Exclusive Migration – Australian Lifestyle The cities and regions of Australia have many characteristics that differ between themselves. The biggest difference however, is in their size, their geographic location, and climate which has an important influence in the life style of the Australians. There is no good or bad city to live in Australia. All offer excellent life styles, job opportunities, amusement, schools, and attractive tourism. That is, you can choose the life style you prefer, a city where you will be able to practice a specific sport, or in accordance with what you plan to study or work. PEOPLE AND POPULATION Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian continent before the arrival of European settlers. Today, Australia is one of the most culturally diverse societies with a population of over 20 million. English is Australia's official language but, more than four million residents speak a second language. Most of Australia's population is concentrated in coastal areas with the majority living in the State and Territory’s capital cities. ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMALS Australia's continental plate drifted away from Antarctica towards the equator between 10 and 55 million years ago. This isolation of Australian plants, landscape and wildlife led to a unique evolutionary process. As a result, Australia has a unique landscape, plants and wildlife with an exceptional range of species. More than 80 percent of our mammals, frogs, reptiles and flowering plants found nowhere else in the world. WEATHER AND THE SEASONS Climatic zones range from deserts to snow-capped mountains; from tropical rainforests to cool climate forests. The Summer months are December to February, Autumn months are March to May, Winter months are June to August and Spring months are September to November. GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT There are three levels of Government in Australia: Commonwealth (also know as 'Australian Government' or 'Federal Government') State – each of the States and Territories has a government Local – each City has a Local Council Both the Commonwealth and State systems of government derive from the British Westminster system, although the Australian Constitution was influenced by the United States and Swiss Constitutions. Under the Australian Constitution, the legislative power of the Commonwealth of Australia is vested in the Parliament of the Commonwealth, which consists of the monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II), the Senate and the House of Representatives. EDUCATION Australia’s Education System is one of the best in the world. It is primarily regulated by the individual State governments and therefore varies slightly from State to State. You have the choice of attending a free “State or Public” School, or paying school fees and attending a “Private” institution. Generally education in Australia follows the three-tier model which includes Primary education (Primary Schools), followed by Secondary education (Secondary Schools / High Schools) and Tertiary education (Universities and TAFE Technical and Further Education Colleges). Education is compulsory up to an age specified by legislation; this age varies from state to state but is generally 15-17, that is, prior to completing secondary education. Post-compulsory education is regulated within the Australian Qualifications Framework, a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training (TAFE) and the higher education sector (University). Fees can be either paid up front or “loaned” through Federal government funding. The exception to this is International students who are full fee paying students. The academic year in Australia varies between states and institutions, but generally runs from late January until mid-December for primary and secondary schools and TAFE colleges, and from late February until mid-November for universities. ECONOMY, CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE Economy The Australian economy has experienced strong growth in recent years producing a high-growth, medium-inflation economy. Currency The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Australia was the first country to implement a complete system of polymer (plastic) bank notes. The polymer notes are much harder to counterfeit and are extremely durable compared to the conventional paper notes. Exchange Rate The exchange rate is the price of an Australian dollar expressed in terms of another currency. The two most common measures of the exchange rate used in Australia are: The exchange rate against the US dollar. Currently the AUD is rising to the USD. The trade-weighted index (TWI). This is a price in terms of a basket of currencies, rather than just one. The TWI will give a measure of whether the dollar is rising or falling on average. TIME ZONES There are three times zones in Australia – Eastern Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is GMT +10. AEST is followed in these regions: New South Wales (except Broken Hill) Victoria Queensland Tasmania Australian Capital Territory Central Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is GMT +9 ½. ACST is followed in these regions: South Australia Northern Territory Broken Hill, NSW Western Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) is GMT +8. AWST is followed in these regions: Western Australia Daylight Saving Daylight saving time is observed by New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory from early to late October to the end of March. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight savings. Where daylight saving is being observed: AEST becomes Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), and clocks are advanced to GMT +11. ACST becomes Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), and clocks are advanced to GMT +10 ½.