Professional Documents
Culture Documents
67 8 25 26 51 52 69 70 71
OVERVIEW THE LAND AUSTRALIA SOCIETY AND CULTURE VISITING
AND ITS PEOPLE AND THE WORLD AUSTRALIA
ENVIRONMENT 22 TOURISM 44
STUDY IN AUSTRALIA 48
8 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 9
AUSTRALIAS NATIONAL SYMBOLS
NATIONAL ANTHEM
An Australian soldier
Advance Australia Fair has been carries a wounded
Australias official national anthem comrade near North
THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG Beach, Gallipoli
since 19 April 1984. (AWM H10363)
The stars of the Southern Cross Australians all let us rejoice,
represent Australias geographic For we are young and free;
position in the Southern Hemisphere.
DID YOU KNOW?
Weve golden soil and wealth for toil; NATIONAL DAY
The large Commonwealth star Anzac Day, 25 April, is a national day of
Our home is girt by sea; commemoration for all Australians who
symbolises the federation of the Our land abounds in natures gifts
states and territories, and the have fought in wars. It is the day the
Of beauty rich and rare; Australia and New Zealand Army Corps
Union Jack reflects Australias In historys page, let every stage (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in
early ties to Great Britain. Advance Australia Fair. 1915 during World War I. To mark Anzac
In joyful strains then let us sing, Day, Australians and New Zealanders
THE COAT OF ARMS Advance Australia Fair. attend ceremonies at home and around
the world, including in Gallipoli. In 2015,
The Australian coat of arms consists Beneath our radiant Southern Cross Australia Day is celebrated each
Australia marked the centenary of
of a shield containing the badges of Well toil with hearts and hands; year on 26 January. The date is the
the Anzac landing with a ceremony
the six Australian states symbolising To make this Commonwealth of ours anniversary of the unfurling of the at Gallipoli.
federation, and the national symbols Renowned of all the lands; British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788.
Acacia pycnantha Benth
of the Golden Wattle, the kangaroo For those whove come across the seas
and the emu. By popular tradition, Weve boundless plains to share;
OUR NATIONAL COLOURS NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
the kangaroo is accepted as the With courage let us all combine
Australias national colours are green national animal emblem. The Golden To Advance Australia Fair. Australia has 12 public holidays www.australia.gov.au
and gold, the colours of its national Wattle was proclaimed the national In joyful strains then let us sing, a year, including New Years Day, www.australia.com
floral emblem, the Golden Wattle. floral emblem in August 1988. Advance Australia Fair. Australia Day and Anzac Day.
10 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 11
New Zealand 41,230
POPULATION An Australian family at
Bondi Beach, Sydney
(Camille Nuttall,
Tourism Australia)
Australians come from a rich variety Until the 1970s, the majority of
immigrants to Australia came from
IMMIGRANTS ARRIVED
IN AUSTRALIA IN 201213
of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and Europe. These days Australia receives
many more immigrants from Asia,
religious backgrounds. While Aboriginal and since 1996 the number of
and Torres Strait Islander peoples are immigrants from Africa and the
Middle East has almost doubled.
Phillipines 6,160
the original inhabitants of the land,
China 16,784
Iraq 3,132
world and does not discriminate on
also call Australia home.
UK 11,039
racial, cultural or religious grounds.
Australians embrace the spectrum
of religious beliefs and Buddhist,
Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim,
Sikh and other places of worship
DID YOU KNOW? are found in almost every major city. TOP 10 SOURCE COUNTRIES
FOR IMMIGRANTS (201213)
That in 2015 Australia had the second
highest median adult wealth (US
$168,000) in the world after New Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Zealand (US $182,000). Australia was DID YOU KNOW?
followed by Belgium and the United AUSTRALIA IS MODERN,
English is the national language but more
Kingdom. CONTEMPORARY AND
than 300 languages are spoken in Australian
MULTICULTURAL AND THIS IS homes. The most common are Mandarin,
New Australian citizens pose with the flag
(Department of Immigration and Border Protection) REFLECTED IN ITS BUILDINGS, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese and Greek. www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au
FASHION, RECREATION AND www.immi.gov.au
FOODS.
