2017 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

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

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

330 m lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m

highest point

Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m

mean elevation

330 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

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

25,500 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

53.4% arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 47.1% 19.3% 27.3% (2011 est.)

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

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

note

Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports

Population - distribution

population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population

Terrain

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Age structure

17.8% (male 2,122,139/female 2,012,670) 12.79% (male 1,524,368/female 1,446,663) 41.45% (male 4,903,130/female 4,725,976) 11.83% (male 1,363,331/female 1,384,036) 16.14% (male 1,736,951/female 2,013,149) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

17.8% (male 2,122,139/female 2,012,670)

15-24 years

12.79% (male 1,524,368/female 1,446,663)

25-54 years

41.45% (male 4,903,130/female 4,725,976)

55-64 years

11.83% (male 1,363,331/female 1,384,036)

65 years and over

16.14% (male 1,736,951/female 2,013,149) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.2% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

67.8% percent of women aged 18-45 (2011)

note

percent of women aged 18-45 (2011)

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

51.1 28.5 22.6 4.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

22.6

potential support ratio

4.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

51.1

youth dependency ratio

28.5

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.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2013)

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

note

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

Health expenditures

9.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

25,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.3 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

82.3 years 79.8 years 84.9 years (2017 est.)

female

84.9 years (2017 est.)

male

79.8 years

total population

82.3 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)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

38.7 years 37.9 years 39.5 years (2017 est.)

female

39.5 years (2017 est.)

male

37.9 years

total

38.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.7 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Australian(s) Australian

adjective

Australian

noun

Australian(s)

Net migration rate

5.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29% (2016)

Physicians density

3.37 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

23,232,413 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population

Population growth rate

1.03% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 23.1% (Anglican 13.3%, Uniting Church 3.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.3%, Baptist 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.1%, Lutheran .7%, other Protestant .5%), Roman Catholic 22.6%, other Christian 4.2%, Muslim 2.6%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox .2%), Hindu 1.9%, other 1.3%, none 30.1%, unspecified 9.6% (2016 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.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

20 years 20 years 21 years (2014)

female

21 years (2014)

male

20 years

total

20 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.7% 13.9% 11.4% (2016 est.)

female

11.4% (2016 est.)

male

13.9%

total

12.7%

Urbanization

89.7% of total population (2017) 1.37% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island

note

data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island

rate of urbanization

1.37% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

89.7% of total population (2017)

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 has 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

note

Australia has three time zones

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia yes 4 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

4 years

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 held in 2017 was rejected (2017)

Country name

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

conventional long form

Commonwealth of Australia

conventional short form

Australia

etymology

the name Australia derives 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

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James CAROUSO (since September 2016) 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James CAROUSO (since September 2016)

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 Joseph Benedict HOCKEY (since 28 January 2016) 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 797-3000 [1] (202) 797-3168 Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

chancery

1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Joseph Benedict HOCKEY (since 28 January 2016)

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

Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gen. Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014) Prime Minister Malcolm TURNBULL (since 15 September 2015) Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general 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

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 Gen. 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 Malcolm TURNBULL (since 15 September 2015)

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

parliamentary democracy (Federal Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

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 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

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: 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

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from 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) Senate - last held on 2 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 2 July 2016; this election represents a rare double dissolution where all 226 seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives are up for reelection Senate - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 35.2%, ALP 29.8%, the Greens 8.7%, Pauline Hanson's One Nation 4.3%, Nick Xenophon Team 3.3%, other 18.7%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 30, ALP 26, The Greens 9, Pauline Hanson's One Nation 4, Nick Xenophon Team 3, other 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 42%, ALP 34.7%, The Greens 10.2%, Nick Xenophon Team 1.9%. Katter's Australian Party 0.5%, independent 2.8%, other 7.8%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 76, ALP 69, The Greens 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Nick Xenophon Team 1, independent 2

description

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from 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 - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 35.2%, ALP 29.8%, the Greens 8.7%, Pauline Hanson's One Nation 4.3%, Nick Xenophon Team 3.3%, other 18.7%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 30, ALP 26, The Greens 9, Pauline Hanson's One Nation 4, Nick Xenophon Team 3, other 4; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 42%, ALP 34.7%, The Greens 10.2%, Nick Xenophon Team 1.9%. Katter's Australian Party 0.5%, independent 2.8%, other 7.8%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 76, ALP 69, The Greens 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Nick Xenophon Team 1, independent 2

elections

Senate - last held on 2 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 2 July 2016; this election represents a rare double dissolution where all 226 seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives are up for reelection

National anthem

"Advance Australia Fair" Peter Dodds McCORMICK 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)

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 (composed of five stars: four large seven-pointed stars, one small five-pointed star), kangaroo, emu; national colors: green, gold

Southern Cross constellation (composed of five stars

four large seven-pointed stars, one small five-pointed star), kangaroo, emu; national colors: green, gold

Political parties and leaders

Australian Greens Party [Richard DI NATALE] Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN] Country Liberal Party or CLP [Gary HIGGINS] Family First Party [Bob DAY] Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER] Liberal National Party of Queensland or LNP [Timothy NICHOLLS] Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL] National Party of Australia [Barnaby JOYCE] Palmer United Party or PUP [Clive PALMER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

$432.4 billion $457.7 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$457.7 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$432.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (28 February 2013) 4.35% (31 December 2010) this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate

note

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.42% (31 December 2016 est.) 5.58% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-33.31 billion (2016 est.) $-58.06 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.547 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.538 trillion (31 December 2015 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 2017 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has stalled and sharp drops in current prices have 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 benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, although this trend has reversed 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 WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, 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 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and India.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.3442 (2016 est.) 1.3442 (2015 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) 0.9695 (2012 est.)

Exports

$191.7 billion (2016 est.) $188.3 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 30.5%, Japan 12.4%, US 6.5%, South Korea 6.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

57.3% 18.9% 24.9% -0.4% 19.5% -20.2% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

19.5%

government consumption

18.9%

household consumption

57.3%

imports of goods and services

-20.2% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24.9%

investment in inventories

-0.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.6% 26.5% 69.9% (2016 est.)

agriculture

3.6%

industry

26.5%

services

69.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$48,700 (2016 est.) $48,300 (2015 est.) $47,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) 2.8% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.262 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.188 trillion (2016 est.) $1.144 trillion (2015 est.) $1.105 trillion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

21.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 22.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 23.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 25.4% (1994)

highest 10%

25.4% (1994)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$198.5 billion (2016 est.) $207.2 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 23.4%, US 11.5%, Japan 7.8%, Thailand 5.6%, Germany 5.3%, South Korea 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

0.3% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2016 est.) 1.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

12.74 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.6% 21.1% 75.3% (2009 est.)

agriculture

3.6%

industry

21.1%

services

75.3% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.187 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.289 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.366 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

46.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 44.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$55.07 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $49.27 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.415 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.337 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$441.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $434.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$617.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $582.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.098 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.985 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$243.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $229.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.7% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

385 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

213,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

339,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

289,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.821 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

223.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

72.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

10.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

16.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

67.03 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

237.9 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

46.99 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

34.06 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

6.373 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

67.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.989 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.1 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

60,290 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

564,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

472,100 bbl/day (2016 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 (2009)

Internet country code

.au

Internet users

20,288,409 88.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

88.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

20,288,409

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 NZ and the US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other (2015)

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 NZ and the US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

8.18 million 36 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

36 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

8.18 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

26.55 million 115 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

115 (July 2016 est.)

total

26.55 million

Airports

480 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

14 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

16

914 to 1,523 m

101

total

131

under 914 m

14 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VH (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

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)

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

National air transport system

69,294,187 1,887,295,820 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,887,295,820 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

69,294,187

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

175

number of registered air carriers

11

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

Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Kembla, Sydney Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore) Brisbane (1,152,000), Melbourne (2,638,000), Sydney (2,330,000)(2015) Darwin, Karratha, Burrup, Curtis Island

container port(s) (TEUs)

Brisbane (1,152,000), Melbourne (2,638,000), Sydney (2,330,000)(2015)

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

36,967.5 km 3,727 km 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified) 18,727 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified) 14,513.5 km 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) (2014)

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

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

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)

Military branches

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

Australian Defense Force (ADF)

Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force), Royal Australian Air Force, Joint Operations Command (JOC) (2013)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2016) 1.98% of GDP (2015) 1.8% of GDP (2014) 1.68% of GDP (2013) 1.7% of GDP (2012)

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 extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed EEZ; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and 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

9,217 (Afghanistan); 6,128 (Iran) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

9,217 (Afghanistan); 6,128 (Iran) (2016)