Tolerance is the Australian way

Australia has learned many things from the successive waves of immigrants who have so enriched its culture. One of them is the value of diversity - a valuable lesson as the nation takes its place in the new world order.

The Australian culture is a tolerant one. It can cope with many different attitudes to life, work and the family. But there are a few basic tenets of life in Australia to which immigrants must adjust themselves. One of these is tolerance itself - newcomers are asked to show in their actions the same tolerance that is being shown them.

Many cultures are good for business

Tolerant behaviour is vital, because Australia is becoming more and more a multicultural society. About half of all Australians were either born in another country or have at least one parent born overseas.

Just on 5.8 million immigrants have settled here since 1945, and Australia is one of the very few developed nations which continue to welcome new settlers.

These settlers used to be predominantly British and Irish, but that has changed. In 1995-96, only 11.4% came from the UK and Ireland while over 12.4% came from New Zealand, 11.3% came from China and 4.4% came from Hong Kong. Australia also accepts significant numbers of refugees. In recent years, 30% of these have come from the former Yugoslav republics, 20% from Vietnam, 15% from the former USSR and the Baltic States and 13% from Iraq.

And 20,000 business people from over 100 countries have accepted the invitation to make Australia their home and business base. This has contributed greatly to the increase in the number of countries which have become Australia's trading partners.

Equality is the law

Business migrants will find that there are no barriers based on ethnic or national background. Indeed, tolerance is not only cultural, it is also supported by legislation. Discrimination on the basis of nationality, sex, age or religious beliefs is strictly illegal. Laws guarantee that everyone 'gets a fair go' - the uniquely Australian expression describing equality of opportunity for everyone.

Equality is guaranteed everywhere, not just in the workplace. Higher education, for instance, is available to everyone with the required academic standard. While education is subsidised, students make a contribution towards the cost of higher education either in a lump sum or after graduation.

Adapting to Australia

The fact that Australia is a tolerant society does not, of course, mean that everything will be the same for you as it was in your country of origin. You will need to allow time for the family to adapt to the different style of living they will encounter in Australia.