Australia - A Great Nation

This big island continent is one of the most beautiful in the world covering almost 7.7 million square kilometres. It spans several climatic zones from the tropics in the far north to the cool temperate conditions of the south.

A population of 21.5 million inhabit a land area almost as big as continental USA.

In their leisure time Australians enjoy an easy-going outdoor lifestyle. Suburban communities are dotted with swimming pools, backyard barbecues, parks, playing fields and tennis courts - and beaches are rarely far away.

The houses in these neighbourhoods are of a high standard and relatively cheap compared with other nations.

Wherever they choose to live, Australian families can find the right kind of community for their lifestyle, with comfortable living standards and excellent schools, hospitals, transport and other community services.

Australian families have both the wealth and the time to enjoy their country. Working hours and the number of public holidays are similar to those in other Western countries. Australians are keen outdoor enthusiasts and virtually every activity is open to them.

Many city-dwellers own holiday homes along the coast or in the mountains. The Snowy Mountains -within a few hours drive of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra - offers international-class skiing.

More than one-third of the landmass is in the tropics and much of the country enjoys a near-Mediterranean climate for much of the year - perfect conditions for camping, bushwalking and water sports. With 36,000 km of coastline and most major cities situated along the coast, it is no surprise that boat ownership is among the highest, per capita, in the world.

Australia boasts some of the world's last great wilderness areas, from the tropical rainforest of Cape York to the deserts of the Red Centre, and from the temperate forests of Tasmania to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and its islands which stretch hundreds of kilometres up the eastern coastline. Many of these areas are now preserved as national parks for the benefit of present and future generations of Australians.

Yet Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world.

Urban Lifestyle
This often surprises visitors who, visualising Australia's wide open spaces, imagine that Australia's population is spread more or less evenly over the continent. In fact, 86 per cent of Australians are urban dwellers, and 65 per cent live in cities of more than 250,000 people - mostly on the fertile coastal plains.

Over seven and a quarter million people (around 40 per cent of the entire population) live in Sydney and Melbourne. Other major cities - Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth - all have populations of about a million.

Australian cities rank with the world's finest in sophistication, culture and fashion. Sydney and Melbourne boast vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants and world class entertainment, particularly opera, ballet and film.

The smaller state and territory capitals - and many other cities - have their own orchestras, museums, art galleries and theatre companies reflecting an affluent population's range of interest and activities.

All offer an attractive lifestyle, with an agreeable climate, good local transport, modern housing and lower crime rates than equivalent cities in many parts of the world.

No two cities are alike, perhaps because of their independent development due to the distances between them. Perth is 3,984 kilometres from Sydney, about the distance from London to Moscow, or Hong Kong to Jakarta. Even the two closest state capitals, Adelaide and Melbourne, are 650 kilometres apart. But efficient transport provides fast links across the nation. Travel throughout the nation is unrestricted. No check is made of people passing from one state to another.

A Stable Country
Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. It is a stable, prosperous and peaceful country. It has inherited many of the best features of the British system on which its institutions were based. A democratic system of government, respect for the individual, a free press and an independent judiciary are all part of the Australian way of life.

So is a robust sense of equality: Australians believe in a 'fair go' for everyone, and newcomers are welcomed into the community. Australia especially welcomes business people from overseas - and with good reason.

Business migrants bring benefits The benefits brought to Australia by business people who settle in the country, go far beyond the funds they have to invest. They introduce new skills, they have well-established contacts overseas, they create employment and they bring with them the riches of their own culture and language. The businesses they build stimulate exports and replace imports.

Prospective business migrants simply need to show that they have the skills, funds and commitment to make a home and to set up business in Australia. There are no barriers based on ethnic or national background. Wherever they come from, new business settlers will not be alone. Since July 1992, when the Business Skills visa class was introduced, more than 10,000 business people from 110 countries have made Australia their home and business base. As well as bringing experience and capital they have brought about 30,000 family members with them. As a result, Australia's business community and its cultural life have been immeasurably enriched. Business migrants benefit from Australia's deregulated economy with the nationÕs plentiful natural resources and strong tourism, education, agriculture and technology sectors.

Australia's tax system funds good infrastructure, education and health services, and is competitive with any other Western economy. Australia is an exciting, multicultural and prosperous society.

The Australian lifestyle is the envy of the world and the vast and beautiful country offers excellent rewards to those willing to set goals and put in the effort to achieve them.