Australia - Profile & Facts

 

Country Name 

Commonwealth of Australia

Government type 

Federal Parliamentary Democracy

Administrative divisions 

6 States and 2 Territories: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia (States); Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory

National holidays

Australia Day, 26 January / ANZAC Day : 25 April

Fiscal year

1 July – 30 June

Chief of State

Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

Governor General 

QUENTIN BRYCE AC (since 5 September 2008)

Prime Minister 

Mr. Kevin Rudd (since 3 December 2007)

Population

21, 262,641 (July 2009 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975 / female 1,923,828)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/ female 7,121,613)

65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329 / female  1,565,153)   (2009 est.)

Net migration rate 

6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)

GDP

(Purchasing power parity)

$800.2 billion (2008 est.)

Agriculture-products

Wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry

Industries

Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Major Export

(commodities)

Coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment

Major Export – partners

Japan 22.2%, China 14.6%, South Korea 8.2%, India 6.1%, US 5.5%, NZ 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2008)

Major Imports

Machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products.

Major Import – partners

China 15.4%, US 12%, Japan 9.1%, Singapore 7%, Germany 5%, UK 4.3%, Thailand 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1%   (2008)

Natural resources

Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum.

Languages

English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, other 8.2%, Unspecified 5.7%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%

GDP – composition

By sector 

Agriculture: 3.4%, Industry: 26.8%, Services: 69.8% (2008 est.)

Ethnic groups

Whites 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Ports and terminals 

Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kemble, Port Walcott, Sydney

Climate & Seasons

Summer – December to February

Autumn – March to May

Winter – June to August

Spring – September to November

 

                                                                               

INDIA AND AUSTRALIA

Time difference

 

Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane (Eastern)              -           IST + 4.5 hours

Adelaide (South Australia)                                                    -           IST + 4 hours

Perth (Western Australia)                                                      -           IST + 2.5 hours

 

Except for Western Australia, there will be an additional difference of one hour during Summer.