12 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 13
Ambassador for Australian Indigenous Fashion Week, Samantha Harris, wearing
a design by Torres Strait Islander, Grace Lillian Lee (Hamish Gregory Photography)
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA in the census. The referendum saw To achieve this, the Government
the highest yes vote ever recorded is working closely with Indigenous
Aboriginal people in Australia are Another distinct group, of Melanesian
origin, are the Torres Strait Islander in a referendum in Australia, with just Australians to ensure that better
the custodians of one of the oldest peoples who first settled on islands over 90 per cent of Australians voting
for the change. The referendum and
services and outcomes are delivered
on the ground. The Australian
north of the mainland, between the
continuous living cultures in the world. tip of Queensland and Papua New the High Court decision on 3 June Government is also committed to
1992 which recognised native title achieving recognition for Aboriginal
Archaeological evidence suggests Guinea, thousands of years ago.
and Indigenous peoples entitlements and Torres Strait Islander peoples in
that Australia has been continuously Today, most Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people live in cities and
to possession, occupation, use Australias Constitution.
and enjoyment of their traditional
inhabited for more than 60,000 years. towns. Many people still remain on lands, are important milestones in
their traditional lands and maintain Australian history. www.indigenous.gov.au
aspects of their traditional lifestyles www.aiatsis.gov.au
in a modern-day Australia. Indigenous people contribute In 2008, the Australian Parliament
in many areas including the arts, passed a motion of Apology to
DID YOU KNOW? Prior to European settlement it is media, academia, politics, sport and Australias Indigenous Peoples for
(James Fisher,Tourism Australia)
One in ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait estimated that around 250 different business. The 2014 Australian of the past mistreatment and injustices,
Islander people speak an Australian languages were spoken. While Year, Adam Goodes, a professional especially the Stolen Generations,
Indigenous language at home. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Rules football player - who were Indigenous children
languages remain strong in some an Adnyamathanha man from the forcibly removed from their families.
communities, it is estimated that Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
more than 100 languages have been Today, the Australian Government is
lost and around 110 are endangered. A national referendum, held on committed to working in partnership
Efforts are underway to keep 27 May 1967, removed references with Indigenous people, families and
language strong in communities and from the Australian Constitution communities to make sure children
to revive vulnerable languages. which discriminated against go to school every day, adults have
2014 Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes, responds
Indigenous people and excluded jobs and communities are safe places to the crowd at an AFL match at the Melbourne Cricket
Indigenous culture is diverse and Aboriginal people from being counted to live. Ground (Greg Ford, AFL Media)
strong and makes a vital contribution
to Australias national identity.
14 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 15
GOVERNMENT the Governor-General acts on
the advice of the head of the
The 1901 Constitution of the
Commonwealth of Australia sets out
Government, the Prime Minister, the powers of the Commonwealth
Australia was one of the first countries From the 1850s to the 1890s, when
few other countries in the world were
and other ministers. and states. Each state has its own
to establish democracy in the modern democratic, the Australian colonies The Prime Minister leads a cabinet
written constitution. The High Court
of Australia and the Federal Court
progressively established universal of ministers, each of whom has
world. In the mid-nineteenth century, male suffrage, and were also among responsibility for a portfolio of
of Australia have the authority to
interpret constitutional provisions.
Australian colonies set about writing the first to give women the vote. government duties. Commonwealth
ministers, including the Prime
Under the Constitution, the legislative PARLIAMENT AND GOV-
ERNMENT
constitutions which produced Australian democracy has
at its heart the following core
Minister, are appointed by the
power of the Commonwealth is
vested in the federal parliament.
Governor-General on the advice
democratically elected parliaments. defining values:
of the leader of a political party or
The parliament makes laws,
>> f reedom of election authorises the Government to Australians vote for
coalition which represents a majority federal representatives
and being elected spend public money, scrutinises
of the House of Representatives
government activities, and is a
Parliament House forecourt, Canberra >> f reedom of assembly in the federal parliament. Similar
(Lincoln Fowler, Tourism Australia) forum for debate on national issues.
and political participation systems operate in the states and federal representatives
>> f reedom of speech, expression territories. There are also more All Australians citizens over the
and religious belief than 560 local councils across age of 18 must vote in both
the country. federal and state elections.
>> rule of law senators in the Senate
16 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 17
AUSTRALIA IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN FIVE SIGNIFICANT
AND DIVERSE SECTORS: AGRIBUSINESS, EDUCATION,
TOURISM, MINING AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT.
