Australia is categorised as a high-middle income country. Its unemployment rate has been fairly steady at around 6% over the past few years. Approximately 38% of Australians work in professional or technical jobs. Around 42% of the workforce has a university degree, diploma or trade qualification. Australia's higher education enrolment rate, at around 80%, is one of the highest in the world-third behind only Canada and the United States.

According various research and servey on cost of living versus the quality of living, Australia received the highest rating. The cost of living in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth is among the lowest of the 144 cities in the world. Sydney is the only Australian city amongst the worldwide 100 most expensive cities. 

• Area: 7.7 million sq. km.
• Cities: Canberra (Capital pop. 323,000),  Sydney (4.2 million),  Melbourne (3.6 million), Brisbane (1.7 million), Perth (1.4 million).
• Terrain: Varied, but generally low-lying.
• Climate: Relatively dry, ranging from temperate in the south to tropical in the north.
• Area: 7.7 million sq. km.

• Nationality:     Australian
• Population:     (2005): 20.2 million.
• Annual population growth rate: 1.1%.
• Ethnic groups: European 92%, Asian 6%, Aboriginal 2%.
• Religions (2001):  Approximately:  Christian  75%,  Others e.g. Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu 25%.
• Languages:   English.
• Education:    Years compulsory-to age 15 in all states except Tasmania, where it is 16. Literacy--85%.
• Health: Infant mortality rate- 5/1,000. Life expectancy--males 78 yrs., females 83 yrs.
• Work force (10.1 million): Agriculture--4%; mining, manufacturing, construction, and utilities--21%; services--70%; public administration and defense--5%.
• Nationality:  Australian

• Type:   Democratic, Federal-State System recognizing British monarch as sovereign.
• Constitution: July 9, 1900.
• Independence (federation):  January 1, 1901.
• Type:  Democratic, Federal-State System recognizing British monarch as sovereign.

• GDP: (2004) $587.3 billion.
• Inflation rate: (2004) 2.3% p.a.Trade: Exports ($112.6 billion, 2004)--coal, iron ore, non-monetary gold, crude petroleum and bovine meat. Major markets--Japan, U.S. ($10.3 billion), China, New Zealand, South Korea.
• Imports ($148.1 billion, 2004)--passenger motor vehicles, crude petroleum, computers, medicaments and telecommunications equipment. Major suppliers--U.S. ($19.8 billion), China, Japan, Germany, and Singapore.
• GDP (2004):  $587.3 billion (Source: ABS)

[Link Resources] [Disclaimer] [Privacy Policy] [Code of Conduct] [Contact Us]
© 1994-2006 • The Integrated Australian Immigration Servies • www.entryaustralia.com •
All rights reserved.