Australia Overview

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The Commonwealth of Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and covers an area of nearly eight million square kilometres (about 3.1 million square miles). The country is comprised of six federated states which include the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

Australia lies across the Tropic of Capricorn, sandwiched between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The country has such a tropical climate, it is hard to believe that Antarctica lies just 2000 kilometres (about 1250 miles) to the south. Australia is considered the driest continent on the planet, and its land is relatively flat, with exceptions like the Great Dividing Range of the east, which includes mountains, plateaux and tablelands. In addition, there are the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, and the Grampians of Victoria, which also provide variation to the landscape.

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the largest Australian city and is considered by many to be the spiritual heart of Australia. Reaching across 1580 square kilometres (610 square miles), Sydney is about the same size as London. Founded in 1788, Sydney was the first European settlement in the country, and is home to a hugely multicultural population which consists of approximately 4.0 million people.

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and is home to over 3.2 million people. The city is the second largest in Australia and is considered one of the country's most eminent centres for art, business, culture, education, entertainment, shopping and sports. Melbourne is multicultural in nature and is home to over 140 different nationalities. Once voted the "Most Liveable City in the World," Melbourne is one of the cleanest, friendliest and safest cities one will encounter. In addition, Melbourne is the country's commercial and manufacturing centre as well as one of Australia's busiest ports. As a result of its diversity and strategic location, Melbourne is an ideal location for international business.

The Government

At the onset, Australia was established as a British colony consisting of several divided states. In 1901, the states combined to form the Federation. Currently, Australia is a British Commonwealth with a Prime Minister, Premiers heading each state cabinet and Governor-Generals in each state ceremoniously representing the monarch of England. Parliament is responsible for upholding the Australian constitution's guidelines for such issues as defence, economic issues, trade and taxation. Therefore the state governments are responsible for the management of education, transportation and infrastructure issues.

There is much speculation that Australia may break ties with England and become a republic in the new century.

Climate

Because a large portion of the country consists of seemingly endless deserts, most Australians settle along the tropical coastline. In this beautiful setting, blue skies are almost constant and the climate can be ideal, but Australia does get some very severe weather. In such areas as Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney it can rain heavily for days, causing major flooding. It can also get extremely cold in both Melbourne and Tasmania. In addition, areas in the northern, less temperate portion of the country can experience occasional cyclones and devastating bush fires, although these problems have been known to occur throughout Australia as well.

Due to its size, Australia is home to many climates, ranging from tropical to temperate and cool. The seasons in Australia will vary with latitude, but in general, the seasons are as follows: winter (June to August), spring (September to October), summer (November to March) and autumn (April to May). Sydney's average daytime temperature in July is about 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and approximately 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in January.

The Culture

Australia has a somewhat relaxed atmosphere with a unique mixture of casual comfort and urban flair. Often viewed as a place where there is always a shrimp on the barbecue or a koala in every tree, Australia is not often given the credit it is due in the international business arena. However, it is not uncommon for new residents to experience a bit of culture shock upon their arrival in Australia. Unlike other countries where business is conducted by men and women outfitted in three-piece suits, Australia presents a more relaxed view on business attire. But, do not underestimate the Australians. They may appear casual and relaxed, but they are not to be considered uneducated or unsophisticated.

One of the more refreshing characteristics of Australians is their total lack of pretension. Everyone is considered to be your "mate," and you are often greeted with "G'day!" Unlike other Western countries where wealth and establishment carry some sort of prestige and admiration, Australians tend to consider everyone to be of equal value -- at least on the surface. Australians dislike pretention and often the expression "tall poppies" is used for a person with these attitudes.

Even though most of the first European settlers in Australia were immigrants from England and Ireland, the population now consists of several nationalities and races. As more and more people migrate to the country, the culture continues to expand and grow with each new addition. Over 23 percent of the Australian population was born overseas. Most people migrating into Australia are from New Zealand or the United Kingdom. However, in recent years there has been a huge growth in Asian migration.

Several large communities consisting of people from different backgrounds and cultures have been established, with each offering education, publications, radio, social clubs and television catering to each nationality. In addition to the “foreign” inhabitants, Australia also has a large population of Aborigines.

Language

English is the official language of Australia. Some Australians speak a dialect known locally as “strine”. Anyone who speaks English should have no difficulty understanding strine, although there may be some slang that will need explanation.

