislation includes:

History

Australia has a long association with the AAT. Douglas Mawson led the 1911–1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition. The expedition had bases at Commonwealth Bay (south of Tasmania) and the Shackleton Ice Shelf (south of Perth). The expedition explored extensively along the coast near the bases.

Mawson also led the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) of 1929–1931. During this expedition Mawson claimed what is now the AAT as British sovereign territory. Early in 1933, Britain asserted sovereign rights over the claimed territory and placed the territory under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.

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