Moving to Australia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

26,768,598

Population Growth Rate

1.13%

Population Distribution

• population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast
• a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west
• of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population
• the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population

Urban Population

• population: 86.6% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change
• note: data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island

Population in Major Urban Areas

5.235 million Melbourne, 5.121 million Sydney, 2.505 million Brisbane, 2.118 million Perth, 1.367 million Adelaide, 472,000 CANBERRA (capital)

Population: Male/Female

• male: 13,305,110
• female: 13,463,488

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Age Structure

• years: 18.3% (male 2,526,772/female 2,369,425) 15-64
• years: 64.7% (male 8,688,023/female 8,640,671) 65 years and
• over: 17% (male 2,090,315/female 2,453,392)

Median Age

• total: 38.1 years
• male: 36.9 years
• female: 39.2 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

12

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

6.8

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.73

Gross reproduction rate

1

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

66.9%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

66.9%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

55.9%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

28.7

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.7

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.85 male(s)/female total
• population: 0.99 male(s)/female

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

5.9

Ethnic Groups

English 33%, Australian 29.9%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 8.6%, Chinese 5.5%, Italian 4.4%, German 4%, Indian 3.1%, Australian Aboriginal 2.9%, Greek 1.7%, unspecified 4.7%

Language Note

English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7%

Nationality Noun

• noun: Australian(s)
• adjective: Australian

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.1%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• total: 21 years
• male: 20 years
• female: 22 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 83.5 years
• male: 81.3 years
• female: 85.7 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

3

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

4.13

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

10.7%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29%

Tobacco Use

• total: 13.6%
• male: 15.6%
• female: 11.5%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 9.51 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 3.71 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 3.67 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 1.32 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 100% of population
• rural: 100% of population
• total: 100% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

improved: 100% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

0.2%

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Economic Overview

Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services.

The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic.

Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums.

Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand.

Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and India.

Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food.

Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources.

A series of major investments, such as the US $40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas Project, will significantly expand the resources sector.

For nearly two decades up till 2017, Australia had benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade.

As export prices increased faster than import prices, the economy experienced continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system.

Australia entered 2018 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities.

Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China is growing at a slower pace and sharp drops in export prices have impacted growth.

Industries

Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$48,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.9%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$1,250,900,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$48,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.9%

GDP - official exchange rate

$1,257,000,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 58.5% Government
• Consumption: 18.7% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 24.3% Investment in
• Inventories: 0% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 19.4% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -20.9%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

3.6%

GDP by Sector- Industry

28.2%

GDP by Sector- services

68.2%

Industrial Growth Rate

2%

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Inflation Rate

1.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

1.352

Currency Name and Code

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5.1%

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Labor Force

12,630,000

Unemployment Rate

5.8%

Major Industries

Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Agriculture Products

Wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

3.6%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

21.1%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

75.3%

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Annual Budget

$420,500,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

46.1%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-2.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

33.5%

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Full Country Name

Commonwealth of Australia

Country Name

Australia

Etymology- history of name

the name Australia derives from the Latin "australis" meaning "southern"; the Australian landmass was long referred to as "Terra Australis" or the Southern Land

Independence

1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)

National Holiday

Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

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Government Type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Constitution

• history: approved in a series of referenda from 1898 through 1900 and became law 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
• amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires approval of a referendum bill by absolute majority vote in both houses of Parliament, approval in a referendum by a majority of voters in at least four states and in the territories, and Royal Assent; proposals that would reduce a state’s representation in either house or change a state’s boundaries require that state’s approval prior to Royal Assent; amended several times, last in 1977

Legal System:

common law system based on the English model

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Samantha (Sam) MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022)
• cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general election/appointment
• process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of: Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) House of Representatives (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years)
• Elections: - Senate - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held in May 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held in May 2025)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - Liberal/National Coalition 40.7%, ALP 34.2%, Greens 14.5%, Pauline Hansen's One Nation 2.6%, Jacqui Lambee Network 2.6%, United Australia Party 1.3%, independent 3.9%; seats by party/coalition - Liberal/National Coalition 31, ALP 26, Australian Greens 11, Pauline Hansen's One Nation 2, Jacqui Lambee Network 2, United Australia Party 1, independent 3;
• Composition: 33 men, 43 women; percentage of women 56.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - ALP 50.9%, Coalition 36.4%, 7.9%, 2.6%, others less than 1%; seats by party/coalition - ALP 77, Coalition 55, independent 12, Greens 4, Katter's 1, Center Alliance 1; composition as of January 2024 - 93 men, 57 women; percentage of women 38% (
• Note: one seat will be filled after a by-election on 2 March 2024)

Judicial Branch:

• office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
• subordinate courts: subordinate
• courts: at the federal
• level: Federal Court; Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; at the state and territory
• level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island

Regions or States:

