Australia’s land mass of nearly 7.7 million km² makes it the sixth largest country in the world. It’s about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 percent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world – only two people per square kilometer.

Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. It is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying island. The mainland is the largest island and the world’s smallest, flattest continent.

Australia’s first inhabitants, the Aboriginal people, are believed to have migrated from some unknown point in Asia to Australia between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago

While Captain James Cook is credited with Australia’s European discovery in 1770, a Portuguese possibly first sighted the country, while the Dutch are known to have explored the coastal regions in 1640s.

The first European settlement of Australia was in January 1788, when the first fleet set sailed into Botany Bay under the command of Captain Arthur Philip. At the time of European discovery and settlement, up to one million Aboriginal people lived across the continent as hunters and gatherers. They were scattered in 300 clans and spoke 250 languages and 700 dialects.

Location
Australia is an island continent and the world's oldest and sixth largest country (7,682,300 sq km). It is lying between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The country is approximately 4,000 km from east to west and 3,200 km from north to south, with a coastline 36,735 km long. Canberra is Australia's capital city.

Land Area
Total: 7,741,220 sq km
Land: 7,682,300 sq km
Water: 58,920 sq km
Note: includes Lord Howe Island and MacquarieIsland

Climate
There are two climatic zones in Australia. Approximately 40% of Australia is in the Tropical Zone - this is north above the Tropic of Capricorn. The cities of Cairns, Townsville and Darwin lie in this zone. The remaining areas of Australia lie in the Temperate Zone, including Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth.

Australia's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere:  
Spring - September to November
Summer - December to February
Fall / autumn - March to May
Winter - June to August

Population
As of May 2011, Australia's population is roughly 23 million people, which plays a defining role in the cultural landscape. Today, more than 20 percent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 percent are of mixed cultural origin. The ethnic group was divided into white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and others 1%.

Source: Australia Bureau of Statistics

Religion

Australia is a predominantly Christian country, with more than 5 million Catholics and almost 4 million Anglicans. Of the 5 million Catholics in Australia around 1.5 million live in the greater Sydney region. Language

English - the international business language - is Australia's national language. And, as a modern multicultural country, there are comprehensive multi-lingual services available for international business travelers who do not speak English.

Politics
The commonwealth Government, also known as the Australian Government or the Federal Government, passes laws, which affect the whole country. It is called Federal parliamentary democracy and a commonwealth realm.
The administrative division constitutes 6 states and 2 territories. They are Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria, Western Australia. The cabinet is comprised of prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers.

Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron ore, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources.

Australia also has a large services sector and is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Key tenets of Australia's trade policy include support for open trade and the successful culmination of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, particularly for agriculture and services.

The economy grew by 1.2% during 2009 - the best performance in the OECD - and by 3.3% in 2010. Unemployment, originally expected to reach 8-10%, peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and fell to 5.1% in 2010. As a result of an improved economy, the budget deficit is expected to peak below 4.2% of GDP and the government could return to budget surpluses as early as 2015.

Australia was one of the first advanced economies to raise interest rates, with seven rate hikes between October 2009 and November 2010. The GILLARD government is focused on raising Australia's economic productivity to ensure the sustainability of growth, and continues to manage the symbiotic, but sometimes tense, economic relationship with China.

Australia is engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks and ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with China, Japan, and Korea.

GDP (Purchasing power parity): $889.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP (Real growth rate): 3.3% (2010 est.)
GDP – per capita (PPP): $41,300 (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2010 est.)

Source: CIA The World Fact Book (May 17' 2011)

Australia corporate tax rate
Small business companies, relative to companies generally, will have the current company tax rate of 30 per cent reduced by 2 percentage points from the income year 2012–13.

The Government estimates that the loss to revenue from the approximately 720 000 small business companies involved will be $300 million in 2012–13 and $200 million in 2013–14.

The Government has also agreed to grant approximately 2.4 million small businesses the instant asset write-off tax concession from 1 July 2012. However, a loss to revenue is not recorded in the Budget for this measure until 2013–14.

Accessibility
Getting to Australia is easy. A great number of international airlines provide services to Australia, with smooth connections and competitive fares. The most popular airline for inbound travelers is Australia’s national carrier, Qantas Airways.
Sydney and Melbourne are the most popular gateways for travelers. There are also international terminals in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Darwin, Cairns, and Hobart.

