Slide 1:These are some of the most popular images of Australia… Skip Intro


Slide 2:Sophisticated... Technologically advanced… Scientifically advanced But today’s Australia is much more… Impressive record of innovation… Strong new economy… IT credentials Highly trained… culturally diverse and multi-lingual workforce Australia is a society built on parliamentary democracy, rule of law and a market economy. Skip Intro


Government :Government Australia has one of the most stable democratic systems of Government in the world Australia was one of the first countries in the world to introduce women’s suffrage All citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote Voting is compulsory In addition to the Commonwealth (Federal) Government, each State and Territory has its own government The maximum term for the Commonwealth Government is 3 years Australia is a constitutional monarchy with a written constitution


Multicultural Australia :Multicultural Australia Australia’s multicultural society is a source of competitive advantage, cultural enrichment and social stability The first Australians arrived over 40 000 years ago from Java The first European settlers arrived in 1788 In 2001, 24% of the Australian population was born overseas In 1999 – 2000, 24% of Australia’s labour force of 9.6 million were born overseas Largest source countries of Australians born overseas: United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Vietnam, People’s Republic of China 15% of Australians speak languages other than English at home There are over 800 000 Asian language speakers in Australia


Indigenous Australians :Indigenous Australians Indigenous Australians have lived in Australia for more than 40 000 years Today 352 000 people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent live in Australia They live in every State and Territory of Australia, in both urban and remote areas They are making their mark in many fields, including academia, literature, sport, the arts, business and the professions The Australian Government is committed to improving understanding between Indigenous Australians and the wider community


Economy :Economy Australia has had one of the strongest economies in the world in recent years, growing at an average annual rate of over 4% in the 5 years to 2000 - 01 GDP – A$670 billion (US$341 billion) Low inflation – 2.26% compound average in 1990s Low interest rates – Since 1996, lowest since 1960s Strong productivity – Ranked 11th in world for overall productivity Falling unemployment – 6.5% in 2001 Skilled and multicultural, flexible labour market


Trade and Investment :Trade and Investment In 2001-02, Australia’s total exports were valued at $A152 billion Merchandise exports were valued at $A121 billion Services exports were valued at $A31 billion Major exports include: tourism, coal, transportation services, crude petroleum, iron ore Largest export markets: Japan, United States, Republic of Korea, China The Australian Government and its agencies were rated among the most efficient in the Asia Pacific region at seeking and developing investment projects (Political and Economic Risk Consultancy PERC) Foreign investment in Australia at June 2002 totaled $845 billion Australian investments abroad as at June 2002 totaled $459 billion


Industry and Resources :Industry and Resources The minerals and energy resources sector is Australia’s largest export industry In 2001, Australia was the world’s top producer of six mineral resources—bauxite, alumina, lead, ilmenite, rutile and zircon—and among the top five in nine others No other country exports such a range of commodities Australia produces some of the highest quality grains, beef, wool and wine in the world Australian fisheries export a wide variety of products from clean waters which span a range of climates Australian companies develop about 60% of the world’s mining software and provide solutions for transportation, utilities, defence and government Research and training are encouraged in Australia to ensure innovation in industry


Food, Wine & Fashion :Food, Wine & Fashion Australia is one of the most exciting ‘food destinations’ in the world (according to Le Cordon Bleu) Australia’s fresh, clean produce is prepared with influences from around the world to create a distinctive, exuberant style of cooking Australia is the world’s fourth largest wine exporter (behind France, Italy and Spain) Australian wines consistently win international awards Australia’s fashion industry has an international reputation as a vibrant, dynamic balance of brave and chic Well known Australian fashion designers and labels include Akira Isogawa, Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Bare, Collette Dinnigan, Scanlan & Theodore, Alannah Hill, Sample


Innovative Australia :Innovative Australia Australia has - strong record of scientific and technological innovation - a highly regarded telecommunications network - proximity to growing markets - secure internet infrastructure - skilled, multicultural and multilingual workforce Australia is 2nd only to the US in terms of ‘e-readiness’ according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Australian companies develop about 60 per cent of the world's mining software


Education :Education Australia ranks 3rd in the English-speaking world as an international student destination There is a wide variety of English language training available in Australia Participation rates and secondary school completion rates for Australian students are among the highest in the world School education in Australia is compulsory from the ages of 5 until 15 2 main types of Tertiary education - Vocational Education Training (VET) - Higher Education Institutions (University, TAFE)


