2012 Edition

Background

Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include ageing of the population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as frequent droughts.

Area

7,741,220 sq km 7,682,300 sq km 58,920 sq km includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

total

7,741,220 sq km

water

58,920 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Climate

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Coastline

25,760 km

Elevation extremes

Lake Eyre -15 m Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

highest point

Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

lowest point

Lake Eyre -15 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%) 1,193 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,193 cu m/yr (2000)

total

24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%)

Geographic coordinates

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Geography - note

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the only continent without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world

Irrigated land

25,500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) 0.04% 93.81% (2005)

arable land

6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland)

other

93.81% (2005)

permanent crops

0.04%

Location

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands

volcanism

volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands

Natural resources

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports

Terrain

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Total renewable water resources

398 cu km (1995)

Age structure

18.2% (male 2,050,403/ female 1,946,829) 67.5% (male 7,532,611/ female 7,326,120) 14.4% (male 1,451,869/ female 1,707,744) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

18.2% (male 2,050,403/ female 1,946,829)

15-64 years

67.5% (male 7,532,611/ female 7,326,120)

65 years and over

14.4% (male 1,451,869/ female 1,707,744) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

12.28 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

6.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Health expenditures

8.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.82 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

4.55 deaths/1,000 live births 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

4.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

4.55 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census)

Life expectancy at birth

81.9 years 79.48 years 84.45 years (2012 est.)

female

84.45 years (2012 est.)

total population

81.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major cities - population

Sydney 4.429 million; Melbourne 3.853 million; Brisbane 1.97 million; Perth 1.599 million; CANBERRA (capital) 384,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

37.9 years 37.1 years 38.6 years (2012 est.)

female

38.6 years (2012 est.)

male

37.1 years

total

37.9 years

Nationality

Australian(s) Australian

adjective

Australian

noun

Australian(s)

Net migration rate

5.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.4% (2005)

Physicians density

2.991 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

22,015,576 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.126% (2012 est.)

Religions

Protestant 27.4% (Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%), Catholic 25.8%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7% (2006 Census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

21 years 20 years 21 years (2008)

female

21 years (2008)

male

20 years

total

21 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.6% 12.6% 10.4% (2009)

female

10.4% (2009)

total

11.6%

Urbanization

89% of total population (2010) 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

89% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Capital

Canberra 35 16 S, 149 08 E UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April Australia is divided into three time zones

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April

geographic coordinates

35 16 S, 149 08 E

name

Canberra

time difference

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901

Country name

Commonwealth of Australia Australia

conventional long form

Commonwealth of Australia

conventional short form

Australia

Dependent areas

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jeffrey L. BLEICH Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 APO AP 96549 [61] (02) 6214-5600 [61] (02) 6214-5970 Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

chief of mission

Ambassador Jeffrey L. BLEICH

consulate(s) general

Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

embassy

Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600

FAX

[61] (02) 6214-5970

mailing address

APO AP 96549

telephone

[61] (02) 6214-5600

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 797-3000 [1] (202) 797-3168 Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

chancery

1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 797-3168

telephone

[1] (202) 797-3000

Executive branch

Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) Prime Minister Julia Eileen GILLARD (since 24 June 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Maxwell SWAN (since 24 June 2010) prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general

cabinet

prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers

chief of state

Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Julia Eileen GILLARD (since 24 June 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Maxwell SWAN (since 24 June 2010)

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence

1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general acting on the advice of the government)

Legal system

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) Senate - last held on 21 August 2010; House of Representatives - last held on 21 August 2010 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2013) Senate (effective 1 July 2011) - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 34, Australian Labor Party 31, Australian Greens Party 9, others 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Australian Labor Party 38.1%, Liberal Party 30.4%, Greens Party 11.5%, Liberal National Party of Queensland 9.3%, independents 6.6%, National Party of Australia 3.7%, Country Liberals 0.3%; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 72, Liberal Party 44, Liberal National Party of Queensland 21, National Party of Australia 7, Country Liberals 1, Australian Greens Party 1, independents 4

election results

Senate (effective 1 July 2011) - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 34, Australian Labor Party 31, Australian Greens Party 9, others 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Australian Labor Party 38.1%, Liberal Party 30.4%, Greens Party 11.5%, Liberal National Party of Queensland 9.3%, independents 6.6%, National Party of Australia 3.7%, Country Liberals 0.3%; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 72, Liberal Party 44, Liberal National Party of Queensland 21, National Party of Australia 7, Country Liberals 1, Australian Greens Party 1, independents 4

elections

Senate - last held on 21 August 2010; House of Representatives - last held on 21 August 2010 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2013)

National anthem

"Advance Australia Fair" Peter Dodds McCORMICK adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem did not become used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" is also played at Royal functions (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Peter Dodds McCORMICK

name

"Advance Australia Fair"

National holiday

Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation (five, seven-pointed stars); kangaroo; emu

