Living in Australia Guide (Vivendo na Austrália)
1. Overview of Australia
1.1 General Tips and Advice
To learn more about Australia, you will need to:
. visit various websites and read information from a variety of sources
. speak to various people and ask questions to seek different viewpoints
. investigate particular topics that interest you
1.2 Useful Links and Resources
1.2.1 Population
Australia's population reached 22.2 million by the end of 2009, growing by 432,600 people over the year. Net overseas migration accounted for 64% of this growth, with the remaining 36% due to natural increase (births minus deaths).
The estimated resident populations for the states and territories at 31 December 2009 were as follows:
* New South Wales 7,191,500;
* Victoria 5,496,400;
* Queensland 4,473,000;
* South Australia 1,633,900;
* Western Australia 2,270,300;
* Tasmania 505,400;
* Northern Territory 227,700; and
* Australian Capital Territory 354,900.
(Released June 2010)
* 22.2% of Australians were born overseas and 70.9% were born in Australia.
* 14% of people were born in non-English speaking countries compared to 11.5% who were born in English speaking countries other than Australia.
* The largest overseas born group comprised people born in the United Kingdom (5.2% of the population) followed by New Zealand (2.0%), then China (1.04%) and Italy (1.0%). No other country accounted for more than 1%.
(2006 Census)
It is important to remember that in most locations across Australia, we are a very multicultural society with people from many countries living here either as permanent residents, citizens, students or other visa holders.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.abs.gov.au
1.2.2 Languages
The National Language is English.
The 2006 Census recorded that almost 400 different languages were spoken in homes across Australia. Close to 79% of Australia's population speak only English at home. The six most commonly spoken languages other than English were Italian, Greek, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese with speakers of these languages together comprising 7% of the total population.
The National Census is conducted every five years.
International English Language
http://www.ielts.org
Australian Bureau of Statistics Census
http://www.abs.gov.au/census
1.2.3 Citizenship
More then 4 million people have become Australian citizens since 1949.
Australian Citizenship
http://www.citizenship.gov.au
1.2.4 Religions
Australia has no official state religion and people are free to practise any religion they choose, as long they obey the law. Australians are also free not to have a religion.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade About Australia - Religion
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/religion.html
1.2.5 Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Royal Australian Mint
http://www.ramint.gov.au
1.2.6 Timezones
With a land mass close to 7.7 million square kilometres, Australia is the world’s sixth largest country and is divided into three separate time zones.
Daylight Saving Time (where clocks are advanced one hour during the warmer months) is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory and begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the first Sunday in April.
australia.gov.au About Australia - Time
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/time
1.2.7 Weather
The weather is a very popular topic of discussion in Australia - keep up with the latest online.
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
http://www.bom.gov.au
1.2.8 Indigenous Australians
The first Australians that lived on mainland Australia, Tasmania and the Torres Strait Islands (between Australia and Papua New Guinea) are known as Aborigines (pronounced Abb-or-idge-en-ees). It is believed that they have lived here for over 40,000 years.
You will regularly find on Government forms a question that asks if you are of 'Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.' Today, Indigenous people make up less than 3% of the current Australian population. Indigenous Australians continue to live throughout Australia including cities, towns, the coast, rural areas and the outback. There is no single Indigenous culture but a mixture of contemporary and traditional thoughts, ways and practices.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander links
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander links
http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/library/links.html
1.2.9 Migration to Australia Statistics
Australia was 'discovered' by European Settlers in 1788. Now we have an extremely multicultural society.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship - Statistical Publications http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Australia in brief
A diverse people
http://www.dfat.gov.au/aib/society.html
1.2.10 Police in Australia
Australians consider it safe to contact the police whenever they need assistance with criminal or security matters.
In a life or property threatening emergency, dial 000 (triple zero) from any telephone.
Australian Federal Police
http://www.afp.gov.au
Queensland Police
http://www.police.qld.gov.au
New South Wales Police
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory Police
http://www.police.nt.gov.au
South Australia Police
http://www.police.sa.gov.au
Tasmania Police
http://www.police.tas.gov.au
Victoria Police
http://www.police.vic.gov.au
Western Australian Police
http://www.police.wa.gov.au
There are also several other law enforcement agencies in Australia and the following link provides a range of basic information and relevant links.
australia.gov.au - Law and Justice
http://australia.gov.au/topics/law-and-justice
If you are planning to bring certain items to Australia, you will need to ensure that you comply with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (particularly in relation to pets).
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis
1.3 Information available in Brazilian Portuguese or Spanish
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/
Provides links to Living in Australia guides for each state/territory in multiple languages as well as settlement, cultural diversity and Australian values. (Available in Portuguese)
Study in Australia - Living in Australia
http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/LivingInAustralia/LivingInAustralia.htm (Available in Portuguese)
1.4 Additional information suggestions
1.4.1 Summary websites with information about Australia
Australian Government websites are generally excellent sources of impartial information about Australia and we recommend that you have a look at these websites to learn more about Australia.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - About Australia http://www.dfat.gov.au/aib/index.html
This is a very comprehensive summary of many aspects of Australia and is an excellent introduction to the basics of Australia.
Australia.gov.au - About Australia
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia
Similar to the above Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Culture and Recreation Portal
http://www.culture.gov.au
This portal links to a wide variety of information and an excellent search facility.
Charles Sturt University Guide to Australia http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/contents.html
This is a compilation of submitted links so it may provide some quirky and interesting sites to browse.
Australian Tourism - About Australia
http://www.australia.com/about/AboutAustralia.aspx
This link has sections on Australia's history, culture, facts, films, books and music.
1.5 Personal Assistance
If you are seeking further advice, you need to:
1) Read this Key Area section in full
2) Follow the links and read the resources provided
3) Prepare written questions that you can email to someone who can provide more assistance
4) Follow up with a phone call (maximum of 10 minutes) before seeking additional professional advice (paid or unpaid) from at least three sources if you have complex issues to resolve.
If you are from a Brazilian background, we recommend that you send your initial email questions on the topic of 'Overview of Australia' to
Alba Chliakhtine alba.chliakhtine@gmail.com
Telephone +61 407 831 722
Last update: 28th June 2010
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