Australian Facts

7.7 million square kilometres. This makes it the world’s largest island, and the sixth largest country.

20.1 million people. This population is small for such a large space when compared to many other countries

Aboriginal people were the first Australians. They have occupied the land for up to 60,000 years. It is commonly believed the ancestors of the Aboriginal people travelled to Australia from South-East Asia during the last Ice Age.

Colonial Australia was established by the British Empire. The first free settlers came mostly from Britain, Ireland, Germany and other European countries.

Since the end of World War II, millions of migrants have settled in Australia from all over the world. Today, 6.6 per cent of Australians were born in Britain or Ireland; 6.5 per cent were born in Continental Europe; and 5.0 per cent were born in Asia. Twenty-five per cent of modern day Australians were born in a non-English speaking country, or have at least one parent from a non-English speaking country.

Traders and explorers from Asia had contact with the Aboriginal people for many years before the continent was sighted by explorers from Portugal, Spain and Holland in the 16th and 17th centuries. But none of these people tried to settle in Australia, and it was more than 100 years before explorers understood the size and shape of the land. Australia was claimed by British explorers as late as 1770; British explorers came back to settle the country in 1788.

It was made a penal colony (gaol) for Britain to send its criminals, but many free settlers also came to farm the land and soon a gold rush began that brought many hopeful immigrants (particularly Chinese) to Australia to look for gold.

Apart from the colonisation process, Australia has had a peaceful history, and has gradually grown into a vibrant, multicultural country.

Major issues facing the Australian people today include reconciliation with indigenous Australians who were displaced when the British settled the country, and whether to break away from colonial British ties to become a republic. Australia now defines itself as a part of the Asia-Pacific region and has established stronger economic links with the Asian region.

Australia is an independent nation but is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is a parliamentary democracy and its system is modelled on the British and American systems, with the government elected by the people. The Governor-General represents the British monarchy in Australia.

There are three levels of government. Federal government duties and powers relate to national issues such as customs, defence, foreign policy and immigration. The eight State and Territory governments are in charge of their own internal affairs such as education, internal transport, health, and law and order. Local governments are created by legislation at State level and generally have responsibility for such things as town planning, local roads, waste management and recreation. All levels of government act in cooperation with the Federal government.

Australian political parties do not control the Australian media, and all people have freedom of speech and are free to voice their own opinions.

Australia has a mature, industrialised economy and is quickly developing greater strength in high technology, manufacturing and services. Tourism and education are two of Australia’s top 10 exports. Australia’s economy is also unique because its rural and mining industries (which shaped the nation in its early years) are strong compared to other developed countries.

Australia has one of the highest standards of living in the world, and it has always been stable both politically and economically.

Australia has a small population for its size, the cities and towns are spacious and relatively unpolluted, offering a perfect study environment. Students have the choice of studying in metropolitan cities, tropical coastal areas or large country towns. Whichever location students choose, they will be studying amidst beautiful scenery and mild weather. There are sophisticated entertainment and shopping facilities as well as a wide range of artistic, cultural, sporting and recreational activities.

A normal working week is five days, and around 35-40 hours. Shops are usually open for five and a half days, and are increasingly open on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. Employees get sick leave and there are about 12 paid public holidays per year, and full-time employees get paid holidays and superannuation as well. Around 40 per cent of Australians own their own home or are in the process of buying it, and most households have at least one car. Around 70 per cent of Australians live in cities.

The cost of living in Australia varies depending on which area you live in, and what kind of lifestyle you maintain. As a general rule, it will be more expensive to live in the larger capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne than in rural areas. The Study in Australia website suggests that single students need upwards of $320 a week. Students with spouses and/or children can expect to need more than this to cover general expenses such as rent, transport, food and clothes.

These are general, national figures and students should consult institutions for more information on their own area. Each institution profile in this book gives a guide to living costs in each area.

