Welcome to Australia Blog

Is Australia a Rich Country?

Australian Sun, Sae, Sand.

Sun, sea and sand has attracted millions of people to apply for visas over the last few years.

Is Australia really as prosperous as many would have you believe?

Australia in Numbers

These are the numbers for Australia (as per 2009):

When it comes to population, Australia ranks 55 in the world, after Sri Lanka and before Madagascar, with 21.3 million people. About population growth rate, Australia is 112th with 1.20%, same as Algeria. It is 164th for birth rate with 12.47%, which is slightly below France. It is 144th for death rate, which is actually a good news, better than most European countries, with 6.74%.

Life expectancy at birth is 81.63 years, which makes Australia 6th in the world!… after Hong Kong but before Canada.

Net migration rate is 6.23%, which makes it 14th in the world, after Andorra but before Singapore.

Australia is 86th in the world for eductation expenditure… Not so good, even though Australian education rates very well within developed countries.

It is 19 in the world for GDP (purchasing power parity) after Turkey and before Taiwan, with $819 trillion. it is 96 for GDP real growth rate, with 0.80%… and it is 23 for GDP per capita, with $38,500. These are very good numbers for a fairly small population.

Australia is 52nd for unemployment rate with 5.70%. It is 62nd for inflation rate, with 1.90%.

Australia ranks 17 for electricity production and 16 in the world for electricity consumption, after Taiwan and before South Africa. It is 31st for oil production and 20th for oil consumption. It is 36th for oil exports and 18th for oil imports… don’t ask. Australia is 36th for oil proved-reserves. It is 19th for natural gas production and 26th for natural gas consumption. It is 11th for natural gas exports and 30th for natural gas imports. It is 28th for natural gas proved-reserves. Australia is 23rd in the world for exports.

Australia is 23rd for foreign exchange and gold reserves, with $44.5 billions. It is 11th for external debt, with $920 billions. Australia is 11th in the world for market value of publicly traded shares, after Russia and before Switzerland, with $1.3 trillion.

Australia is 36th for number of mobile phones in use, with 22.1 million, which is more that one per capita. It is 10th in the world for number of Internet hosts, with 11.8 millions of them. It is 24th in the world for number of Internet users, with 15.2 millions.

Australia is 17th in the world for the number of airports, with 464 of them, which comes just after France. Australia is 7th in the world the the amount of railway, just after Germany and before Argentina. It is 9th in the world for the amount of roadways, after Russia and before Spain.

In summary, good health and good wealth in Australia…

These numbers come from CountriesLE free iPhone application.

Stay out of the Sun!

But that’s the reason we moved to Australia! I’ve dreamt to be living in warmer climes…enjoying outdoor living, going to the beach every weekend.

Sharks in Shallow Water

When we first moved to Australia, like any new migrant we had a few reservations about swimming in the sea. You’ve seen the film JAWS……you know what I mean.

Australia’s Most Affordable Towns

The most affordable towns in Victoria are, not too suprisingly, all country towns:

6 Things You Should Know About Moving To Queensland.

When thinking of moving to Australia it is worth weighing up the pros and cons with the knowledge you have available.

Life’s A Beach

With the Pacific, the Indian and the Southern Ocean, we’re surrounded. Many beaches have the white silky sands, warm blue seas and interesting marine life, others are muddy flats where mangroves grow!

The beach culture of Australia is celebrated in fashion, art, lifestyle, sports and many careers. For Tips on enjoying the Oceans: http://www.slsa.asn.au/

Facts: Australia has the most beaches in the world and 80% of the population live near the coast, yet beaches aren’t crowded.

9 Reasons to Enjoy Living in Australia

If you are thinking of moving to Australia and are making your list of pull factors, I have a few suggestions to add….

We’ve been here for 5 years now and these reasons to love life here in Brisbane have stayed the same:

1. The Climate – warm most months of the year with only a few intensely hot and cold weeks.
2. Space – houses with land around them, green park lands and a sense of openness in the outback.
3. Low population – little traffic congestion, parking problems, empty beaches.
4. The Economy is still ok – we’ll see how we go this next year!
5. Friendly Communities & plenty activities for all the family.
6. Good Schools for children- well rated internationally.
7. Low Crime Rate.
8. Low unemployment.
9. Nature and wild life – bush camping, fishing and four-wheel-driving on the beach.