- First governor of New South Wales. Known at the time as “Captain General and Governor-in –Chief”.
- Appointed 12 October,1786 as the representative of the British Crown in an area embracing roughly half of eastern Australia and Norfolk Island.
- His powers in the colony of New South Wales were absolute. This meant he had complete authority over the inhabitants, in all aspects of their lives. He could also had the authority to grant land to approved persons.
- He had the powers of the Chief Justice.
- He named and helped design Sydney and established Parramatta in 1788 for agricultural purposes. Parramatta soon became the main economic centre of the colony.
- He established a building program and built the first government house.
- He sought to maintain harmony with the Aboriginal people while gradually persuading them of the superiority of the British civilization.
- By the time Phillip sailed home in December 1792, the colony was taking shape, with official land-grants and systematic farming and water-supply.