Australia is a country, and continent, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Its
major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal, but its capital,
Canberra, is inland and nicknamed the "Bush Capital." The country is known for its
Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback (interior desert wilderness)
and unique animal species including kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.

Capital: Canberra

Dialing code: +61

Population: 23.13 million (2013) World Bank

Currency: Australian dollar

Prime minister: Malcolm Turnbull

Australia (/ɒˈstreɪliə/, /ə-/, colloquially /-jə/),[10][11] officially known as the

Commonwealth of Australia,[12] is an Oceanian country comprising the mainland of the
Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the
world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighbouring countries include Papua New
Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north; theSolomon Islands and Vanuatu to the
north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

For about 50,000 years[13] before the first British settlement in the late 18th century,[14][15]
Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians,[16] who spoke languages grouped into
roughly 250 language groups.[17][18] After the European discovery of the continent by
Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770
and initially settled throughpenal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from
26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was
explored and an additional five self-governing crown colonies were established. On 1
January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Since
federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that
functions as a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising
six states and several territories. The population of 24 million[5] is highly urbanised and
heavily concentrated in the eastern states and on the coast.[19]

Australia is a developed country and one of the wealthiest in the world, with the world's
12th-largest economy. In 2014 Australia had the world's fifth-highest per capita income.
[20]
Australia's military expenditure is the world's 13th-largest. With the second-highest
human development index globally, Australia ranks highly in many international
comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic
freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights.[21] Australia is a member
of the United Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organization, Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Name of Australia

The name Australia (pronounced [əˈstɹæɪljə, -liə] in Australian English,[22]) is derived

from the Latin Terra Australis ("southern land") a name used for putative lands in the
southern hemisphere since ancient times.[23] The earliest recorded use of the
wordAustralia in English was in 1625 in "A note of Australia del Espíritu Santo, written
by Sir Richard Hakluyt", published by Samuel Purchas in Hakluytus Posthumus, a
corruption of the original Spanish name "Austrialia del Espíritu Santo" (Southern Land of
the Holy Spirit)[24][25][26] for an island in Vanuatu.[27] The Dutch adjectival form
Australische was used in a Dutch book in Batavia(Jakarta) in 1638, to refer to the newly
discovered lands to the south.[28] The first time that the name Australia appears to have
been officially used was in a despatch to Lord Bathurst of 4 April 1817 in which
Governor Lachlan Macquarie acknowledges the receipt of Capt. Flinders' charts of
Australia.[29] On 12 December 1817, Macquarie recommended to the Colonial Office that
it be formally adopted.[30] In 1824, the Admiralty agreed that the continent should be
known officially as Australia.[31]

Australia has one of the world's most highly urbanised populations with the majority
living in metropolitan cities on the coast. (Pictured: Gold Coast beach and skyline,
Queensland).

For generations, the vast majority of immigrants came from the British Isles, and the
people of Australia are still mainly of British or Irish ethnic origin. In the 2011 Australian
census, the most commonly nominated ancestry was English (36.1%), followed by
Australian (35.4%),[224] Irish (10.4%), Scottish (8.9%), Italian (4.6%), German (4.5%),
Chinese (4.3%), Indian (2.0%), Greek (1.9%), and Dutch(1.7%).[225]

Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I,[226] much of this
increase from immigration. Following World War II and through to 2000, almost 5.9
million of the total population settled in the country as new immigrants, meaning that
nearly two out of every seven Australians were born in another country. Most immigrants
are skilled, but the immigration quota includes categories for family members and
refugees. By 2050, Australia's population is currently projected to reach around 42
million. Nevertheless, its population density, 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometre,
remains among the lowest in the world. As such, Australians have more living space per
person than the inhabitants of any other nation.
In 2011, 24.6% of Australians were born elsewhere and 43.1% of people had at least one
overseas-born parent;[231] the five largest immigrant groups were those from the United
Kingdom, New Zealand, China, India, and Vietnam.[232] Following the abolition of the
White Australia policy in 1973, numerous government initiatives have been established to
encourage and promote racial harmony based on a policy of multiculturalism.[233] In
2005–06, more than 131,000 people emigrated to Australia, mainly from Asia and
Oceania.[234] The migration target for 2012–13 is 190,000,[235] compared to 67,900 in
1998–99.[236]

The Indigenous population—Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders—was counted at

548,370 (2.5% of the total population) in 2011,[237] a significant increase from 115,953 in
the 1976 census.[238] The increase is partly due to many people with Indigenous heritage
previously having been overlooked by the census due to undercount and cases where their
Indigenous status had not been recorded on the form. Indigenous Australians experience
higher than average rates of imprisonment and unemployment, lower levels of education,
and life expectancies for males and females that are, respectively, 11 and 17 years lower
than those of non-indigenous Australians.[222][239][240] Some remote Indigenous
communities have been described as having "failed state"-like conditions.[241]

In common with many other developed countries, Australia is experiencing a

demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of
working age. In 2004, the average age of the civilian population was 38.8 years.[242] A
large number of Australians (759,849 for the period 2002–03;[243] 1 million or 5% of the
total population in 2005[244]) live outside their home country.

Aboriginal spirituality and beliefs

Aboriginal spirituality is inextricably linked to land, “it’s like picking up a

piece of dirt and saying this is where I started and this is where I’ll go. The
land is our food, our culture, our spirit and identity.”
Dreamtime and Dreaming are not the same thing. Dreaming is the
environment the Aboriginal people lived in and it still exists today “all
around us”. None of the hundreds of Aboriginal languages contains a word
for “time”.

