Living in Australia

About Australia

Australia is a multi-cultural country that welcomes overseas visitors, whether it is for short holidays, study or migration.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. Around the same size as the mainland USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, Australia has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.

The Australian environment is unique and Australia is a country of contrast, including unspoilt beaches, tropical rainforest, rugged mountain ranges and vast tracts of desert. Home to an amazing 14 World Heritage listed wilderness areas; Australia's diversity is yours to enjoy.

Climate

Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate, and most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70 per cent of the total possible hours. It’s no surprise that Australians and it’s many visitors love the beach lifestyle. Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen though!

Government and time zones

Australia is a federal republic divided into 6 states and 2 territories, each with their own state government. There are three time zones in Australia: Eastern Standard Time (EST), which includes New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory; Central Standard Time (CST), which includes South Australia and the Northern Territory; and Western Standard Time (WST) - Western Australia. CST is one half hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

Language and culture

English is the official language of Australia. The Australian love of life shows in our culture. Whether spent appreciating the arts or exploring the great outdoors, leisure time is an important aspect of Australian life. Our multicultural diversity also influences our culture.

Lifestyle

Australians are known for their love of life and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
While we have a reputation for being a little wild at times, our love of fine dining, the arts and music go hand in hand with our love of sport, the beach and BBQs. Wherever you go in Australia, you'll find a passion for getting the most out of life.

Sport

It's no secret that Australians have a love affair with sport. With more than 120 national and thousands of local, regional and state sporting organisations, it's estimated that seven million people in Australia are registered sport participants. Not bad from a population of only 22 million!

Native animals

As the Australian landmass separated from the other continents over 50 million years ago, indigenous animals have developed a range of individual and unusual characteristics in a unique habitat. The result is a wealth of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world, such as the much loved kangaroos and koalas that have become symbols of Australia.

Links:
www.australia.com
http://www.australianexplorer.com
studyinaustralia.gov.au/

About Queensland

The state of Queensland covers 1,727,000 square kilometres of the northeastern corner of Australia, and its population is approximately 3.5 million. Queensland is crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn through Rockhampton and Longreach. Dubbed Australia’s Sunshine State as well as the Smart State, Queensland offers a wide range of holidaying attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, world-class beaches, sun-baked islands, and green rainforests.

Queensland offers many natural resources for manufacturing and export. Queensland is the world’s largest exporter of seaborne coal.

Queensland has outstanding resources of high quality coal, base metals, light metals, phosphate rock and oil shale and significant resources of many other metallic and industrial minerals as well as oil and gas. Also there are large mineral resources of copper, lead, silver, zinc, bauxite, phosphate rock magnesite, silica sand and coal seam gas. Queensland is also an important producer of gold, mineral sands and bentonite. Queensland produces 77% of Australia's silver production, 54% of copper, 60% of lead, 47% of zinc, 22% of beneficiated bauxite, 12% of gold as well as the bulk of the nation’s magnesite, phosphate rock and silica sand.

Links:
Tourism Queensland
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/
http://www.australianexplorer.com/queensland.htm
http://www.qld.gov.au/

About Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is situated at the southeastern corner of the state, is the third largest city in Australia with a population of about 1.6 million. Brisbane is a river city, although close to the coast. It is a friendly, but cosmopolitan city with a laid-back attitude to life, good street cafe scene, world-class entertainment and cultural facilities and a lively nightlife.

The central business district features a number of public parks and squares, the heart of the city being the two-block Queen Street Mall, a pedestrian shopping precinct. The city centre is connected by bridge or cross-river ferry to South Brisbane and the Cultural Centre, which features the Performing Arts Complex, with its four major performance spaces, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Museum. It is also the stopping off point for the Southbank Parklands: 16 hectares of parks, playgrounds, restaurants, and an artificial sandy beach (patrolled), all set in lush tropical gardens.

Brisbane is Australia’s gateway to Asia, Europe, America and the Middle East. Its prime location, unique lifestyle, low cost, proactive attitude and commitment to business development are reasons why Brisbane is becoming a dynamic new centre for business.

Links:

Brisbane City Life
http://www.australianexplorer.com/brisbane_information.htm
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
Brisbane Office of Economic Development