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Some information about Australia has been set out below. This should give you some idea of what it would be like to live in this country, and help you make the best decisions about immigration .
General
Australia has a population of about 20 million people. Australia consists of a federation of 6 States (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia) plus 2 large Territories (Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory), and some smaller Territories (Cocos, Christmas and Norfolk Islands and areas of Antarctica).
Geography
Australia has a land area of approximately 7.7 million square kilometres, which makes it about the same size as China, the USA or Canada. Compared to most countries distances between population centres can be huge. A great variety of landscapes can be found in the country from tropical rainforests, to snow capped mountains, open plains, to deserts. One third of Australia is classified as desert, and another one third is semi desert. Australia has a large number of unique animals and unusual vegetation.
Structure of Government
Australia has 3 levels of government - Federal (National), state and local
Federal Government - (sometimes called the Commonwealth
Government) makes laws and administers defence, welfare, immigration,
taxation, international relations and other areas affecting the whole
country. The parliament is based in Canberra and consists of an Upper House (Senate) and Lower House
(House of Representatives) with the Prime Minster
as the Leader. Laws and major policy decisions affecting the whole
country are made in the House of Representatives, with the Senate acting as
a place of review of decisions.
State Governments - make laws and administer transport,
police, education, land, and other areas affecting the state. The
parliaments for each are based in the capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart). In each case the Lower House (Legislative Assembly)
makes laws and policy decisions, and the Upper House (called the Legislative
Council - except in Queensland where it does not exist) working as a house
of review.
Territorian Governments - Single House (Assembly)
presided over by a Speaker with the Chief Minster as the Head of Government.
Territory governments operate in a manner similar to state governments.
Local government - these are usually referred to as councils.
There are many in each state and they mostly deal with planning, parks, and
local roads. Councils are presided over by a Mayor or President.
Elections for all levels of government every 2, 3 and 4 years
depending on the particular government body. In most elections voting
is compulsory.