About Australia

 

Australia is a stable, democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy.  With a population of 21.1 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and is the sixth-largest country in the world in land area.  Australia’s multicultural society includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants from some 200 countries.

Economy

Australia has one of the strongest economies in the world – as it enters its 17th year of uninterrupted growth, its economy continues to be competitive, open, vibrant and flexible.  Australia’s economy is based on service industries, manufacturing, agriculture and resources. 

Australia has been ranked the most resilient economy in the world for five of the past six years (IMDWCY 2007).  For the past decade, the country’s real GDP has grown by an average of around 4.1 per cent a year.

States and Territories

Australia consists of six states and two territories. Each state and territory has its own parliament, flag and floral emblem. Australia became a federated nation after the 
union of the six colonies on 1 January 1901.

People, Culture, Lifestyle

Australians are a unique mix of people.  Indigenous Australians have inhabited Australia for an estimated 60,000 years.  The remainder of Australia’s population are settlers, or descendants of settlers, who have arrived during the past two centuries.

Culture and linguistic diversity was a feature of Australian life before European settlement.  It remains a feature of modern Australian society, and continues to give Australia distinct social, cultural and business advantages.

Australia’s official language is English.  However, about 20 percent of the population speak another language at home.

A Unique Environment

The Australian continent is a land like no other.  Its animals, plants and landscapes have evolved over millennia, and there are about a million different natural species in Australia.  More than 80 percent of the country’s flowering plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia, along with most of the fish and almost half the birds.

An Innovative Nation

Australia’s reputation for innovative ideas and vision is reflected in the international success Australia has achieved in many areas including science, telecommunications, education and sport. Notable achievements include: the world’s first influenza drug, the bionic ear, penicillin and the vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV).