|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
<
For further information please visit - www.bom.gov.au
The Australian population is estimated to be 21,107,587 (October 2007). Historically the population is predominantly Anglo-Celtic. Approximately 22% of Australians were born overseas with the three main countries of birth being the United Kingdom, New Zealand and China (2006 Census). The first European settlements began in 1788 at a time when Australia was sparsely populated by the aboriginal people. The settlements began with the establishment by the British of a penal colony in New South Wales.
Back to top Christianity is the faith most widely professed. The main denominations are Roman Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Church. Back to top Australia is an independent state within the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is represented by the Governor General who has wide powers, but by convention acts only on the advice of ministers on virtually all matters. In 1901 the Australian Constitution established a federal system of government. Under this system, powers are distributed between a national government (House of Representatives) and the six States; three Territories - the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island have self-government arrangements (The Senate). National elections must be held every three years and voting is compulsory for those 18 yrs and over. For more information visit - www.law.gov.au Back to top The Federal Government helps people whose source of income has ceased, because of disability or retirement for example, or has been interrupted by unemployment or sickness. Age Pensions are paid to men from the age of 65 and to women between the ages of 60.5 – 65, dependent on date of birth. The range of pensions, benefits and allowances also includes Disability Support Pensions, Family Allowance Supplement, Solo Parent Benefit, Sickness Allowance or New Start Allowance. Social security benefits are non-contributory and usually paid directly to the recipient with the emphasis being on income support, based on need. Eligibility for most payments depends on an income/means test. New settlers are reminded that it is not possible to claim social security benefits, such as an unemployment benefit, for the first two years of residence in Australia. Medicare provides access to free treatment as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists, participating optometrists or dentists (specified services only). Medicare pays 85% of the scheduled fee and the patient pays the difference. The difference between what Medicare pays and the Schedule fee is called the gap amount. Once your gap payments, within a calendar year, total A$306.90*, you are eligible for the Safety Net. From this point Medicare benefits will increase to 100 per cent of the Medicare Schedule fee for any further out-of-hospital services in that year. Most medicines available on prescription are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Most PBS-listed medicines cost the consumer a maximum of A$29.50*. (* Figures are adjusted annually in line with the rate of inflation) Migrants are eligible for Medicare benefits from the day of arrival and should enrol with Medicare and obtain a Medicare card immediately upon arrival in Australia. About 80% of Australians have some level of private insurance for medical services that Medicare does not cover such as dentistry, glasses or contact lenses, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment. There are over 70 health funds in Australia, the largest being MBF, HCF and Medibank Private.
Back to top Preschool and school education has a similar structure across Australia with only slight variations amongst the States and Territories. School education is thirteen years with some variations in Queensland and Western Australia. It is divided into a preparatory year, primary schooling and secondary schooling. Preschool education commonly starts at five years of age for one year and is not compulsory. Primary schooling beginning at age six provides a general elementary programme lasting for six or seven years. Students enter secondary education in Year 7 or 8. School education is compulsory until students reach school leaving age which varies across states. The current leaving age for each state is 16 yrs for Western Australia, 15 yrs for the Northern Territory, 15 yrs for New South Wales, 16 yrs for Tasmania, 16 yrs for Victoria, 15 yrs for Queensland and 16 yrs for South Australia. Students have to sit a Year 12 exam to assess their eligibility to proceed with higher education. Around 68% of Australian children attend free, government-funded schools which are mostly co-educational and nonreligious. A parallel fee-paying sector also exists, including independent schools and schools run by various religious institutions. Children who need to attend boarding school in their secondary school years because of rural isolation will usually attend schools of this type, and their boarding costs are subsidised by the Government. Tertiary education programmes can be divided into two main types, those offered by institutions and industry within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, and higher education programmes which are mainly offered by universities and other higher education institutions. VET is competency-based and offers a wide variety of programmes under the National Training Framework (NTF). There are approximately 4,000 registered training organisations, including TAFE institutes, private training and assessment organisations, enterprises, universities, schools and adult education providers throughout Australia. Back to top Driving is on the left. Each of the states and territories has a separate authority responsible for the issuing of driver's licences which are then valid Australia wide. The minimum age for driving is either 17 or 18 years, depending on the state or territory. Migrants should apply for an Australian licence as soon as they take up permanent residence, although most states have a grace period of three months. Holders of a current drivers licence or an International Driving Permit issued in their home country must pass a written test on the local road rules. In most states it is also necessary to undergo an eyesight test. Driving licences are issued for a set period of time and a fee is payable for each renewal. For information on driver's licences in the state of your choice, see the relevant list of state websites in this publication. Back to top Great distances in Australia have led to a significant role for transport and communications. Australia has about 913,000 km of public roads. Private travel accounts for almost half of all road use. For non-bulk merchandise, road is Australia's dominant domestic transport mode (about 69%). There are rail links between the major cities but no rail service in Tasmania. Air transport is a major factor because of the distances with scheduled domestic flights carrying more than 18 million passengers a year. The two main domestic airlines are Qantas and Virgin Blue. Coastal shipping is mainly for freight, with passenger and car ferries operating between Victoria and Tasmania. Australia has one of the highest proportions of personal computer and mobile telephone ownership in the world and the Internet takeup rate is second only to the USA. There are about 400 radio stations in Australia, over half of them commercial, and a number of television channels. Australia has 12 metropolitan daily newspapers, 38 regional dailies and 138 suburban papers. Thirty Australian magazines have a circulation of between 80,000 and a million copies per issue. Back to top Australia uses the AC 240 volts 50 cycle electrical system, although many homes also have 110 volt sockets for electric razors. Back to top In Australia approximately 70% of people either own their own home with or without a loan. The average home consists of three/four bedrooms, combined lounge/dining room, kitchen, bathroom, toilet and separate laundry room. The greatest proportion of Australians live in detached bungalows standing in their own gardens, often with a backyard swimming pool. A combination of both timber and brick dwellings provides character and individuality in most neighbourhoods. Prices of houses vary considerably depending on factors such as locality, distance from the city and availability of services. Rental accommodation sought through real estate agents is usually for a fixed period of time. A bond equivalent to one month's rent and two weeks rent in advance is usual.
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