ECONOMY
Known as one of the great agricultural, Underpinning Australias strong economy
Source: (Austrade, Why Australia Benchmark Report June 2014 Update, Section 1, Growth, pg 9)
is its open and transparent trade and MERCHANDISE EXPORTS: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
mining and energy producers, Australia investment environment, business-
US$38.6 BILLION, 2014
TOP 14 EXPORTER IN THE WORLD
friendly regulatory approach and its
has one of the worlds most open and trade and economic links with emerging
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT CATEGORIES
18 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 19
DID YOU KNOW?
The BBC has declared
Australia the lifestyle
super power of the globe. Gunlom (Waterfall Creek), Kakadu National Park
Kangaroos
(Tourism Australia) (Ellenor Argyropoulos, Tourism Australia)
20 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 21
ENVIRONMENT
Australia has around 10 per cent of the DID YOU KNOW?
worlds biodiversity and is one of the Australia is about the size
of the United States mainland.
17 megadiverse countries that together
account for almost 70 per cent of the Great Ocean Road, Victoria
A LEADING ANTARCTIC NATION
worlds species. It is a land like no other. (Chris Kapa, Tourism Australia)
22 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 23
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
the worlds largest coral reef system
(D. Bergmark, Tourism Australia)
AUSTRALIAN SITES
ARE LISTED ON THE
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST.
whc.unesco.org/en/list
Australian fossil mammal site, Naracoorte,
South Australiasome of the richest fossil
deposits in the world (SA Department of Fraser Island, Queensland Royal Exhibition Building, Victoria
Environment, Water and Natural Resources) the worlds largest sand island one of the last remaining world fair buildings
(Maxime Coquard, Tourism Australia) which is still used for exhibitions (Tourism Victoria)
24 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF The land and its people The land and its people 25
Australia and the world Skyline, Melbourne
(Roberto Seba, Tourism Australia)
26 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 27
AUSTRALIA IS STRONGLY COMMITTED TO BUILDING A >> Australias foreign and trade links with the United Kingdom
RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER WHICH ADVANCES policy focuses on strengthening its and Europe. Australia is committed
AND PROTECTS THE INTERESTS OF ALL NATIONS AND already significant engagement with to a broad-based, creative
PEOPLES. AUSTRALIA PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN A WIDE countries in the dynamic Indo-Pacific partnership with the European
region. As a founding member of Union, addressing the contemporary
ARRAY OF GLOBAL AND REGIONAL GROUPS, INCLUDING
APEC and an active participant in the challenges of economic
THE:
East Asia Summit, Australia is helping management and international
>> United Nations (UN) to build regional institutions that trade, development, security,
foster stability, security and prosperity and international governance.
>> Group of twenty major economies (G20)
across the region.
>> World Trade Organization (WTO) Australia has significant people-
>> East Asia Summit (EAS) Australia has close, longstanding to-people links and growing trade
>> East Asia Summit (EAS) bilateral ties with Indonesia, as and investment interests in the
well as strong ties with the other strategically important Middle East.
>> Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member nations of ASEAN. Australia In Africa, Australia has longstanding
>> AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
also has significant relations with bilateral ties, especially with fellow
>> Commonwealth India and with the major states of Commonwealth nations, and
>> Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Northeast AsiaChina, Japan and growing trade and investment
>> Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) the Republic of Koreawhich are interests, particularly in the
>> Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) also major markets. resources sector.
>> Forum for East AsiaLatin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Beyond its region, Australia enjoys Australias connections with Latin
>> International climate change negotiations strong economic, security, political, American countries are expanding
>> AsiaEurope Meeting (ASEM) Australian Foreign Minister, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and social and cultural ties with the in a range of international forums,
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon share an exchange United States and Canada, and including in the WTO. Australia also
during the Security Councils High-Level Meeting on
Small Arms, 26 September 2013 (Trevor Collens, DFAT) continues to build on its strong and has warm relations with Caribbean
longstanding political, cultural, trade, countries built on strong historical
investment, and people-to-people and cultural foundations.
