About Australia

POPULATION: The population of Australia is approximately 21,000,000.

STATES/TERRITORIES & CAPITALS:
New South Wales, Sydney.
Victoria, Melbourne.
Queensland, Brisbane.
South Australia, Adelaide.
Western Australia, Perth.
Australian Capital Territory, Canberra.
Northern Territory, Darwin.

CLIMATE: Australia’s climate varies based on your geographical location within the continent. The North of Australia lies within the Tropic of Capricorn, and as such, has hot temperatures and high humidity, particularly during the wet season (December – February). In contrast to the Northern part of Australia, the Southern states do not experience the wet and dry season. Winter in the South can get quite cool, and in summer it can get very hot (but not humid).

EDUCATION: The Australian education system is regarded as one of the best in the world. Within Australia the public education system is well resourced and free for students to attend. As an alternative, there is also the private school system (Fee-paying) which encompasses both religious and grammar schools.

HEALTH: The Australian public health system is free for all Australians under the Medicare Scheme. Waiting lists to obtain elective surgery can be quite lengthy, to combat this the Australian government provides significant tax rebates for people that are in private health insurance schemes.

SPORT: Australians are passionate about sports. The national summer sport is cricket, and the national winter sports are Australian Rules Football, Rugby League and Rugby Union. Watching, discussing and participating in sport is part of everyday life in Australia. Other sports that are popular include: Netball, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, and Surfing.

MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Australia is a relatively young country and is a land of immigrants. About half of all Australians were either born in another country or have at least one parent born in another country. Australia is an open-minded culture and it is illegal to discriminate against anyone based on their nationality, race, sex or religion. The national language of Australia is English.