About

Truly Amazing Country

Australia has a population of just over 25 million people and a land size of almost 8 million square kilometers. It has a diverse culture and lifestyle reflected by its democratic traditions and values, geographic closeness to the Asia Pacific Region and the social and cultural influences of the millions of migrants who have settled here since World War II.

Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. The Country’s original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are the custodians of one of the world’s oldest continuing cultural traditions. They have been living in Australia for at least 40,000 years. In 1945, Australia’s population was around 7 million people, and was predominantly Anglo-Celtic. Since then more than 6.5 million migrants, including 675,000 refugees, have settled in Australia, significantly broadening its social and cultural profile. Australia is a predominantly Christian Country, with around 64 per cent of all Australians identified as Christians. However, most other major religious faiths are also practiced which reflects Australia’s culturally diverse and tolerant society.

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SHARED VALUES

The defining feature of today’s Australia is not only the cultural diversity of its people, but the extent to which they are united by an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia. Within the framework of Australia’s laws, all Australian have the right to express their culture and beliefs and to participate freely in Australia’s national life. At the same time, everyone is expected to uphold the principles and shared values that support Australia’s way of life.

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Shared values

Freedom of speech and association

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Shared values

Equality under the law

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Shared values

Freedom of religion and a secular government

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Shared values

Freedom of religion and a secular government

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Shared values

Support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law

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Shared values

Equality of men and women

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Shared values

Respect for equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual.

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Shared values

Support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law

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Shared values

Equality under the law

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Shared values

Equality of Opportunity

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Shared values

Equality of men and women

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Shared values

Respect for equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual.

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Shared values

Equality of Opportunity

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Shared values

Peacefulness

The defining feature of today’s Australia is not only the cultural diversity of its people, but the extent to which they are united by an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia. Within the framework of Australia’s laws, all Australian have the right to express their culture and beliefs and to participate freely in Australia’s national life. At the same time, everyone is expected to uphold the principles and shared values that support Australia’s way of life.

GENERAL KEY FACTS

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Key Facts

More than 8 million migrants have settled in Australia since 1945

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Key Facts

More than 11 million Australians aged 15 or over take part in sport or other physical activity.

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Key Facts

Australia has one of the most diverse cuisines in the world but has no national dish!

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Key Facts

Australia has one of the most diverse cuisines in the world but has no national dish!

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Key Facts

Around 88 percent of Australians go to at least one cultural event each year.

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Key Facts

Australia is predominantly Christian but people are free to practice any religion they choose.

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Key Facts

More than 11 million Australians aged 15 or over take part in sport or other physical activity.

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Key Facts

Around 88 percent of Australians go to at least one cultural event each year.

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Key Facts

Australia is predominantly Christian but people are free to practice any religion they choose.

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Key Facts

English is the national language but other languages are valued.

FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE

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Facts About Australian

Over 29% of Australia’s residents were born overseas

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Facts About Australian

Despite being a massive continent, 90% of Australia’s population live on the coast due to the majority of the interior being a vast desert

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Facts About Australian

Someone from Sydney is typically referred to as a Sydney-sider

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Facts About Australian

Someone from Sydney is typically referred to as a Sydney-sider

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Facts About Australian

Those from Queensland are nicknamed Banana Benders

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Facts About Australian

Australia’s Aboriginal people are estimated to have lived here for roughly 50,000 years, yet they now make up only 1.5% of the total population

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Facts About Australian

Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke once held the Guiness World Record for the fastest beer sculling, downing 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds (he recreated the legendary feat at the SCG in January 2017)

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Facts About Australian

Those from Queensland are nicknamed Banana Benders

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Facts About Australian

Despite being a massive continent, 90% of Australia’s population live on the coast due to the majority of the interior being a vast desert

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Facts About Australian

A person from Melbourne is called a Melbournian

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Facts About Australian

Australia’s Aboriginal people are estimated to have lived here for roughly 50,000 years, yet they now make up only 1.5% of the total population

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Facts About Australian

Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke once held the Guiness World Record for the fastest beer sculling, downing 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds (he recreated the legendary feat at the SCG in January 2017)

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Facts About Australian

A person from Melbourne is called a Melbournian

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CUISINE

Australia has one of the most diverse cuisines in the world, thanks to Asian and European migrant influences. Australians enjoy a huge range of food in restaurants and homes, again reflecting the country’s cultural diversity. Southern Europe has combined with Asia and the Pacific for new flavours and tastes. Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Greek, Thai, Malay, French, Indian and Vietnamese restaurants are common in the capital cities.

Traditionally Australian bush tucker is becoming more common, particularly in Northern Australian restaurants, where kangaroo, buffalo, crocodile and emu can be often found on menus.

SPORT

Australians love their sport, hence are a nation passionate about their sporting culture. The most watched sports in Australia include Australian Rules Football, a uniquely Australian game with roots tracing to early forms of rugby and Gaelic football, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Cricket. Australia has more than 120 national sporting organisations and thousands of state and local sporting bodies.

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CLIMATE

Australia is so large that it experiences most climatic conditions. From Tropical monsoons to hot, dry weather and snow. Generally, however the climate is warm and temperate, particularly in major coastal cities. This climate results in a country where people spend a good deal of time outdoors at beaches, in the countryside or on sporting fields as either spectators or participants.