28 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 29
TRADE
Trade liberalisation and economic reform Until the 1960s, Britain and the United
States were Australias main trading
Australia continues to push ahead
with trade liberalisationunilaterally,
have been at the heart of Australian
51,000
partners. Today the emphasis of bilaterally and multilaterally. This will
Australias trade has shifted to Asia, with strengthen international economic
Government policy for decades. four out of five of Australias top trading collaboration, reduce the risks facing
partners located there. China, Japan, the global economy, and bolster
the United States, and the Republic of growth. Australia plays an active role
Korea are now Australias largest trading in the WTO, APEC, the G20 and other 51,000 AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES EXPORT
THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE WORLD
partners. trade related forums. Australia has
also negotiated bilateral and regional
Australia has a very open market
trade agreements with a wide range
with minimal restrictions on imports
of countries to strengthen trade and
of goods and services. This has
investment flows. >
increased productivity, stimulated
growth and made the economy
more flexible and dynamic.
Australia has developed a competitive DID YOU KNOW?
edge in a range of goods and services, Australian agriculture feeds 60 million
from high-technology products such people around the world each year.
as medical and scientific equipment
through to high-quality wine and
processed food. Major services exports
DID YOU KNOW? include education and tourism, and
Iron ore ship at Port Hedland
(BHP Billiton) Australia is the worlds largest professional and financial services. Wheat harvest at Beverley
exporter of iron ore. Services by Australian companies (CBH)
30 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 31
A$316.6b A$352.7b
Australian beef on
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS sale in Korea (MLA)
32 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 33
Coal mine in the Bowen Basin
(BHP Billiton) MINING AND RESOURCES
34 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 35
GROWTH
Economic growth, driven by the private
sector and supported by trade liberalisation,
DID YOU KNOW?
is a key objective of Australias engagement Australia is the leader of the
Flags of the G20 nations
with the world. Strong economies are an Cairns Group in the World Trade
Organization. The group of 19
important shaper of prosperity, security, countries from the Americas, Australias aid program promotes
AUSTRALIA AND THE G20
stability and peace. Africa, Asia and the Pacific works
to free up agricultural trade.
sustainable economic growth and
poverty reduction in developing As a member of the G20, Australia
countries. Aid investments help influences decisions relating to the
expand the capacity of countries global economy. Australias strong
Through its membership of to trade their products, encourage financial sector and effective system
international economic institutions, economic growth to create jobs, and of financial regulation means Australia
Australia actively promotes open empower women and girls to better is well placed to make a strong
trade to encourage global economic participate in the economy. contribution to the G20s work.
growth and job creation. Through its membership of the
Domestically, Australia is working
G20, Australia is also strengthening
As president of the G20 in 2014, to reduce government debt,
its engagement with the worlds
Australia led the push for G20 remove unnecessary taxes and cut
major economies.
DID YOU KNOW? members to grow their gross regulations and costs for business.
Australia is currently ranked
domestic product by an additional This will ensure Australia remains an
fifth on the Index of Economic two per cent by 2019. This would attractive destination for international
Freedom. add nearly US$2 trillion dollars to investment so our economy can
Workers on a building site the global economy and create continue to grow and develop new
(Austrade)
Sunset, Barossa Valley, South Australia millions of jobs. industries.
(Adam Bruzzone, Tourism Australia)
36 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 37
INVESTMENT
Foreign investment is crucial to Australias Australias highly skilled workforce, robust
economy, trusted legal system and stable
economy. It improves competition and society make the country an attractive
location for foreign investors. The stock
productivity, encourages innovation and of foreign investment in Australia was
gives Australia opportunities to diversify A$3 trillion at the end of 2015.
and expand its economy, create more A large number of foreign companies
are registered in Australia and many have
jobs and contribute more broadly to developed close links with local firms.
This has generated cooperation on
regional and global markets. research and development and resulted
in Australian companies becoming
integral parts of regional and global
Collaborative meeting in drug supply chains.
substance manufacturing
(Amgen) 25 YEARS OF WORLD-CLASS WORLDS FASTEST EASY TO RUN HIGHLY SKILLED
UNINTERRUPTED INNOVATION GROWING REGION A BUSINESS WORKFORCE
ANNUAL GROWTH
Australias quality With strong trade links, A well-regulated and Australias multilingual
Australias strong, diverse research institutions strategic location and transparent commercial workforce is among the
and growing economy adds and commitment to a highly educated, environment makes it easy most educated in the world.
up to more opportunities. innovation make it a multilingual workforce, to establish and operate
One of the worlds largest biotech companies, AMGEN
proven destination for Australia is uniquely a business in Australia.
from California, invests about A$35 million in local bringing new ideas to life. positioned as a location
research and development in Australia annually and to do business in
has been conducting clinical trials in Australia for over the Indo-Pacific.