• Summary: 6 states
• and 2 territories* Australian Capital Territory*
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory*
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Australian Greens Party or The Greens [Adam BANDT]
• Australian Labor Party or ALP [Anthony ALBANESE]
• Centre Alliance (formerly known as the Nick Xenophon Team or NXT) [none]
• Jacqui Lambie Network or JLN [Jacqui LAMBIE]
• Katter's Australian Party [Robbie KATTER]
• Liberal Party of Australia [Peter DUTTON]
• The Nationals [David LITTLEPROUD]
• One Nation or ONP [Pauline HANSON]
• United Australia Party [Clive PALMER]
• Note: the Labor Party is Australia’s oldest political party, established federally in 1901; the present Liberal Party was formed in 1944; the Country Party was formed in 1920, renamed the National Country Party in 1975, the National Party of Australia in 1982, and since 2003 has been known as the Nationals; since the general election of 1949, the Liberal Party and the Nationals (under various names) when forming government have done so as a coalition

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 4 years

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Capital Name

Canberra

Capital - geographic coordinate

35 16 S, 149 08 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+10 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Australia has four time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+10:30)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB
• ANZUS
• APEC
• ARF
• ASEAN (dialogue partner)
• Australia Group
• BIS
• CD
• CP
• EAS
• EBRD
• EITI (implementing country)
• FAO
• FATF
• G-20
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IEA
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NEA
• NSG
• OECD
• OPCW
• OSCE (partner)
• Pacific Alliance (observer)
• Paris Club
• PCA
• PIF
• SAARC (observer)
• Quad
• SICA (observer)
• Sparteca
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNMISS
• UNMIT
• UNRWA
• UNTSO
• UNWTO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO
• ZC

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Caroline KENNEDY (since 25 July 2022)
• Embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory 2600
• Mailing Address: 7800 Canberra Place, Washington DC 20512-7800
• Telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600
• FAX: [61] (02) 9373-9184
• Email: AskEmbassyCanberra@state.gov
• Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
• Consulate(s) General: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Kevin Michael RUDD (since 19 April 2023)
• Chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
• FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
• Email: info.us@dfat.gov.au
• Website: https://usa.embassy.gov.au/
• Consulate(s) General: Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Total Area

2,988,885 Square Miles 7,741,220 Square Kilometers

Land Area

2,966,136 Square Miles 7,682,300 Square Kilometers

Water Area

22,749 Square Miles 58,920 Square Kilometers

Coastline

16,007 Miles 25,760 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Highest Point

2,229 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

Lowest Point

-15 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Lake Eyre -15 m

Natural Resources

Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum

Irrigated Land

9,830 Square Miles 25,460 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+10 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Australia has four time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+10:30)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April

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Climate

Australia is a large, comparatively dry, and sparsely inhabited continent, almost as large as the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

Australia, the only continent that consists of a single nation, is also the only inhabited continent that is isolated from all others (total coastline exceeds 22,000 miles).

The average elevation is about 985 feet, which makes it the flattest continent on earth.

This is among the prime reasons for sparse annual rainfall--16.5 inches, which is less than two-thirds of the world average (26 inches).

Further, the rain falls mainly on coastal regions: forty percent of the surface gets less than 10 inches per year, and annual evaporation exceeds annual rainfall on about three-quarters of the land.

Overall runoff is less than half that of the Mississippi basin; Australia has no navigable rivers of any commercial significance.

In general, the country is warmer than the U.S.

(the northern one-third is in the Tropics, the rest in the Temperate Zone).

Temperature extremes are much less pronounced.

Sydney's average daytime temperature in the coldest month (July) is 59°F; in the warmest month (January), 81°F.

Terrain

Mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Location

Oceania, the continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Total Area

2,988,885 Square Miles 7,741,220 Square Kilometers

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Environment - Current Issues

• Soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices
• soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water
• desertification
• clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species
• the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site
• limited natural fresh water resources

Environment - International Agreements

Party To: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$184,300,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$203,100,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery, and transport equipment

Major Imports

Machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts

crude oil and petroleum products

Top Export Partners

China 32.2%, Japan 15.9%, South Korea 7.1%, United States 5.4%, India 4.2%

Top Import Partners

China 23%, United States 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 5.1%, Germany 4.6%

Export Partners

China 32.2%, Japan 15.9%, South Korea 7.1%, United States 5.4%, India 4.2%

Import Partners

China 23%, United States 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 5.1%, Germany 4.6%

Country Description

Australia is a highly developed, stable democracy with a federal-state system. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Safety & Security

Australia has an alert system for possible terrorist attacks.

The threat levels range from “low” to “high.” The Australian Attorney General's Office website has up-to-date information regarding the current terrorism threat level.

Depending on the alert, you should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase your security awareness.

Travelers may also contact the Australian National Security Hotline at 61-1-800-123-400.

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Crime

Although U.S citizens are not specifically targeted for crime, travelers should be aware that robberies, burglaries, assault, and auto theft are common in Australia’s larger cities.

Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, which also may be associated with drug trafficking, gang activities, and drug or alcohol usage.

Foreign visitors in popular tourist areas are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves.

Be careful when consuming alcohol with unfamiliar people, as drink spiking can occur; appropriate security precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Australia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

You may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, such as inside certain areas of Australian airports, near prisons, and at military bases.

If you break local laws, your U.S. passport won’t help.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

In Australia, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

If you violate Australian laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Australia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Australia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Please be aware that all objectionable material is subject to declaration and inspection and may be illegal in Australia.

Objectionable material includes child pornography, bestiality, explicit sexual violence, and graphic degradation, as well as terrorism-related material and anything providing instruction in or encouraging drug use, crime, or violence.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Languages English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7%

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Medical Facilities

Excellent medical care is available in Australia.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Most doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash/credit card payments for health services.

We recommend travel insurance.

Traffic Safety

While in Australia, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning driving in Australia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic operates on the left side of the road, and all vehicles use right-hand drive.

Please use caution when crossing streets and when driving.

When crossing roads on foot, make sure you look carefully in all directions.

Wearing a seat belt is mandatory, and fines apply for not wearing them.

Speed limits and laws regarding driving while intoxicated are rigorously enforced, and random breath testing of a driver's blood alcohol limit is a common occurrence.

Roads and streets are frequently narrower and less graded than U.S. highways.

Outside major metropolitan areas, most highways are two-lane roads with significant distances between destinations.

Speed limits vary throughout Australia and are measured in kilometers, not miles.

Be aware that speed cameras are everywhere and you will be ticketed for driving over the speed limit.

When driving in Australia, exercise caution while passing or merging with adjacent traffic.

If driving in rural areas, be cautious of free-roaming animals, such as kangaroos, and "road-trains" (several semi-truck trailers connected together).

Passing road trains is dangerous, and you should pull over to allow on-coming road trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped.

A number of fatalities have occurred in the Northern Territory where vehicles driven at high rates of speed have skidded and overturned after hitting loose gravel on the shoulder of the road.

If you have no experience with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you should exercise common sense when driving in the Australian outback.

Texting or holding your phone while driving is against the law, but you can use a hands-free system to communicate while driving.

For specific information concerning Australian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, mandatory insurance, and the rental and operation of motor vehicles in Australia, visit the Australian Tourist Commission website.

Each state/territory has different rules about using a foreign driver’s license and the conditions under which a visitor might have to get an international driver’s license.

In some cases, you can apply for a driver’s license from the state in Australia where you intend to remain for the duration of your stay in Australia.

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Airports - total

480

Airports with Paved Runways

349

Heliports

1

Railways

23,889 Miles 38,445 Kilometers

Roadways- total

511,523 Miles 823,217 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

221,421 Miles 356,343 Kilometers

Waterways

1,243 Miles 2,000 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville

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Pipelines: Condensate

396 Miles 637 Kilometers

Pipelines: Gas

18,675 Miles 30,054 Kilometers

Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

149 Miles 240 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

2,243 Miles 3,609 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil/Gas/Water

68 Miles 110 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

45 Miles 72 Kilometers

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Telephones

9,020,000

Cell Phones

21,260,000

Internet Users

11,240,000

Internet Country Code

.au

Internet Hosts

13,361,000

Broadcast Media

• Note: the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster
• Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages
• several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible
• cable and satellite systems are available

Telephone System

• Assessment: excellent domestic and international service
• Domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones
• International: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

222,000,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

239,900,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

33,390,000,000

Natural Gas Exports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

30,270,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

10,920,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

48,240,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

1,219,000,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,023,000

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

314,100

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

475,900

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

530,000

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,433,000,000

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Anthem History

In 1974 the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a national opinion poll of 60,000 and in 1977 a plebiscite for a national song was conducted.

On each occasion, Advance Australia Fair was the preferred option, and it was in consideration of such support that the Advance Australia Fair was proclaimed as the national anthem by the Governor-General on 19 April 1984.

It is usually the first and third verses that are sung.

Anthem Lyrics

(Note: Current anthem only uses 1st & 3rd verses when being sung.) 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!” When gallant Cook from Albion sail’d, To trace wide oceans o’er, True British courage bore him on, Till he landed on our shore.

Then here he raised Old England’s flag, The standard of the brave; With all her faults we love her still, “Britannia rules the wave!” 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!” While other nations of the globe Behold us from afar, We’ll rise to high renown and shine Like our glorious southern star; From England, Scotia, Erin’s Isle, Who come our lot to share, Let all combine with heart and hand to Advance Australia fair!

In joyful strains then let us sing, “Advance Australia fair!” Should foreign foe e’er sight our coast, Or dare a foot to land, We’ll rouse to arms like sires of yore To guard our native strand; Britannia then shall surely know, Beyond wide oceans roll, Her sons in fair Australia’s land Still keep a British soul.

In joyful strains then let us sing, “Advance Australia fair!”