Religion

There are a multitude of different religions practised in Australia. The predominant religion is Christianity, with approximately 70 percent of Australians claiming to be Christian. The other 30 percent of Australians profess themselves to be largely Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, or to practise no religion. Since the early 1980s there has been a huge growth in the practise of both Buddhism and Islam. Foreign nationals moving to Australia should have no difficulty finding a place to practise their religion.

Public Holidays

New Year’s Day
(1 January)
Australia Day
(25 January)
Good Friday
March/April)
Easter Saturday
(March/April)
Easter Monday
(March/April)
Anzac Day
(25 April)
Labour Day
(October)
Christmas Day
(25 December)
Boxing Day
(26 December)

Embassies in Australia

Argentina
First floor Suite 102
MLC Tower
Woden ACT 2606
Tel: [61](2) 6282-4855/4555
Fax: [61](2) 6285-3062

Austria
12 Talbot Street
Forrest ACT 2603
PO Box 3375
Manuka ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6295-1533
Fax: [61](2) 6239-6751

Belgium
19 Arkana Street
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-2501
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3392

Brazil
19 Forster Crescent
Yarralumla ACT 2600
GPO Box 1540
Canberra Act 2601
Tel: [61](2) 6273-2372
Fax: [61](2) 6273-2375

Canada
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6270-4000
Fax: [61](2) 6270-4081

Chile
10 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
PO Box 69
Monaro Crescent ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6286-2430
Fax: [61](2) 6286-1289

China
15 Coronation Drive
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-4780
Fax: [61](2) 6273-4878

Costa Rica
11th floor de la Sala House
30 Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: [61](2) 9261-1177
Fax: [61](2) 9261-2953

Czech Republic
38 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
Tel: [61](2) 6290-1386/-0010
Fax: [61](2) 6290-0006

Ecuador
Suite 705
301 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: [61](2) 9290-3992
Fax: [61](2) 9290-3996

Finland
10 Darwin Avenue
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3800
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3603

France
6 Perth Avenue
Yarralumia ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6216-0100
Fax: [61](2) 6216-0127

Germany
119 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6270-1911
Fax: [61](2) 6270-1951

Hungary
17 Beale Crescent
Deakin ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6282-3226
Fax: [61](2) 6285-3012

Ireland
20 Arkana Street
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3022
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3741

Italy
12 Grey Street
Deakin ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3333
Fax: [61](2) 6273-4223

Japan
112 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3244
Fax: [61](2) 6273-1848

Korea
113 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3044
Fax: [61](2) 6273-4839

Luxembourg
Level 3
The Landmark Building
345 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
GPO Box 3375
Sydney NSW 2001
Tel: [61](2) 9320-0255
Fax: [61](2) 9262-4080

Malaysia
7 Perth Avenue
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-1543/-1544
Fax: [61](2) 6273-2496

Mexico
14 Perth Avenue
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3905
Fax: [61](2) 6273-1190

The Netherlands
120 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3111/-3386
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3206

New Zealand
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6270-4211
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3194

Peru
43 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
PO Box 106
Red Hill ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6290-0922
Fax: [61](2) 6290-0924

Philippines
1 Moonah Place
Yarralumla ACT 2600
PO Box 3297
Manuka ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6273-2535
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3984

Poland
7 Turrana Street
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-1208
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3184

Russia
78 Canberra Avenue
Griffith ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6295-9033
Fax: [61](2) 6295-1847

Saudi Arabia
12 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
PO Box 63
Garran ACT 2605
Tel: [61](2) 6286-2099
Fax: [61](2) 6290-1835

Singapore
17 Forster Crescent
Lesmurdie WA 6076
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3944
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3260

Spain
15 Arkana Street
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3555
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3918

Sweden
5 Turrana Street
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6270-2700
Fax: [61](2) 6270-2755

Switzerland
7 Melbourne Avenue
Forrest ACT 2603
Tel: [61](2) 6273-3977
Fax: [61](2) 6273-3428

United Kingdom
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6270 6666
Fax: [61](2) 6273 3236

United States of America
Moonah Place
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: [61](2) 6214-5600
Fax: [61](2) 6214-5970

Venezuela
1st floor Suite 6 MLC Tower
Woden ACT 2606
Tel: [61](2) 6282-4827/-4828
Fax: [61](2) 6281-1969