20 years. The company markets eight products in
Australia for the treatment of cancer, kidney disease, www.austrade.gov.au
bone disease and other serious illnesses and employs
nearly 150 people in five cities around the country.
38 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 39
BUSINESS
Australias strong economic
performance, combined with
its proximity to and experience
in working with Asian nations, ALMOST 40 PER CENT OF AUSTRALIAS
WORKFORCE HOLDS A TERTIARY
makes Australia an excellent QUALIFICATION
40 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 41
FOREIGN AID DID YOU KNOW?
Australias aid program is dedicated to promoting The focus of Australias aid program In 201617, Australia will provide $3.8 billion
is on its neighbourhood, where it can make in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to
prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability the most difference. More than 90 per cent developing nations.
42 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 43
TOURISM Freycinet Experience Walk, Tasmania
(Hugh Stewart, Tourism Australia)
44 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 45
came from New Zealand, followed
by China, Great Britain, the United
States, Singapore and Japan. Around
Tourism is one of Australias biggest 40 per cent of all spending by tourists
export industries, adding more in Australia was by Asian visitors, and
than A$37.9 billion to the economy that market is continuing to grow.
in 2015-16 and employing nearly Chinese tourists are particularly
one million people. With 46 cents interested in Australia and over the
in every tourism dollar spent in past decade the number of Chinese
regional areas, tourism is important tourists has tripled. The number
Poachers Way
(Adrian Brown, Tourism Australia) to both metropolitan and regional of visitors from India is also rapidly
communities. increasing.
Seppeltsfield Wines
(Adrian Brown, Tourism Australia) In 2014-15, a record 7.1 million Food and wine tourism is
Yering Station winery
(Roberto Seba, Tourism Australia) people visited Australia from expanding, in line with Australias
overseas. The greatest number growing international reputation
as a producer of high-quality wines
and a supplier of fresh, regionally
produced food.
46 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 47
DID YOU KNOW?
STUDY IN AUSTRALIA Australia is the worlds third most popular
destination for international students
behind the US, and the UK.
Education is Australias largest services International students are attracted to
Australia by its high standard of teaching, its
export. In 2016, more than 440,000 internationally accepted qualifications, and its
welcoming and diverse society.
international students were studying Australia has more than one thousand
universities, training colleges, English
and living in Australia, adding A$19.5 billion language institutes and schools, offering
international students some 25,000
The inaugural Yudhoyono Fellow, Emma Roberts (centre) will
study in Indonesia in 2015 under the New Colombo Plan (ANU) THE NEW COLOMBO PLAN
48 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 49
DEFENCE AND SECURITY Australias response to security Australia also has longstanding and Australia will continue to contribute
challenges, such as the proliferation valuable defence ties with Malaysia, to Afghanistans security and
Australia works closely with other countries of weapons of mass destruction, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines stability post-2014. Australia is also
terrorism, cyber threats, maritime and Papua New Guinea. Australia has a leader in global efforts for non-
to promote security and stability in the security and weak and failing states, growing and productive relationships proliferation and disarmament,
immediate region as well as globally. is multi-dimensional, with many with India, China and Vietnam. and counter-terrorism.
areas of government playing a role.
Australia provides assistance to
HMAS Newcastle A versatile and modern defence Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS
(Department of Defence)
force, strong bilateral links and an and other Pacific Island countries,
Since 1947, more than 65,000
ongoing commitment to a rules- helping them maintain stability and
Australians have served in more than
based global order and the United protect their security. Australia is also
50 peace and security operations
Nations, are all key elements of working with countries in South-
around the world. In its own
Australias approach. East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East
neighbourhood, Australia has helped
and Africa on law enforcement and
Bilaterally, the alliance with the build peace in regional missions
counter-terrorism to help build their
United States remains vital. Long- in Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste
capacity in this area.
term links with New Zealand, and the Autonomous Region of
and growing ties with Indonesia, Regionally and multilaterally, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea).
