Country data
Location: Central between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean, Europe
Time zone: CET – 7 to – 9 (during summer time CET – 8 to – 10)
Total area: 7,741,220 km²
Land area: 7,682,300 km²
Water area: 58,920 km²
Length of the state border: 0 km
Coastline: 25,760 km
Capital: Canberra
> Territories (with capital): 8
New South Wales (Sydney / Canberra), Northern Territory (Darwin), Queensland (Brisbane), South Australia (Adeleide), Tasmania (Hobart), Victoria (Melbourne), Western Australia (Perth)
Electric current: 220/240 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 61 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Population
Population: approx. 22.5 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.1% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 3
Life expectancy: 80 (male), 85 (female)
Official language: English
Religions:
- 29% Protestants
- 25% Roman Catholic
- 2% Buddhists
- 2% Muslim
- 42% other
Climate
The tropical north is replaced in the interior by a moderate desert climate and changes to a high mountain climate in the south.
The seasons are opposite to those in Europe.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Australian dollar (AUD)
Division: 1 dollar = 100 cents
ATMs: widely available in the larger cities.
International credit cards: These are accepted by many hotels and shops in the larger cities.
Regulations: Foreign currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts. A declaration is required from a total value of AUD 10,000.
There is no limit to the amount of local currency that can be imported and exported up to AUD 2,000. If a higher amount is to be exported, approval must first be obtained from customs.
In many small towns and in the central inland areas, you almost always have to pay cash.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 50 cigarettes or 50 g of tobacco products
- 2 liters of alcoholic beverages
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Travel advice
In the south and east of the country there are frequent bush and forest fires in the hot summer months.
Please observe the safety instructions from the local authorities.
Behavioral advice
There are isolated cases of pickpockets and car break-ins in the major tourist centers. You should therefore not show valuable things visibly.
Otherwise, Australia is a fairly safe country to travel to.
Economy
The strongest industries have long been mineral extraction and agriculture.
The development of the technical industry and the tourism sector are being promoted by the strong state funding.
Industries: chemistry, ore mining, industrial and transport accessories, agriculture, food production, steel
Natural resources: diamonds, natural gas, coal, copper, nickel, silver
Land use:
- Usable land: 6%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 54%
- Forests: 19%
- other: 21%