The Jervis Bay Territory was created at the same time so that the ACT would have a harbor without relying on one of the states . In 1915 the Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 created the Jervis Bay Territory as an annexe to the Australian Capital Territory . In 1988 , when the ACT gained self-government , Jervis Bay became a separate territory administered by the Australian Government Minister responsible for Territories , presently the Minister for Home Affairs ( Australia ) .