Australia's Oceans and Seas
Area of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
Australia has the right to explore and exploit the seabed and water column in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Australia has one of the largest EEZ's in the world with the total area being greater than the nation's land area. The EEZ generally extends to a 200 nautical mile limit from the coastline of Australia, including the external territories. The size of Australia's EEZs is shown in the table below and can be seen in the map of Australia's maritime boundaries.
Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone
| EEZ |
AREA (km2) |
| Heard & McDonald Islands |
410 722 |
| Cocos Islands |
463 371 |
| Christmas Island |
325 021 |
| Norfolk Island |
428 618 |
| Macquarie Island |
471 837 |
| Australia |
6 048 681 |
| TOTAL |
8 148 250 |
Source: AMBIS 2001. Calculated in November 2000.
Note: Area excludes the EEZ off Antarctica.
