In Canberra it's a ruler's load (8)
I believe the answer is:
kingston
'in canberra' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a ruler's load' is the wordplay.
'a ruler's' becomes 'kings' (king is a kind of ruler).
'load' becomes 'ton' (I've seen this in another clue).
'kings'+'ton'='KINGSTON'
'it's' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for kingston that I've seen before include "Jamaican capital" , "Capital of Jamaica" , "island capital" , "Royal borough on river Thames" .)