CULTURAL IMPERATIVES
 Do use the seat belts while driving in Australia, which is mandatory. If you are
cycling then you must wear a helmet
 Australians generally move to a first-name basis quickly. Still, wait to use first names
until invited to do so.
 Australians take punctuality seriously. If possible, arrive fifteen minutes early for a
business meeting.
 Australians dislike one-upmanship. Don’t overplay qualifications, rank or titles.
 Use titles, Mr., Mrs., and Miss when first introduced.
 Do use the seat belts while driving in Australia, which is mandatory. If you are
cycling then you must wear a helmet
 Do sit in the front of the taxi driver which is customary for men in Australia, but a
woman travelling alone should sit in the back left passenger seat of the car

CULTURAL ELECTIVES
 Do not blow your nose in public which is socially unaccepted
 Do not be offended when you are addressed by your 1st name. In Australia first
names are used both in professional greetings and business correspondence.
 Professional titles are not prominent in Australia business culture, and are sometimes
dismissed as pretentious.
 Do not bring your prohibited items, such as meat, package, dairy products or fresg
fruits and vegetables.
 Do carry a list of emergency phone numbers and your embassy contact information
 Do bring you own beer at a restaurant except for more upscale restaurants. Bringing
your own beer in acceptable and cheaper.

CULTURAL EXCLUSIVES
 Do not visit without appointment. Unannounced visits are not part of Australian
culture; always make a call before you wish to meet the people.
 Do not eat, drink and smoke on public transports, most stores and public buildings.
 Do not forget to carry photocopies of your identity and other essentials docs
wherever you go and leave copies with trust family back home.
 Do not go to prohibited places unless you are approved or addressed to go to.
 Do not throw your garbage anyware

AUSTRALIAN DOS AND DON'TS

*DO’S
* Do not touch, pat or hug other men in public which is considered socially
unacceptable

* Do not be surprised if you are asked to bring your own beer and meet for the grill when
invited to a barbeque in Australia. Barbeques are big part of Australian culture,people will
typically bring their own beer or wine for their own consumption

* Do not be offended when you are addressed by your 1st name. In Australia first names
are used both in professional greetings and business correspondence. Professional titles
are not prominent in Australia business culture, and are sometimes dismissed as
pretentious.

* Do not blow your nose in public which is socially unaccepted

DONT’S

* Do not be offended when you are addressed by your 1st name. In Australia first names
are used both in professional greetings and business correspondence. Professional titles
are not prominent in Australia business culture, and are sometimes dismissed as
pretentious.

* Do not blow your nose in public which is socially unaccepted

Etiquettes: Meeting and Greeting

 Shake hands with everyone present upon meeting and before leaving. Allow women
to offer their hands first.
 Women generally do not shake hands with other women.
 Use titles, Mr., Mrs., and Miss when first introduced.
 Australians generally move to a first-name basis quickly. Still, wait to use first names
until invited to do so.
 Academic or job-related titles are downplayed

Body Language

 To beckon a waiter use a quiet hand motion.

 When yawning, cover your mouth and excuse yourself.
 Winking at women is considered rude.
 The "V" sign (made with index and middle fingers, palm facing inward) is a very
vulgar gesture. The "thumbs up" gesture is also considered obscene.

Corporate Culture

 Personal relationships are important in the Australian business world. Connections

are valued. An introduction by an established representative may be helpful in
establishing a relationship with an Australian firm.
 Australians take punctuality seriously. If possible, arrive fifteen minutes early for a
business meeting.
 Australians will quickly get down to business. Communications will be direct, good-
humored and to the point.
 Australian businesspeople tend to be pragmatic, efficient and profit-oriented. They
appreciate straight-forward, open presentations.
 Australians dislike one-upmanship. Don’t overplay qualifications, rank or titles.
 Negotiations proceed quickly. Bargaining is not customary. Proposals should be
presented with acceptable terms. Leave some allowance for some give and take.
 Australians will often negotiate major issues without over-emphasis on details.
However, contracts are generally detailed and firm.

 Personal relationships are important in the Australian business world. Connections

are valued. An introduction by an established representative may be helpful in
establishing a relationship with an Australian firm.
 Australians take punctuality seriously. If possible, arrive fifteen minutes early for a
business meeting.
 Australians will quickly get down to business. Communications will be direct, good-
humored and to the point.
Dining and Entertainment

 Always arrive on time or a few minutes early for a dinner.

 The person who makes the invitation generally pays the bill in restaurants. However,
it isn't unusual for friends to split the bill.
 Australians follow continental-style dining etiquette (fork held in the left hand; knife
in right).
 The guest of honor is generally seated to the right of host.
 Soup should be eaten by moving the spoon away from you, not toward you.
 Lay knife/fork parallel on plate at 5:25 position when finished eating.
 Keep your hands above the table and elbows off the table.
 Offer to help with meal preparation and clean-up when being entertained in a home.
 Do not say "I'm stuffed" after a meal. This means you are pregnant.

DRESS

 Australians wear fashions similar those worn by Europeans and North Americans
 For business, men should wear conservative jackets and ties. During the summer
 months, jackets are often removed. Women should wear skirts and blouses or dresses.

GIFTS

 It is not customary to exchange business gifts during initial meetings.

 When invited to an Australian’s home, bring a small gift (flowers, chocolates, or
books about your home country or region) for your hosts.
 Australia produces excellent wine. Taking wine would be like taking sand to the
desert.