Australia - a snapshot
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of more than 22 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 its indigenous peoples and migrants from some 200 countries.
Australia has 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world. Australia is committed to conserving its unique environment and has a range of protection procedures in place, including World Heritage listings, national parks and sanctuaries.
Australia has one of the most resilient, high growth economies in the world. It has an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector. It has made a significant investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport.
Australia's workforce of approximately 10 million is highly trained. Many senior managers and technical staff have international experience, while almost half of Australia's workforce has a university, trade or diploma qualification.
In a globalised economy, language skills are a key workforce advantage. Although Australia is an English-speaking country, more than 5 million of its people speak a second language. Australia offers the familiarity of a Western business culture with a workforce capable of operating in both Asian and Western business environments, since Australia has the widest range of native Asian language skills in the region.
A strong economy
Australia has one of the world's most open and innovative economies. Australia's stable economic, political and social environment has led to increased foreign investment in recent years. Since 1990, Australia's real economy has grown by an average of around 3.3 per cent a year. Australia's GDP in 2006-07 (in value terms) was just over $1 trillion, making it the world's 13th largest economy overall and the 10th largest industrialised economy.
As a result of major diversification of Australia's export base, Australia is now not only a commodity exporter; it also has sophisticated manufacturing and service industries. The value of Australia's exports in goods and services reached $254 billion in 2009-10. Major export markets are China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, and the United States.
A recent OECD study suggests that Australia is one of the six fastest-growing new economy traders. Australia is strong in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and innovation. Australian investment in ICT as a percentage of gross domestic products (GDP) is the third highest among OECD countries. The emergence of e-commerce is projected to add 2.7 per cent to Australian GDP growth over the next ten years.
A culturally diverse
society
Australia is a tolerant and inclusive society-a nation built by people from many different backgrounds. Vietnam, China, Greece and the United Kingdom are among the main countries from which Australians have migrated. Cultural diversity has become a touchstone of Australia's national identity.
One example of this is the growth of Islam in Australia. Today, Muslims form an increasingly important part of Australia's diverse, modern society, with the 2006 Census recording a total of more than 340,000 Australian Muslims. Australia accepts and respects the right of all Australians to express and share their individual cultural heritage within an overriding commitment to Australia's democratic foundations and to English as the national language.
A vibrant scene for
culture and the arts
Australia's contemporary arts are as unique and diverse as the society and continent they come from. They reflect an ancient landscape that is home to both the world's oldest continuous cultural traditions and a rich mix of migrant cultures.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike respond to the imaginative challenges Australia presents in different ways and have developed new modes of expression that have brought Australia's art and culture international attention.
A proud record of delivering education
Australia's system of education is of the highest standard and enjoys international recognition. School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia, contributing to an adult literacy rate of 99 per cent.
Australia is also one of the world's leading providers of education and training to international students, including English language training. More than 400 000 students from around 200 countries receive an Australian education each year.
A strong commitment to science and technology
Australia is committed to establishing a culture of innovation to make the best use of national and international information networks, encourage creativity in all forms of research, promote collaboration between university researchers and industry, and disseminate the outcomes of research to the wider community. Of the 10 Nobel prizes awarded to Australians since 1915, nine were in the field of science.
Australia is both well positioned and well resourced to make a difference in the global innovation race. Australian innovations are world-renowned, and range from medical breakthroughs such as the bionic ear and revolutionary flu treatments through to the world's first nano machine, contactless smartcards, and the orbital engine.
A great place to visit
Australia's spectacular natural environment, multicultural communities, food and wine, the friendliness of its people, combined with its weather and lifestyle place it amongst the world's most popular tourist destinations. These qualities also make it one of the best places in the world to live and conduct business.
Tourism is one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing industries. The number of short-term visitors to Australia grew from 4.3 million in 1997 to a record 5.6 million in 2007.
Key facts
l Australia is one of the world's oldest landmasses and has been populated by human beings for an estimated 60,000 years
l In 2009, Australia's population passed 22 million people
l In over 60 years of planned migration, Australia has welcomed more than 6.5 million migrants from over 200 countries, including more than 660 000 refugees
l More than five million Australians speak a second language
l Since 1990, Australia's economy has grown by an average of 3.3 per cent a year with 17 consecutive years of growth
l In 2007, Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) was around $1 trillion in value terms, making it the world's 13th largest economy overall and the 10th largest industrialised economy
l Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent
l Australia has 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world.
