The land Down Under is a modern and dynamic country, with picture-perfect beaches, glorious weather, and some of the most amazing landscapes on the planet. This large island nation in the southern hemisphere boasts world-renowned attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock). Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, with its skilled migration program and top-notch education system, making it a top destination for skilled expatriates and international students from across the globe.
It takes about 4.5 hours to fly across the country from Perth to Brisbane
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. Most of its major cities are located in the southern part of the country and along the coast, where the climate is more temperate. More than one-third of the country is desert. Known for its incredible landscapes, Australia features lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and the Outback.
It snows in some regions of Australia
Despite its reputation for sunshine and beaches, it snows in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and rarely in South Australia and the Northern Territory as well. In fact, Australia's climate varies significantly due to the country's large size. Summer falls between December and February, while winter is June, July, and August. The country's states and territories all offer something unique, with their diverse landscapes and variable weather conditions. The far north and northeast coast have a tropical climate, with hot conditions prevailing throughout the year. The Top End is also known for its distinct wet and dry seasons. Due to its southern position, Tasmania has a significantly colder climate, experiencing snowfall during the winter months and into September. Perth on the west coast is known for its endless sunshine, while Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers. South Australia is usually the driest state in Australia, while Melburnians experience hot summers and brave freezing winters, with the possibility of experiencing four seasons in one day.
73% of Australia's population resides in its major cities
In December 2024, Australia's population exceeded 27.4 million. The sixth largest country in the world is comprised of eight states and territories: Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The most populated city is Sydney, with 5,557,200 people, closely followed by Melbourne, with 5,350,700. Brisbane was ranked in third position with a population of 2,780,100, followed by Perth with 2,384,400, Adelaide with 1,469,200, Canberra with 473,900, Hobart with 254,900, and Darwin with a population of 152,500.
Australia is a culturally diverse country, with residents from all corners of the globe now calling Australia home. According to the , 48% of Australians have a parent born overseas, and in 2023, more than 30% of the Australian population was born in another country. The reported that as of June 2024, the countries of birth with the largest populations in Australia were England, New Zealand, India, and China.
According to the 2021 Census, . A total of 812,728 people who identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin were recorded, with the majority residing in New South Wales, followed by Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. The census recorded 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken at home.
More than 300 languages are spoken in Australia (2021 Census data)
English is the official language of Australia, and 72% of the population only speaks English at home. The other most commonly spoken languages include Mandarin, Arabic, Italian, Vietnamese, and Cantonese. There are more than 250 Indigenous languages spoken, with approximately 800 dialects.
Iconic Aussie food spread, Vegemite, is an acquired taste — use sparingly at first!
Australia's Indigenous cultures are some of the oldest in the world. There are two distinct cultural groups comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, characterized by diverse languages, traditions, customs, and beliefs. Australia has a rich cultural tapestry, with waves of immigration over generations adding to the country's multicultural mix.
The land Down Under is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on the great outdoors. Australia's vibrant major cities are well-known for their cosmopolitan vibe, characterized by a rich cultural scene, ³¦²¹´Úé²õ, and a thriving foodie culture, all integral to daily life. Sport, music, and entertainment are all popular pastimes, with sport deeply embedded in Aussie culture.
And although they have a reputation for being easy-going, direct, and open, Aussies work hard. There is also a definite focus on finding a healthy work-life balance in Australia.
Aussies love a nickname, and before long, you'll probably have your own
The trick is to shorten the first name or surname and add an 'O,' an 'IE,' an 'A,' or a 'ZA'. So McDonald could become Macca, Christopher is Chrisso, and Howard becomes Howie or Howza.
Australians are known for being a friendly bunch, and social gatherings play a central role in the Australian way of life, whether you're catching up with family, good mates, or work colleagues. People address each other by their first names. It's also common for people to give each other nicknames, and Aussie' slang' is part of the everyday vocabulary.
Australians are big on being punctual, and they typically greet each other with a handshake, saving hugs and kisses for friends and family. Standard greetings include phrases like 'G'day,' 'Hi,' or 'How's it going?' Aussies are usually very welcoming, and a great way to make new friends is to find a shared interest and start up a conversation.
