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Australia - Just the facts
In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population.
Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude. 
The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, is only 2228 metres. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is arid or semi-arid. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil. Some grazing land became desert when the long cycles that influence rainfall in Australia turned to drought.
The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.
Economy
Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world in recent years. As a high-growth, low-inflation, low interest rate economy, it is more vibrant than ever before. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector. With its abundant physical resources, Australia has enjoyed a high standard of living since the nineteenth century. It has made a comparatively large investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport.
The Australian workforce has seen many improvements over the last decade, leading to the surge in productivity in the 1990s. The complex and centralised award based industrial relations system has given way to a more decentralised one with many employees working under workplace agreements tailored to meet enterprise needs.
| Skilled (Work) Visa |
Working Holiday Visa |
Want to live and work in Australia? Immigration is the lifeblood of Australia. 200,000 jobs are advertised weekly, and the unemployment rate is the lowest in years. 102,500 Skilled Visas are to be granted by June 2008. The Skilled Independent Visa is designed to target individuals who have
skills or outstanding ability to fill the Australian skilled worker shortage and
contribute to the Australian economy.
Applicants under this category do not rely on sponsorship from family or the Australian government. They are assessed against their ability to satisfy the basic Visa criteria and to meet a current pass mark of 120 points on an assessment.
Successful applicants will obtain Australian permanent residence which will enable them to live and work in Australia without any restrictions. Subject to meeting certain residency requirements, it is possible to renew the permanent residence, and even qualify for Australian citizenship.
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Want to work and holiday in Australia? This Australian visa provides an opportunity for young people from selected countries to holiday and work in Australia for a period of 12 months, allowing them to explore the country. The Working Holiday Program provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for people between 18 and 30 from certain countries to holiday in Australia, and earn money to supplement their travel funds.
In order to qualify for a Working Holiday Visa, you must be between 18-30 years of age and you must hold a passport from a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia. This Visa allows you to supplement the cost of your holiday through incidental employment. If your primary reason for travelling to Australia is to participate in the work force, you should consider a Visa designed for that purpose.
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| Student (Study) Visa |
Business Visa |
Want to study in Australia? Each year over 150,000 international students arrive in Australia. The Overseas Student Program (OSP) allows people who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents to study in Australia. The Overseas Student Program (OSP) allows people who are not Australian citizens
or permanent residents to study in Australia. Students must obtain a Student
Visa before they can start a course of study in Australia. To be granted a
Student Visa you must undertake a registered course on a full-time basis.
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Want to manage, purchase or set up a business in Australia? The Business Skills Visa class encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and contribute to the Australian economy by developing new or existing businesses. Australia needs the energy of foreign business people. The Business Migration program encourages successful business people to develop new or existing businesses, and eventually settle permanently in Australia.
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| Visitor (Travel) Visa |
Parent (Family) Visa |
Want to travel to Australia? Apply online. The Australian Visitor Visa allows people to travel to Australia for tourism or business. Applicants from certain countries can conveniently apply online for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). If you wish to travel to Australia for tourism or business, you will need a
valid entry permit such as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), or a short
travel Visa. Passport holders from ETA eligible countries can use this website
to obtain an ETA directly from the Australian Government System, along with our
Short Travel Guide to Australia.
Passport holders from non-ETA eligible countries can obtain the Short Travel Visa Application Guide and Short Travel Guide to Australia and start the Visa application process.
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The Parent Visa category allows parents to migrate to Australia permanently to join their children who are living in Australia.
The number of places available for the Parent Visa class in the current program year (2006-07) is 5500. Therefore, applications under the existing Parent Visa class are experiencing a substantial wait for their applications to be finalised.
However, a new Contributory Parent category was introduced on 5 March 2003, aimed at speeding up the processing time for parents. The changes enable applicants to take up one of the following options:
- Apply directly for permanent residence and pay a substantial second Visa application charge; or
- Apply for temporary residence (with access to work rights and Medicare) and pay a lesser second Visa application charge.
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