Australia has 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world. Australia is committed to conserving its unique environment and has a range of protection procedures in place, including World Heritage listings, national parks and sanctuaries.
Australia has one of the most resilient, high growth economies in the world. It has an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector. It has made a significant investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport.
Australia's workforce of approximately 10 million is highly trained. Many senior managers and technical staff have international experience, while almost half of Australia's workforce has a university, trade or diploma qualification.
In a globalised economy, language skills are a key workforce advantage. Although Australia is an English-speaking country, more than 5 million of its people speak a second language. Australia offers the familiarity of a Western business culture with a workforce capable of operating in both Asian and Western business environments, since Australia has the widest range of native Asian language skills in the region.
A strong economy
Australia has one of the world's most open and innovative economies. Australia's stable economic, political and social environment has led to increased foreign investment in recent years. Since 1990, Australia's real economy has grown by an average of around 3.3 per cent a year. Australia's GDP in 2006-07 (in value terms) was just over $1 trillion, making it the world's 13th largest economy overall and the 10th largest industrialised economy.
As a result of major diversification of Australia's export base, Australia is now not only a commodity exporter; it also has sophisticated manufacturing and service industries. The value of Australia's exports in goods and services reached $254 billion in 2009-10. Major export markets are China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, and the United States.
A recent OECD study suggests that Australia is one of the six fastest-growing new economy traders. Australia is strong in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and innovation. Australian investment in ICT as a percentage of gross domestic products (GDP) is the third highest among OECD countries. The emergence of e-commerce is projected to add 2.7 per cent to Australian GDP growth over the next ten years.
A culturally diverse
society
Australia is a tolerant and inclusive society-a nation built by people from many different backgrounds. Vietnam, China, Greece and the United Kingdom are among the main countries from which Australians have migrated. Cultural diversity has become a touchstone of Australia's national identity.
One example of this is the growth of Islam in Australia. Today, Muslims form an increasingly important part of Australia's diverse, modern society, with the 2006 Census recording a total of more than 340,000 Australian Muslims. Australia accepts and respects the right of all Australians to express and share their individual cultural heritage within an overriding commitment to Australia's democratic foundations and to English as the national language.
A vibrant scene for
culture and the arts
Australia's contemporary arts are as unique and diverse as the society and continent they come from. They reflect an ancient landscape that is home to both the world's oldest continuous cultural traditions and a rich mix of migrant cultures.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike respond to the imaginative challenges Australia presents in different ways and have developed new modes of expression that have brought Australia's art and culture international attention.
A proud record of delivering education
Australia's system of education is of the highest standard and enjoys international recognition. School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia, contributing to an adult literacy rate of 99 per cent.
Australia is also one of the world's leading providers of education and training to international students, including English language training. More than 400 000 students from around 200 countries receive an Australian education each year.
A strong commitment to science and technology
Australia is committed to establishing a culture of innovation to make the best use of national and international information networks, encourage creativity in all forms of research, promote collaboration between university researchers and industry, and disseminate the outcomes of research to the wider community. Of the 10 Nobel prizes awarded to Australians since 1915, nine were in the field of science.
Australia is both well positioned and well resourced to make a difference in the global innovation race. Australian innovations are world-renowned, and range from medical breakthroughs such as the bionic ear and revolutionary flu treatments through to the world's first nano machine, contactless smartcards, and the orbital engine.
A great place to visit
Australia's spectacular natural environment, multicultural communities, food and wine, the friendliness of its people, combined with its weather and lifestyle place it amongst the world's most popular tourist destinations. These qualities also make it one of the best places in the world to live and conduct business.
Tourism is one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing industries. The number of short-term visitors to Australia grew from 4.3 million in 1997 to a record 5.6 million in 2007.
Key facts
l Australia is one of the world's oldest landmasses and has been populated by human beings for an estimated 60,000 years
l In 2009, Australia's population passed 22 million people
l In over 60 years of planned migration, Australia has welcomed more than 6.5 million migrants from over 200 countries, including more than 660 000 refugees
l More than five million Australians speak a second language
l Since 1990, Australia's economy has grown by an average of 3.3 per cent a year with 17 consecutive years of growth
l In 2007, Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) was around $1 trillion in value terms, making it the world's 13th largest economy overall and the 10th largest industrialised economy
l Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent
l Australia has 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world.