Defence :Defence Key aims of Australia’s current defence policy: Develop and maintain the capacity to defend Australia from armed attack Promote regional and global security environments that discourage aggression Members of Australia’s Defence Force has been involved in peacekeeping in: Zimbabwe, the Middle East, Iran, Namibia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Cambodia, Rwanda, Somalia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, East Timor and elsewhere


Arts and Culture :Arts and Culture Australia’s contemporary arts are as unique and diverse as the society and continent they come from The arts and cultural sector generates 2.5% of GDP The visual and performing arts, including music, theatre and dance have a strong following in Australia Australian films are internationally renowned - Films made in Australia include Moulin Rouge, Matrix, Mission Impossible II, Chopper, Babe, Crocodile Dundee


Sport :Sport Australia has consistently had world champions in most sports Australia won 58 medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and gained first place in the Paralympics with a total of 149 medals The role that science plays in sport is now a major factor in Australia’s sporting success The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) - 26 sports, over 75 coaches, 600 athletes The AIS has 2 international training centres: - The Oceania Olympic Training Centre (OOTC) 50 athletes a year from 12 Oceanic nations - The African Olympic Training Centre (AOTC) 2 athletes a year from each of 11 African nations


Tourism :Tourism Australia welcomes overseas visitors In 2001-02 international visitors to Australia totalled 4.9 million Tourism is one of Australia’s largest industries. Inbound tourism brought $17.1 billion to Australia in 2001-02 Important emerging markets include China, the Middle East, South America and India Australian visas are issued by: - Australian government missions - electronic travel authority (ETA) system


Environment :Environment Australia is committed to developing an effective global framework to address climate change. Australia - is the largest island continent on earth - is the driest continent on earth - owns the third largest ocean territory in the world - has 16 World Heritage listed sites Australia is one of only 17 ‘mega-diverse’ countries in the world


Flora and Fauna :Flora and Fauna Australia has more than one million species of animals and plants. Due to Australia’s isolation, many of these are not found anywhere else in the world Australia has - Over 60 different species of kangaroos and their close relatives - 770 species of reptile, including 520 lizard species - 750 species of birds - Over 268 species of mammals, including100 species of marsupials. - More endemic flowering plants than anywhere else in the world - 20 000 species of vascular plants, 17 000 of which are found only in Australia Australia maintains a National Reserves System which plays an important role in biodiversity protection.


Health :Health The Australian Government gives all citizens access to a high standard of universal health care through a national health care system called Medicare It is financed largely by general taxation revenue Over 8% of GDP is spent on health Australia is 2nd to Japan in life expectancy rankings according to the World Health Organisation


Australia :Australia 8 States and Territories Capital of Australia Canberra Language English Currency Australian Dollar (A$) Land area 7.69 million square km


Sydney :Sydney Capital of New South Wales Australia’s biggest city Population - 4 million


Canberra :Canberra Canberra is the capital of Australia Located in the Australian Capital Territory Population – 313,000


Melbourne :Melbourne Capital of Victoria Melbourne is home to over 140 ethnic groups Population – 3.5 million


Adelaide :Adelaide Capital of South Australia Adelaide has more restaurants per head of population than any other Australian city Population - 1.1 million


Perth :Perth Capital of Western Australia Population – 1.4 million Western Australia, with an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, covers one third of the continent and is one of the largest states in the world


Darwin :Darwin Capital of the Northern Territory Most northerly capital city of Australia Population – 77 000


Hobart :Hobart Capital of Tasmania Most southerly capital city of Australia Population – 194 000


Brisbane :Brisbane Capital of Queensland Brisbane region is the fastest growing region in Australia Population – 1.6 million


Regions :Regions Overview of Australia Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Darwin Hobart Melbourne Perth Sydney


Page Index :Page Index Arts & Culture - www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au Defence - www.defence.gov.au Economy - www.axiss.com.au Education - www.studyinaustralia.gov.au Environment - www.greenhouse.gov.au Flora & Fauna - www.ea.gov.au Food, Wine & Fashion - www.affa.gov.au Government - www.fed.gov.au Health - www.aihw.gov.au Indigenous Australians - www.atsia.gov.au Industry & Resources - www.industry.gov.au Innovative Australia - backingaus.innovation.gov.au Multicultural Australia - www.immi.gov.au Sport - www.ausport.gov.au Tourism - www.australia.com Trade & Investment - www.investaustralia.gov.au