Building a new social network in a new town can be a struggle at first. But your workplace or your uni are a great place to start. Universities and colleges often have organized clubs that you can join, and many lifelong friendships start out in the workplace. If you have come to Australia with a young family, children's sport and school activities are an excellent way for both you and your children to make new friends. And search for your interests online. A quick Google search for your hobby/interest, combined with your location, will bring up many potential ways to meet new people. And having a shared interest — whether it be a sport, arts and crafts, or book club — will break the ice in no time!
If you become an Australian citizen, you can vote in elections and enjoy a democracy sausage (sausage in bread with tomato sauce) at the polling booth
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III of the United Kingdom as the Head of State. His representative in Australia is the Governor-General. Australia is a representative democracy, and all Australians aged 18 and above must vote. There are : Federal, State and Territory, and Local. Australia has two major political parties, the Labor Party and the Liberal Party, as well as other minor parties and independent politicians who contest federal, state, and territory elections.
The responsibilities of the Federal Government include foreign affairs, immigration, trade, defense, currency, social security, and industrial relations. The Federal Parliament is the decision-making body of the government, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Every three years, Australians head to the polls to vote for candidates to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The leader of the Federal Government is the Prime Minister, who is also the leader of the party with the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives.
Then there are the state and territory governments. This level of government in Australia is responsible for justice, health, education, consumer affairs, public transport, main roads, and forestry. State and territory elections are held every four years. Each state, except Queensland, has two houses that make up its parliament: the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and the Legislative Council (upper house). The two territory governments also have a single house, the Legislative Assembly.
The third level of government consists of more than 500 local councils that enact laws for their respective districts or regions. States and territories in Australia are divided into Local Government Areas (LGA), which are also referred to as councils, municipalities, or shires. Aussies are also required to vote to elect members to these councils, which are responsible for making by-laws and providing services such as waste management, roads and footpaths, parking, town planning, recreational facilities, building approvals, childcare, and aged care.
Western Australia is the wealthiest state in the country thanks to its natural resources and exports
In 2025, Australia's economy is growing at its slowest pace since the early 1990s, excluding the COVID pandemic. . Australia has a diverse economy, and in 2025, Health and Education contributed 13.4% to the overall economy, followed by mining at 12.2% and both construction and finance at 7.5%. GDP growth is predicted to increase to 2.25% during 2025-2026;
Many visas for Australia require you to have health insurance while you are in the country
Australia's healthcare system has a history of being dependable and one of the best in the world. It is a mixed public-private system where Australian permanent residents and citizens can access the country's universal healthcare system, called Medicare. However, the , with emergency department overcrowding, escalating ambulance and , bed shortages, and hospital closures.
If obtaining an international health insurance policy isn't part of your visa requirements, make sure you do it anyway. Unless you are a permanent resident, you can't access Medicare. This means that even if you use public health care services and don't choose private doctors or hospitals, you will still be out of pocket. . And when you choose your policy, make sure you are covered for transportation by ambulance, as a ride to the hospital can cost you thousands.
Sydney is Australia's most expensive property market
Long known for having a high standard of living, Australians have been feeling the squeeze in recent times. The Lucky Country has seen property prices skyrocket, and the cost of groceries and other essential services has also surged. While the price of goods and services varies depending on your location, living in a big city can be very expensive. In 2024-2025, .
For people considering a move to Australia, housing costs are one of the most significant expenses you will face. Renting and buying property in Australia — especially in urban centers — is a considerable investment, with the median house price in Sydney in April 2025 at AUD 1,118,000 (USD 734,538). Analysis predicts the median house price could rise to AUD 2.4 million (USD 1,576,826) by 2030.
However, the cost of living varies significantly depending on your location, with major cities like Sydney and Melbourne generally having higher living expenses. In contrast, smaller towns and rural areas typically offer a more affordable way of life.
Workplaces in Australia can be very social, so get used to drinks after work, lunches with colleagues, and a big end-of-year Christmas party
Australia is facing a skills shortage, so if you have the skills and qualifications for one of the in-demand jobs, there are plenty of opportunities to be found. Australia needs healthcare workers, construction and engineering professionals, IT experts and workers in education and social assistance. In the 2024-2025 permanent Migration Program, there was an allocation of 132,000 skilled visas to help improve the economy and fill the country's skills shortages. Skilled visas accounted for 71% of total visas.
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