Australia
Australia gained independence from the United Kingdom in January 1901. The
Queen is Australia’s head of State and is represented by the Governor-General.
Australia's system of government is a democratic federal system, with a
constitutional monarchy. Australia follows the Westminster system with state and
federal government. Elections in Australia take place generally every four years
and Australian citizens vote for the members in their electorate represented by
political parties. Voting is conducted through a preferential system and is
compulsory. The party that receives the majority of votes forms the
Government.
Australia is a safe country with a population of around 24 million, mostly
residing in major cities with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane being the most
highly populated. The original inhabitants of Australia are Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, however today Australia’s population is diverse,
including a variety of cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions. Australia
has an open economy and is known for its agriculture, mining and energy
industries. Australia’s climate varies greatly due to its large geographical
size, having cooler weather in Southern areas and warmer weather in the North.
Geographical information
Australia is the only country
that is also a continent. It is bordered to the
east by the Pacific Ocean, to the west by the Indian Ocean, to the south by the
Arctic Sea, and to north by the Arafura Sea, which separates it from the islands
of Indonesia. The capital city of Australia is Canberra. Other major cities
include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and the
Gold Coast.
Culture and Heritage
English is the official language of Australia, as Australia has a
Western culture of British origins, however it is enriched by the
uniqueness of the Australian continent’s geography and the diversified
contribution of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, and multiple ethnicities
and backgrounds.
Economy and Investment
The Australian economy is among the world’s largest 20 economies (GDP=1.62
trillion Dollars in 2015). Australia is ranked as the world’s 21st largest
exporter and the 22nd largest importer.
For further information regarding doing business with Australia
see the following link; HERE
Study in Australia
Australia offers internationally recognised qualifications with a high
standard of teaching and education. Over 440, 000 students studied and lived in
Australia in 2016, as education is Australia’s largest services export.
Currency Conversion
Australian currency is the Australian dollar. For current conversion rates
see the following link;
HERE