As a guide, the average cost per week for rental accommodation for a two bedroom flat is:

$180 in Darwin, Northern Territory
$250 in Melbourne, Victoria*
$200 in Brisbane, Queensland
$143 in Perth, Western Australia
$250 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
$150 in Adelaide, South Australia
$145 in Launceton, Tasmania
$270 in Sydney, New South Wales
* Estimate only.

(Sources: Real Estate Institute of Australia, Department of Family and Community Services, March 2003.)

Therefore, students need to choose carefully where they wish to study, as the stipend is a set rate for all locations.

Australia is very safe for international visitors. The tap water is safe to drink in all areas and food hygiene is very good and monitored under strict laws. When entering Australia vaccination is not necessary. In general, no vaccinations are required unless the student is travelling from a country where Yellow Fever is a problem.

All Australian citizens have access to health care through a government system. Health care is also offered by a range of private companies and there are numerous private and public hospitals and services. Overseas Student Health Cover will cover most medical services at public hospitals and clinics, and around 85 per cent of the cost of most private medical services.

There is an abundance of local health clinics in all cities and towns. Some of the larger education institutions operate a health clinic on campus. It may be possible to find a doctor who speaks the student’s native language or the student can contact the health department in the State he/she is living in, to find out about translating and interpreting services. In some States, Migrant Health Units or Resource Centres can help the student with a healthcare interpreter. The student can request to see a male or female doctor if he/she wishes, and there are clinics solely for women.

Australia has over the years taken in large numbers of immigrants from Europe, and today is a very culturally diverse society.

Four out of 10 Australians are immigrants or the children of immigrants, and at least 17 per cent of Australians speak a language other than English at home. This means that Australians have a strong appreciation of the special needs of visitors from other cultures.

International visitors will be able to find many foods and facilities relevant to their own culture. Asian, Indian and European spices are readily available in all large supermarkets, and there are many specialist grocery stores and delicatessens selling Asian and European produce. Australia accepts various religions, and there is a range of facilities for Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Christian and other faiths. Some universities have religious facilities on campus.

Adelaide, South Australia;
Brisbane, Queensland;
Cairns, Queensland;
Darwin, Northern Territory (Primarily reservers flihts from the southern Asia-Pacific);
Melbourne, Victoria;
Perth, Western Australia; and
Sydney, New South Wales.

Students should know that although they will land at the international terminal of the airport, their journey may not stop there. It may still be necessary to go to the domestic terminal in order to connect with domestic flights or buses. The domestic terminal is sometimes in a different place and it is important to allow at least one hour to reach it. Your travel agent should be able to advise you.

Before arriving, the student should make sure he/she understands the distances needed to travel within Australia to reach the final destination, and plan the itinerary accordingly. Australia is a big country and travel within it can take longer than expected. Many international visitors have difficulty perceiving the long distances between cities and campuses in Australia. For example, it can be several hundred kilometres from the airport in Townsville to institution campuses in areas such as Cairns

Maintaining a car can be expensive, so many students rely on public transport systems. Public transport in most areas of Australia is very reliable and runs to strict timetables. Buses, trains and trams can be a very cost-effective method of getting around town and there are often discounts for students. More information about public transport around each institution can be found later in this document. Relying on taxis for transport can be very expensive in Australia, and there is no haggling over fares.

Cars are a highly popular mode of transport in Australia. Foreign driver’s licences are acceptable, as long as they are presented in English (if the student’s licence has to be translated, carry a copy of the original as well as the translated one). International Driving Permits are also accepted.

All vehicles must be registered as being road worthy. The cost of registration varies between the States and Territories, and according to the type of car, and it is necessary to pay for third-party personal insurance. Together these can cost around $700 a year.

Driving in Australia is permissible from the age of 17 years. Drive on the left-hand side of the road and keep to the indicated speed limits (or it is possible to be fined). The speed limit in residential areas is generally 50-60 kilometres an hour, or 40 kilometres an hour around schools. On highways and in country areas the limit is 100 kilometres an hour. It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt.

Bicycles are becoming a more common form of transport in cities, some of which have an excellent system of cycle paths. It is compulsory in all States to wear a bicycle helmet.

