Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Legal System: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage: NA
Citizenship: see Australia
Executive Branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by the Governor-General of Australia head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Farzian ZAINAL (since 2023) cabinet: NA elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General of Australia and serves as the representative of both the monarch and the Australian government on the islands
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats); members are elected by residents of the islands to serve four-year terms, with elections held every two years on a rotational basis so that a portion of the council stands for election at each cycle.
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court
Political Parties: none
Head of State: King CHARLES III, represented by the Governor-General of Australia
Head of Government: Administrator (nonresident) Farzian ZAINAL
Elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National Holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
International Organization Participation: none
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (territory of Australia)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (territory of Australia)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: West Island
Location: 12 10 S, 96 50 E
Time Difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: the flag of Australia is used

National Anthem

Anthem History: Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a territory of Australia

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