Japan and the Republic of Korea Australia continues to work with
As the nature of peace operations
are increasingly valued in pursuing others to address traditional and non-
has evolved, so too has Australias
common strategic interests. traditional security issues. Australia is
contribution, with an increasing focus
a significant non-NATO contributor
on policing and civilian components
to the NATO-led International
DID YOU KNOW? and on helping nations to build their Australian Volunteers from HMAS Parramatta help repair
Security Assistance Force in the Tuvaruhu Public School in Solomon Islands after
capabilities and national institutions. devastating floods in 2014 (Department of Defence)
Australias defence force has more than 80,000 Afghanistan, and recently announced
www.defence.gov.au
full time personnel and reservists, making it the further financial assistance to help
www.dfat.gov.au
largest military in the Oceania region. develop Afghanistan's security forces.
50 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF Australia and the world Australia and the world 51
Society and Culture STAGES OF AUSTRALIAS EDUCATION SYSTEM
years before formal schooling, with six to around 18, with many going on to Diploma
PhD; Masters
tertiary education. The public and private
many child care services and preschools education sectors are working together to
Associate
Diploma
Diploma
Graduate
Bachelor
Certificate Certificate
education. SCHOOL OF THE AIR
Diploma
Certificate
Australias vocational education and Australia is home to some of the
training system provides students with the most geographically isolated and
skills required in a modern labour market, remote communities in the world.
and delivers competency-based training School of the Air allows children SECONDARY EDUCATION (YEAR 7 12)
that is practical and career orientated. in remote communities and living
The Australian higher education system on isolated properties to attend
has both public and private universities. school via a computer. Various
PRIMARY EDUCATION (KINDERGARTEN YEAR 6)
DID YOU KNOW? Some universities have campuses in other communication technologies
Australias secondary school countries. There are Australian branches are used to provide daily contact
School students
(Oliver Strewe, Tourism Australia)
enrolment rate is the third highest of overseas universities and other higher between students, home tutors
in the world after Belgium and
Finland. education providers as well. (often parents) and teachers.
52 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF
Society and Culture Society and Culture 53
INNOVATION
Australias development has been forged through AUSTRALIAN INVENTIONS
DID YOU KNOW?
its enterprising spiritthe resilience, creativity Five CSIRO scientists invented wireless
and unquenchable desire to succeed. Australian LAN technology, these days known as Australia has always been an early Black box flight recorder
WiFi, which is now used in over 5 billion
innovations have improved the lives of billions devices around the world. adopter of innovations and new
from the black box flight recorder to Google Maps, technologies and is a global leader Bionic ear
in many sectors, with 15 out of 20
from Wi-Fi technology to the bionic ear, from industries having productivity levels High speed Wi-Fi
Australias research institutions are
spray-on skin to a vaccine for cervical cancer. among the worlds best and offer
above global averages. An increasing
number of innovative international Google Maps
unsurpassed opportunities for
Australia has also developed and implemented a industry partnerships. Australian
companies have recognised these
National Innovation and Science Agenda that will scientists collaborate internationally
strengths and established facilities Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine
in Australia. In 2014, more than
drive smart ideas to create business growth, local in many fields from coral reef
18,000 international companies Influenza treatment drug Relenza
jobs and global success. management to medicine. In 2012,
were registered in Australia and
Australia won the right to co-host, Aspro
many are involved in specific
with South Africa, the worlds largest
product development initiatives with
radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Pacemaker
Australians for example Boeing,
DID YOU KNOW? Array, which will give astronomers
Canon, IBM, GE and Baosteel.
Australia has produced 14 Nobel laureates. new insights into the universe. Plastic disposable syringe
Some recent Australian laureates are: Business expenditure on research Dual-flush toilet
> Brian P Schmidt, Physics, 2011 and development is increasingly www.csiro.au
> Elizabeth H Blackburn, Physiology or Medicine, 2009 recognising Australias research www.industry.gov.au Anti-counterfeiting
excellence: it has more than tripled technology for banknotes
> Barry J Marshall, Physiology or Medicine, 2005
in the last decade reaching
> J Robin Warren, Physiology or Medicine, 2005 Australian scientist working in a lab
(Department of immigration and A$18.8 billion in 201314. Spray-on skin for burns victims
Border Protection)
regional and state sports bodies. produced in many sports. The the biggest team sports in Australia. twice (Melbourne 1956 and Sydney
2000), the Commonwealth Games
nation unites when Australians play Three other football codes are also
on the international stage. Sport is popular throughout the country: four times (Sydney 1938, Perth 1962,
a powerful force in creating social rugby league, rugby union and Brisbane 1982 and Melbourne 2006),
harmony in a nation made up of Australias own unique brand of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the
people from so many different Australian rules football. Cricket, 2015 World Netball Championships,
countries. tennis, golf, swimming, field hockey and the 2015 Asian Football
and cycling are also popular. Confederation Cup. Queenslands
Successive governments have
Gold Coast will also host the 2018
committed to supporting sport in The Australian Sports Commission
Commonwealth Games. Other
Australia from grassroots to elite, promotes and funds grassroots
international events are staged
increasing participation in physical participation in sport. It also invests
annually around Australia such as
and recreational activities to promote in high-performance sport, including DID YOU KNOW?