There are some things you are not allowed to bring into Australia. There are also things that you can bring as long as you present them for checking when you arrive at the airport in Australia (in case they carry anything such as bacteria or insects that could be harmful to Australia. Presenting these items for checking is referred to as “declaring” them. Students are advised not to bring any of these items with them unless absolutely necessary as the quarantine process can be stressful, time consuming and expensive.

dairy, eggs and egg product;
live animals;
meat and meat products;
traditional medicines;
seeds and nuts;
fresh fruit and vegetables;
live plants;
handicrafts or souvenirs that contain or are made from seeds;
salmon and trout products;
biological materials; and
deer horn/velvet, edible birds nest packaged products.

When you declare items of quarantine concern, you will be directed to a quarantine officer to have them inspected. In most cases they will be returned to you.

If an item must be treated before it is considered safe, you will have the option of paying for this treatment (costs vary depending on the item and treatment required), letting AQIS destroy it or re-exporting it to another country (at your expense).

Treated items may take some days or weeks to be ready for collection, depending on the item and treatment required. You can collect them yourself or through an agent, or ask AQIS to post or courier them to you. You have 30 days to collect your items.

If you bring an item that is banned, you will again have the choice of surrendering it to AQIS or re-exporting it.

If you don’t declare these items, chances are very high that detector dogs or x-ray baggage examination will locate them. If this happens, the goods will be destroyed and you could be fined or prosecuted. On-the-spot fines of more than $100 are now in force at all Australian international airports.

If you’re not sure about the goods you’re carrying or Australia's quarantine laws, declare them anyway and ask a quarantine officer.

Accommodation in Australia is of a high standard. By law, landlords and real estate agents are obliged to ensure that the residence is safe and secure, and the tenants have proper access to water and electricity. Telephone outlets are standard but sometimes it is necessary to organise the connection with the telephone company.

There are several major types of accommodation available to students. These include: university halls of residence, university apartments, homestay, independent accommodation (houses and apartments), and hostels and guest houses.

University halls of residence are usually within walking distance of the university, they offer student services and give the opportunity to live closely with other students. Each student has a separate bedroom but shares other facilities. Some Halls of residence provide meals and others have cooking facilities for use by the students.

University apartments are usually reserved for postgraduate students, visiting faculty and married students. University apartments are usually self-contained and fully furnished.

The benefit of independent accommodation is the freedom it allows. Most students cannot afford to rent on their own, so they choose to share a house or apartment with two or more others. Hostels and guest houses are designed for short-term stays, often while long-term accommodation is being finalised. Students are responsible for their own power and telephone bills. These can be quite expensive.

Institutions are required to arrange, but not pay for, intermediate accommodation for all ADS students when they first arrive. Most education institutions also have accommodation officers to give advice on long-term housing options and expenses, and help the student organise on-campus accommodation. Refer to individual profiles later in this book for specific costs for accommodation at each institution and the surrounding area.

Australian institutions believe in developing independent, creative, analytical and lateral thinking, and so students are encouraged to take an active part in the learning process. They are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyse data by themselves or in teams, raise questions, develop an argument in a logical form, and participate in discussion and debate with other students and teachers.

To assist the student in his/her study, Australian institutions offer quality libraries, computer laboratories, Internet and email access and a range of other technologies relevant to the student’s course.

Australia is a big country and so temperatures vary with geography and altitude. Most Australians live along the east and south coasts, where the climate is mild and often tropical. In summer it can get very hot in the far north and in the centre. In winter it only gets cold enough to snow in the mountains and rarely in the cities. Information on the climate around each institution can be found later in this document. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius.

Queensland/New South Wales/ACT/Victoria/Tasmania: Greenwich Meantime plus 10 hours. (In Australia this is called Eastern Standard Time.
Northern Territory/South Australia: Greenwich Meantime plus nine and a half hours.
Western Australia: Greenwich Meantime plus 8 hours.
Some areas have daylight saving in summer (usually from late October to early March), which puts time forward by one hour.