Political parties and leaders

Australian Greens Party [Christine MILNE]; Australian Labor Party [Julia GILLARD]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Tony ABBOTT]; National Party of Australia [Warren TRUSS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions

other

business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Budget

$516.3 billion $528.3 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$528.3 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$516.3 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.35% (31 December 2010 est.) 3.28% (31 December 2009 est.) this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.3% (31 December 2012 est.) 7.74% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$47.1 billion (2012 est.) -$29.5 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$1.466 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.367 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.5 (2006) 35.2 (1994)

Economy - overview

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. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. 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 Australian economy grew for 17 consecutive years before the global financial crisis. Subsequently, the former RUDD government introduced a fiscal stimulus package worth over US$50 billion to offset the effect of the slowing world economy, while the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to historic lows. These policies - and continued demand for commodities, especially from China - helped the Australian economy rebound after just one quarter of negative growth. The economy grew by 1.4% during 2009 - the best performance in the OECD - by 2.5% in 2010, 2.1% in 2011, and 3.3% in 2012. Unemployment, originally expected to reach 8-10%, peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and fell to 5.2% in 2012. As a result of an improved economy, the budget deficit dropped to 0.8% of GDP in 2012 and the government could return to budget surpluses before 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.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 0.963 (2012 est.) 0.9695 (2011 est.) 1.0902 (2010) 1.2822 (2009) 1.2059 (2008)

Exports

$263.9 billion (2012 est.) $271.1 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment

Exports - partners

China 27.4%, Japan 19.2%, South Korea 8.9%, India 5.8% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

4% 26.6% 69.4% (2012 est.)

agriculture

4%

industry

26.6%

services

69.4% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$42,400 (2012 est.) $41,500 (2011 est.) $41,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2012 est.) 2.1% (2011 est.) 2.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.542 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$960.7 billion (2012 est.) $930 billion (2011 est.) $910.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 25.4% (1994)

highest 10%

25.4% (1994)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$258.1 billion (2012 est.) $242.2 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products

Imports - partners

China 18.5%, US 11.4%, Japan 7.9%, Singapore 6.2%, Germany 4.7% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.1% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2012 est.) 3.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

12.27 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.6% 21.1% 75% (2009 est.)

agriculture

3.6%

industry

21.1%

services

75% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.198 trillion (31 December 2011) $1.455 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.258 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

26.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 26.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$47.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $46.83 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.708 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.501 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$496.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $442.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$598.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $549 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.303 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.061 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$544 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $492.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.2% (2012 est.) 5.1% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

405.3 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

250,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

380,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

482,500 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.426 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

228.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

79% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

13.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

56.94 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

241.5 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

27.56 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

25.53 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

8.102 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

44.99 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

788.6 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.023 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

64,730 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

332,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

674,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2008)

Internet country code

.au

Internet hosts

17.081 million (2012)

Internet users

15.81 million (2009)

Telephone system

excellent domestic and international service domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)

domestic

domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones

general assessment

excellent domestic and international service

international

country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

10.57 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

24.49 million (2011)

Airports

467 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

14 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

146

2,438 to 3,047 m

13

914 to 1,523 m

149

over 3,047 m

11

total

333

under 914 m

14 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

19

914 to 1,523 m

101

total

134

under 914 m

14 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 8, cargo 7, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 5 17 (Canada 5, Germany 2, Singapore 2, South Africa 1, UK 5, US 2) 25 (Bahamas 1, Dominica 1, Fiji 2, Liberia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

17 (Canada 5, Germany 2, Singapore 2, South Africa 1, UK 5, US 2)

registered in other countries

25 (Bahamas 1, Dominica 1, Fiji 2, Liberia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)

total

41

Pipelines

gas 27,900 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,257 km; oil/gas/water 1 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Brisbane, Cairns, Dampier, Darwin, Fremantle, Gladstone, Geelong, Hay Point, Hobart, Jervis Bay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Dalrymple, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Lincoln, Port Walcott, Sydney

Railways

38,445 km 3,355 km 1.600-m gauge 21,674 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified) 9,539 km 1.067-m gauge (2,067 km electrified); 3,877 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

9,539 km 1.067-m gauge (2,067 km electrified); 3,877 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

standard gauge

21,674 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified)

total

38,445 km

Roadways

823,217 km 356,343 km 466,874 km (2011)

total

823,217 km

unpaved

466,874 km (2011)

Waterways

2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

5,316,464 5,116,722 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

5,116,722 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,316,464

Manpower fit for military service

4,411,958 4,239,985 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,239,985 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,411,958

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

143,565 135,800 (2010 est.)

female

135,800 (2010 est.)

male

143,565

Military branches

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006)

Australian Defense Force (ADF)

Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006)

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in noncombat support roles (2012)

Disputes - international

In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; Australia's 2004 submission to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed exclusive economic zone; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing

Illicit drugs

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines