2015 Edition

Background

Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 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 Allied effort in World Wars I and II.

In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its location in one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy. Long-term concerns include an aging population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as floods, droughts, and bushfires. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world.

Area

land

7,682,300 sq km

note

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

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

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)

per capita

1,152 cu m/yr (2010)

total

22.58 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%)

Geographic coordinates

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Geography - note

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders; 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

23,780 sq km (2013)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 47.1%

agricultural land

53.4%

forest

19.3%

other

27.3% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

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

note

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

492 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

17.9% (male 2,089,561/female 1,982,719)

15-24 years

13.14% (male 1,533,526/female 1,455,870)

25-54 years

41.67% (male 4,822,083/female 4,658,371)

55-64 years

11.82% (male 1,333,924/female 1,355,347)

65 years and over

15.47% (male 1,628,108/female 1,891,505) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

12.15 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.2% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72.3%

note

percent of women aged 18-44 (2005)

Death rate

7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

22.7%

potential support ratio

4.4% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.9%

youth dependency ratio

28.2%

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

English 25.9%, Australian 25.4%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 6.4%, Italian 3.3%, German 3.2%, Chinese 3.1%, Indian 1.4%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.2%, other 15.8% (includes Australian aboriginal .5%), unspecified 5.4%

note

data represents self-identified ancestry, over a third of respondents reported two ancestries (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

9.4% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.17% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

28,200 (2013 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

female

4.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

4.67 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.37 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 76.8%, Mandarin 1.6%, Italian 1.4%, Arabic 1.3%, Greek 1.2%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.1%, other 10.4%, unspecified 5% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

84.74 years (2015 est.)

male

79.7 years

total population

82.15 years

Major urban areas - population

Sydney 4.505 million; Melbourne 4.203 million; Brisbane 2.202 million; Perth 1.861 million; Adelaide 1.256 million; CANBERRA (capital) 423,000 (2015)

Median age

female

39 years (2014 est.)

male

37.5 years

total

38.3 years

Nationality

adjective

Australian

noun

Australian(s)

Net migration rate

5.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29.9% (2014)

Physicians density

3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

22,751,014 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.07% (2015 est.)

Religions

Protestant 30.1% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%, other Protestant 1.3%), Catholic 25.3% (Roman Catholic 25.1%, other Catholic .2%), other Christian 2.9%, Orthodox 2.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%, Hindu 1.3%, other 1.3%, none 22.3%, unspecified 9.3% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

21 years (2012)

male

20 years

total

20 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

11% (2012 est.)

male

12.4%

total

11.7%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

89.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

daylight saving time

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

geographic coordinates

35 16 S, 149 08 E

name

Canberra

note

Australia has three time zones

time difference

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

Constitution

9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901; amended several times, last in 1977; note - a referendum to amend the constitution to reflect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 has been extended to March 2018 by a 2015 bill (2013)

Country name

conventional long form

Commonwealth of Australia

conventional short form

Australia

note

the name Australia is derived from the Latin "australis" meaning southern; the Australian landmass was long referred to as "Terra Australis" or the Southern Land

Dependent areas

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Morrell John BERRY (since 25 September 2013)

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

chancery

1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY (since 7 February 2010)

consulate(s) general

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

FAX

[1] (202) 797-3168

telephone

[1] (202) 797-3000

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general

chief of state

Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)

elections/appointments

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 majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Anthony John "Tony" ABBOTT (since 18 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Warren TRUSS (since 18 September 2013)

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), ICCt, 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), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island

Legal system

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch

description

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 from each of the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years)

election results

Senate NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 53.45%, Australian Labor Party 46.55%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 90 (Liberal 58, Liberal National 22, Nationals 9, Country Liberals 1), Australian Labor Party 55, Australian Greens Party 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Palmer United Party 1, independents 2

elections

Senate - last held on 7 September 2013; House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2013 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2016)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Peter Dodds McCORMICK

name

"Advance Australia Fair"

note

adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not 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)

National holiday

Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 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; national colors: green, gold

Political parties and leaders

Australian Greens Party [Christine MILNE]

Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN]

Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]

Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]

Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER]

Liberal National Party of Queensland [Campbell NEWMAN]

Liberal Party [Tony ABBOTT]

National Party of Australia [Warren TRUSS]

Palmer United Party [Clive PALMER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

expenditures

$521.3 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$493.1 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (28 February 2013)

4.35% (31 December 2010)

note

this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6% (31 December 2014 est.)