the gruelling Sydney to Hobart Yacht
physical and mental health, staging through scholarships for athletes
Race, the Formula One Grand Prix The Australian Institute of Sport is a
world-class major sporting events, in facilities such as the Australian
in Melbourne, the internationally world best practice model for high-
and using sport as a vehicle to Institute of Sport, based in Canberra.
accredited Tour Down Under cycling performance athlete development.
address disadvantage and social
event in South Australia, and a round It bases its activities on outstanding
inclusion challenges. athlete results combined with skilled
of the Moto GP on Phillip Island in
www.ausport.gov.au coaches, world-class facilities and
Victoria. The world tennis circuit
www.health.gov.au cutting-edge sports science and
The Nullabor Linksthe worlds longest golf course. It covers 1,365 kilometres begins each year with the Australian
along the Eyre Highway between Ceduna in South Australia and Kalgoorlie in sports medicine services.
Western Australia. There is a hole at each participating town or roadhouse Open in Melbourne. >
in effectiveness and efficiency: Australia care and subsidies for primary care. One of Australias best known and
Medicare ensures that all Australians respected institutions is the Royal
consistently ranks in the World Health have access to a broad range of Flying Doctor Service. The Flying
Organizations best performing group quality health services at little or no Doctor is a charity that operates a
fleet of more than 66 planes and 48
cost. The Australian Government
of countries for healthy life expectancy provides significant financing for the vehicles from 21 bases around the
country. Every day doctors, nurses
and health expenditure per person. health system, working closely with
state and territory governments with and paramedics fly large distances
responsibility for on-the-ground to attend to patients or conduct
delivery of hospital services. A private clinics in small towns or on remote
University of Melbourne physiotherapy student health sector complements the properties. Often they escort patients
in clinic with a patient (University of Melbourne) back to larger centres for hospital
public system.
and medical treatment. The Royal
The non-Indigenous Australian
Flying Doctor Service began in
population has a generally good
1928 and every year has more than
health status with an average life
290,000 patient contacts a yearthe
expectancy at birth of 83 years (80
equivalent of one every two minutes.
for men and 84 for women), one of
the highest in the world. There are
some groups with poor health status, www.flyingdoctor.org.au
and improving the life expectancy www.health.gov.au
of Indigenous peoples is a national
priority. Generally, the pattern of
disease in Australia is similar to that A medical evacuation from Mount Ive Station, South Australia
of other developed countries. (Royal Flying Doctor Service)
Australia has many media outlets. The ABC is Australias national public
broadcaster. Founded in 1929, the ABC
There are two national radio, television provides television, radio, online and
mobile services across the country.
and online broadcasters that receive Through its international charter, it also
public fundingthe Australian Broadcasting provides radio and television services
to overseas audiences.
Corporation (ABC) and the Special SBS broadcasts programs in English
Broadcasting Service (SBS). and a range of other languages, and
covers news from all over the world.
SBS also manages the National
Indigenous Television channel
(Austrade) (NITV), which broadcasts programs
produced primarily by Australias
Indigenous people.
Australia also has three commercial
free-to-air television networks, an
indigenous commercial television
station, hundreds of pay television
channels, and many print, radio,
digital and online media outlets.
72 AUSTRALIA IN BRIEF
Taku Rosie Tarko
As a young girl, Taku Rosie Tarko walked with her
auntie and sister along the Canning Stock Route
to Billiluna in Western Australia. The Canning
Stock Route runs through hundreds of kilometres
of rugged sandhill country. The long, reverberating
lines in this painting represent the high red sandhills,
or jilji, which are found throughout much of the
Great Sandy Desert and Japingka, which is the
artists country.