The Salvation Army, Australia Southern Territory

The Salvation Army, Australian Southern Territory or (AST) is one of two administrative territories that The Salvation Army is divided into within Australia and covers 4 states and 1 Australian territory of the country. The AST is geographically sub-divided into 8 divisions, all under different Divisional Commanders, each reporting directly to the Territorial Commander, currently Commissioner Raymond Finger. Its headquarters are located on Railway Road, in Blackburn.

History
The Salvation Army in Australia, was not originally separated into two Territories, but existed administratively as one. It was known as The Australasian Territory from 1880 until it was renamed The Australian Territory in 1907, which it remained until the split into two territories in 1921.

Structure
The Salvation Army in Australia does not have a National Commander, as other territories may, but rather, each of its two Territories is responsible to International Headquarters (IHQ).

The Territorial Commander (TC) and Chief Secretary are appointed by the The General, their role is to oversee and administer the work of The Salvation Army within the Territory, they are assisted by various other Secretaries (departmental heads) who are, in turn, responsible for overseeing their various branches of Army activity.

The TC is responsible for the Army's overall operation and mission, and the Chief Secretary is responsible for the territory's administration and daily operations. Senior executive Officers are, on the recommendation of the Territorial Commander, also appointed by the General.

All other Officer appointments within a Territory are the responsibility of the Territorial Commander and The Cabinet. This Cabinet refers to the territory's administrative System. The five member Administrative Cabinet – similar to a Board – determines policy and strategy for the Territory, particularly as it relates to the future.

Divisions
The AST is broken up into smaller administrative regions called Divisions, controlled by a Divisional Headquarters (or DHQ) and headed by a Divisional Commander. In the AST most of the states are more sparsely populated than the AET, and are each classified as separate divisions with their DHQ located in the state capital city. However, Victoria, is a more populous state and is therefore broke up into four divisions: