Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of more than 20.6 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent. It is the earth’s biggest island and the sixth-largest country in the world in land area.
Australia has 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world. Australia is committed to conserving its unique environment and natural heritage and has a range of protection procedures in place, including World Heritage listings and many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
At June 2006, Australia had the 13th biggest overall economy in the world and the 10th biggest industrialised economy. It was the 8th richest nation in per capita terms (excluding tax havens) and is the 6th oldest continuously functioning democracy in the world.
Australia's population includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants from some 200 countries. In almost 60 years of planned post-war migration, Australia has welcomed more than 6.5 million migrants, including more than 660 000 refugees. During this time, the population has almost tripled from about 7 million.
Migrants have brought with them language skills and other capabilities that are valuable in today's global economy and workforce. Although English is the official language in Australia, more than 4.1 million Australians speak a second language. As a result, Australia offers the familiarity of a Western business culture with a workforce capable of operating in many different business environments.
Skyline of Perth, the capital of Western Australia
Australia's economy is open and innovative, with a commitment from the Australian Government to maintain the strong economic growth that has taken place since the early 1990s. Australia is one of the few countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) where general government net debt has been eliminated. According to the OECD's 2006 economic summary of Australia, living standards have steadily improved since the start of the 1990s and now surpass those of all the industrialised nations that form the Group of Eight except the United States.
Australia has a well-developed education system with participation rates among the highest in the world. Each year, Australia welcomes an increasing number of international students, with current figures rating Australia 3rd among English-speaking countries as a student destination.
The quality of life enjoyed by people in Australia is one of the highest in the world. Australia's clean physical environment, health services, education and lifestyle combine to make it an attractive place to live. Australia's ancient Indigenous traditions and multiculturalism are reflected in the diverse cultures and forms of artistic talent present in the country.
Did you know?
A 2006 report from the Economist Intelligence Unit rates five Australian cities as among the top 12 desirable venues for business travel. The rankings were Adelaide (4th), Brisbane (6th), Perth (8th), Melbourne (9th) and Sydney (12th). The survey ranked 127 cities and took into account cost-related and environmental factors.
Australia's spectacular natural environment, rich Indigenous history and culture, multicultural communities, and high-quality food and wine make it a popular international tourist destination. Around 5.5 million people visited Australia in 2005–06, making the tourism industry the largest contributor to Australian services export earnings.
Australia is a robust democracy that pioneered the secret ballot and the vote for women. Australia's system of government reflects the British and North American models of liberal democracy, but has uniquely Australian features.
The Flag
The Australian flag was raised for the first time in Melbourne on 3 September 1901, following a design competition that drew 32 823 entries. The stars of the Southern Cross represent Australia's geographic position in the Southern Hemisphere, the large Commonwealth star symbolises the federation of the states and territories and the Union Jack embodies Australia's early ties to Great Britain.
National Colours
Green and gold have been Australia's national colours since 19 April 1984.
National Day
Australia Day is celebrated every year on 26 January. This date commemorates the anniversary of the unfurling of the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788.
National Anthem
Advance Australia Fair has been Australia's official national anthem since 19 April 1984.
- Australians all let us rejoice,
- For we are young and free;
- We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
- Our home is girt by sea;
- Our land abounds in nature's gifts
- Of beauty rich and rare;
- In history's page, let every stage
- Advance Australia Fair.
- In joyful strains then let us sing,
- Advance Australia Fair.
- Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
- We'll toil with hearts and hands;
- To make this Commonwealth of ours
- Renowned of all the lands;
- For those who've come across the seas
- We've boundless plains to share;
- With courage let us all combine
- To Advance Australia Fair.
- In joyful strains then let us sing,
- Advance Australia Fair.
Australia has six states, two major mainland territories, and other minor territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Capital is Canberra.
- Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
- Area: total: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
- Coastline: 25,760 km
- Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
- Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
- Population: 20,600,856 (July 2008 est.)
- Net migration rate: 3.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
- Ethnic groups: white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
- Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census)
Visiting Australia
A popular destination
Travellers from 170 countries rated Australia as the number one place they most wanted to visit, in a survey conducted in 2006 by the Lonely Planet travel group.
The top 10 sources of tourists in 2006 were: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, China, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Germany.
While most of the top 10 source countries are in the Asia-Pacific region, travellers from Europe and the Americas also consistently rank Australia highly as a tourist destination.
Around 5.5 million international tourists visited Australia in 2005-06. Visitors are attracted by the allure of crystal beaches, a pristine natural environment, unique fauna, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. But they do not come just for a beach holiday. Australian food and wine are highly regarded in world culinary circles. Australian arts have built a reputation for innovation and talent-another reason for tourists to visit. Australia's Indigenous art is celebrated in art galleries from New York to London.
Australia's cultural diversity, tolerance, inclusiveness and cosmopolitan lifestyle also play an important role in making international visitors feel welcome. For example, Tourism Australia recently launched a new guide especially for Muslim visitors, which provides information about halal food outlets and locations of mosques in Australia.
Top 10 activities for international visitors
dining out in a restaurant or café |
90 per cent |
shopping for pleasure |
85 per cent |
going to the beach, including swimming, surfing and diving |
62 per cent |
going to markets |
52 per cent |
visiting national and state parks |
46 per cent |
going to pubs, clubs and discos |
42 per cent |
visiting wildlife parks, zoos and aquariums |
40 per cent |
visiting botanical or other public gardens |
37 per cent |
going on water cruises, chartering boats and ferries |
36 per cent |
visiting historic sites, heritage buildings or monuments |
31 per cent |
Tourism and international students
Australia has significant international people-to-people links, particularly with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, almost six million international travellers and students visit Australia for tourism or to undertake formal courses of study. They not only make a significant contribution to the Australian economy, but also develop important and often enduring links with Australia.
Hundreds of thousands of young people who have studied in Australia and graduated from Australian educational institutions have become familiar with Australia and its way of life. Many continue to maintain personal and professional links with Australia long after they graduate in their chosen fields.
Tourism
With around 5.5 million international tourists arriving in Australia in 2005-06, tourism has become Australia's biggest services export industry. International visitors consume around $18 billion worth of the goods and services produced by the Australian economy-12 per cent of total exports.
The tourist industry employs around 550 000 people (5.7 per cent of total employment) and contributes $75 billion per year to consumption.
More than 90 per cent of tourism-related businesses employ about 20 staff, including substantial numbers of young people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds. With 48 cents in every tourism dollar spent outside of the capital cities, tourism is a key economic sector for regional Australia.
In the financial year ended June 2006, the single biggest number of overseas tourists came from New Zealand (1 072 300). The other top source countries were the United Kingdom (702 000), Japan (661 600), the United States (452 500), China (302 800), Singapore (252 200), the Republic of Korea (248 900), Hong Kong (157 100), Malaysia (149 900) and Germany (148 600).
International students
The international education industry is Australia's second biggest services export sector, contributing $10.1 billion to the Australian economy in 2005-06. Australia is the preferred choice for international students from many countries and is the third most popular English-speaking study destination for these students.
In 2006, about 383,818 students from more than 190 countries were studying at educational institutions in Australia, including 5000 funded under Australian Government scholarships. Another 100 000 were studying Australian courses at off-shore campuses or by correspondence.
Australia offers international students some 25 000 courses delivered by more than 1100 universities, training colleges and schools. The three biggest sectors in terms of enrolments were higher education (around 160 000), vocational and technical education (60 000) and English-language intensive courses (60 000).
Asia remains Australia's main source of international students, with more than 75 per cent, but enrolments from the Middle East, South America and Africa have grown strongly. International students are attracted by the high standard of Australia's education and training, its national qualifications framework, welcoming environment and diverse society.
Australia's English-language schools provide a wide variety of training programs. These range from short courses to improve students' English-language skills while visiting Australia as part of a holiday, to formal courses in preparation for accredited levels of English recognised by education and immigration authorities around the world.
English-language training in Australia is provided by specialised institutions. A national accreditation body (the National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme) sets standards for class sizes, teacher qualifications, teaching methods and curriculum. Students from more than 100 countries come to Australia to learn English for academic, work, travel or personal reasons. National legislation maintains high standards for those in Australia on student visas. Laws require registration of every course and institution that enrols international students on student visas. International students can apply for permission to work part time during their stay in Australia.
The Study in Australia website provides comprehensive information on options open to students, as well as a search facility covering all the courses and institutions available to international students. It also provides information about student visas. The website is available in numerous languages and a database lists scholarships by field and level of study. In 2006, according to Australian Education International, the greatest number of international student enrolments in Australia came from the following countries: China (90,287); India (39,166); Republic of Korea (31,257); Hong Kong (20 523); Malaysia (19,166); Thailand (17 889); Japan (17,804); Indonesia (15,038); the United States (12,045) and Brazil (10,190). Australia has provided scholarships to enable students in the Asia–Pacific region to study in Australia since the late 1940s.