Norfolk Island is to present a petition to the United Nations in New York next week, seeking listing as one the UN's Non-Self-Governing Territories.
This comes after Australia ended the island's limited self-government in July last year.
After a transitional phase, the island is set to become a regional council under the auspices of New South Wales.
The most recent former chief minister, Lisle Snell, said listing as a Non-Self-Governing Territory would impose certain obligations on Australia.
"What we are asking for is that Norfolk Island be given the rights that are accorded under the terms and conditions of being a Non-Self-Governing Territory," he said.
"It's a very, very historic occasion for us and we can't emphasise strongly enough the importance of this process that we are going through."