6.18% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$39.88 billion (2014 est.)

-$43.82 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$1.48 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.459 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.3 (2008)

35.2 (1994)

Economy - overview

Following two decades of continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system, Australia enters 2015 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by a sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Although demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has grown rapidly, creating a channel for resources investments and growth in commodity exports, sharp drops in current prices have already impacted growth. The services sector is the largest part of the Australian economy, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs. Australia was comparatively unaffected by the global financial crisis as the banking system has remained strong and inflation is under control. Australia has benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, although this trend could reverse or slow due to falling global commodity prices. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, 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 is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the World Trade Organization, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia entered into free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Republic of Korea and Japan, and concluded an FTA with China, in 2014, adding to existing FTAs with Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with India and Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the ten ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and India. Australia is also working on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

1.098 (2014 est.)

1.0358 (2013 est.)

0.97 (2012 est.)

0.9695 (2011 est.)

1.0902 (2010)

Exports

$250.8 billion (2014 est.)

$254.8 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 36.1%, Japan 18%, South Korea 7.3% (2013)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.3%

government consumption

18.1%

household consumption

55.7%

imports of goods and services

-21.8%

investment in fixed capital

26.7%

investment in inventories

-0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3.7%

industry

28.9%

services

67.4% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$46,400 (2014 est.)

$45,200 (2013 est.)

$44,300 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.7% (2014 est.)

2.1% (2013 est.)

3.6% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.444 trillion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.095 trillion (2014 est.)

$1.066 trillion (2013 est.)

$1.045 trillion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

24% of GDP (2014 est.)

24.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

24.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

25.4% (1994)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$245.9 billion (2014 est.)

$250.5 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 19.5%, US 10.4%, Japan 7.8%, Singapore 5.4%, Germany 4.7%, Thailand 4.7%, South Korea 4.2% (2013)

Industrial production growth rate

2.1% (2014 est.)

Industries

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2014 est.)

2.5% (2013 est.)

Labor force

12.37 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

3.6%

industry

21.1%

services

75% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.286 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.198 trillion (31 December 2011)

$1.455 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

34.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

33.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$65.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$52.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.661 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

$1.648 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$482.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$471.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$646.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$593.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.247 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.11 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$269.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$244.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2014 est.)

5.7% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

420.6 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

261,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

503,100 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

410,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.433 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

226.9 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

79.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

13.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

7.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

61.94 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

239.7 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

35.65 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

32.56 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

6.517 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

61.7 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.219 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.083 million bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

70,810 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

386,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

659,700 bbl/day (2012 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 users

percent of population

89.6% (2014 est.)

total

20.2 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telephone system

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 - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

41 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

9.19 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

138 (2014 est.)

total

31 million

Television broadcast stations

104 (1997)

Airports

480 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

155

2,438 to 3,047 m

14

914 to 1,523 m

155

over 3,047 m

11

total

349

under 914 m

14 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

16

914 to 1,523 m

101

total

131

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 8, cargo 7, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 5

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

condensate/gas 637 km; gas 30,054 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,609 km; oil/gas/water 110 km; refined products 72 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

container port(s) (TEUs)

Brisbane (1,004,983), Melbourne (2,467,967), Sydney (2,028,074)(2011)

dry bulk cargo port(s)

Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore)

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Darwin, Karratha, Burrup, Curtis Island

major seaport(s)

Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Kembla, Sydney

Railways

broad gauge

3,727 km 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified)

narrow gauge

14,513.5 km 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

18,727 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified)

total

36,967.5 km

Roadways

paved

356,343 km

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

females age 16-49

5,116,722 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,316,464

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

4,239,985 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,411,958

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

135,800 (2010 est.)

male

143,565

Military branches

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army; Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force); Royal Australian Air Force; Joint Operations Command (JOC) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.71% of GDP (2012)

1.84% of GDP (2011)

1.71% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces (2013)

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 the 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

7,675 (Afghanistan) (2014)