By Flights
Australia's modern international airports in Australia offer fast, efficient service, along with all the facilities a business traveler could want.
Many airlines fly to Australia and prices vary considerably, so it pays to shop around for a flight. Consider the length of the flight and any mandatory stopovers.  Start by contacting the major airlines or your local Aussie Specialist travel agent.  
Australia’s domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Rex and their subsidiaries - serve all state capital cities and regional centers. Competition amongst domestic airlines means that great fares are available.

By Bus/Coach
Coach and bus travel in Australia is comfortable, easy and economical. Coaches generally have air conditioning, reading lights, adjustable seats and videos. Services are frequent, affordable and efficient. Australia’s national coach operator, Greyhound, offer passes to fit every budget.

By Railways
Train travel gives you an insight into Australia’s size and diversity, all from the comfort of your carriage. Scheduled services are a great way to get quickly between our cities and regional centres. Your travelling options range from budget to luxury and a range of rail passes let you see large sections of Australia at an affordable price. For touring by rail, take the classic Indian-Pacific rail trip from Sydney to Perth. Or hop on the legendary Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin, past red desert and the tropical Top End.

By Cruise/Ferries
Many international cruise ships visit Australia’s cities, and there are opportunities to take tours and rejoin the ship or stay longer and fly back home. Most cruise ships visit Australian shores during the summer months.

The Spirit of Tasmania runs a passenger and vehicle ferry service between Melbourne and Tasmania nightly. Extra services are running during summer peak times.  Sealink ferries connect South Australia and Kangaroo Island several times a day.  Ferries connect suburbs in our capital cities – they criss-cross Sydney Harbour, the Swan River in Perth and the Brisbane River in Brisbane.

Currency/Exchange rates
100 US Dollar = 108.7 Australian dollars (AUD)
100 JPY = 1.2233 Australian dollar (AUD)
Exchange rates are updated daily, so rates are not exact. 
 
Electricity
220-240 volts, AC 50Hz.
The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from some other countries so your clients may need an adaptor. If appliances are 110V, your clients may need a voltage converter.

Time Zones
There are three time zones in Australia, running east to west.
Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
Central Standard Time (CST) in South Australia and Northern Territory.
Western Standard Time (WST) operates in Western Australia.  CST is half an hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

Country dialing code:  61

Visa
All foreign nationals travelling to Australia require a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter and spend time in Australia.
New Zealand citizens on New Zealand passports can be issued a visa on arrival.
All other foreign nationals must obtain a visa or an ETA before travelling to Australia.

Visas and ETAs (Electronic Travel Authority)
An ETA is your authority to enter Australia via air or sea.
Unlike traditional visas, there is no stamp or label in your passport, and no need to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application.
If eligible, the ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated by the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).

For more information on obtaining an ETA, Please refer to http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ &
http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration/

Customs & Immigrations

Australia Duty Free:

The following items may be imported into Australia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or cigars.
• 2.25 litres of any alcoholic liquor.
• Articles for personal hygiene and clothing, not including perfume or fur apparel.
• Other goods to a value of A$900 (A$450 if under 18).

Prohibited Imports:
There are very strict regulations against the import of non-prescribed drugs, weapons, firearms, wildlife, domestic animals and foodstuffs (including meat, poultry and dairy; plants or parts of plants [including fruit, nuts and seeds]; animal products [including wool, skins and eggs] and any equipment used with domestic animals) and other potential sources of disease and pestilence (such as vaccines or viruses). There are severe penalties for drug trafficking.
For further details on customs regulations, contact the Australian Customs Service.

Note: The Australian government has introduced limits on the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that can be taken through the screening point for people flying to and from Australia. You may carry these on board in your hand-luggage only if they are no more than 100ml and in a sealed plastic bag. Larger amounts may be taken in your checked-in luggage. Check with your airline before travelling.

More details are available from the Australian Customs Service (website: www.customs.gov.au).

Source of information:
Australia Tourism Board http://www.australia.com/index.aspx
Australian Government http://www.australia.gov.au/
Business Events Australia http://businessevents.australia.com/