Australia w pigulce

The country is only a little smaller than the United States but its sparse population is comparable with that of Canada. Including Tasmania it spans 30 degrees of latitude, resulting in a large range of climates from temperate to tropical. With the exception of mountain ranges along the east coast (Great Dividing Ranges) and in Tasmania, most of Australia is relatively low flat to rolling country. Vast areas of the continent consist of desert or sparsely populated pastoral land with lush landscapes in coastal areas, particularly in the east where most of the population is to be found. To the north lie lush tropical rainforests and wetlands and in the west is an enormous, ancient plateau which ends in the Indian Ocean.

Australia is an independent state within the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is represented by the Governor General who has wide powers, but by convention acts only on the advice of ministers on virtually all matters. Under the Australian federal system, powers are distributed between a national government (House of Representatives)and the six States; three Territories - the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island have self-government arrangements (The Senate). National elections must be held every three years and voting is compulsory for those 18 yrs and over.

More information about Australian political system you will find here 

Australia has had one of the strongest economies in the world over the past 2 decades. Australia’s high economic performance resting on strong growth, low inflation and low interest rates has been the result of effective economic management and ongoing structural reform, along with a competitive and dynamic private sector and a skilled, flexible workforce.

The Australian economy has shown impressive resilience by surpassing internal and external events over the past decade. Trade underpins Australia’s prosperity. The country’s trade policy is aimed at creating new and more open markets for exports, mainly through multilateral trade agreements, such as APEC and ASEAN, and bilateral agreements such as with Singapore, Thailand, Chile, New Zealand and the United States. Australia’s top five export markets are Japan, China, USA, South Korea and New Zealand.

Australia’s main export goods include coal, iron ore, gold, crude petroleum and aluminium. Australia’s main import items include machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts, crude oil and petroleum products.

More information about Australian economy, you find here

The Federal Government helps people whose source of income has ceased, because of disability or retirement, or has been interrupted by unemployment or sickness. Age Pensions are paid to men from the age of 65 and to women from 63. The range of pensions, benefits and allowances also includes Disability Support Pensions, Family Allowance Supplement, Solo Parent Benefit, Sickness Allowance or New Start Allowance. Social security benefits are non-contributory and usually paid directly to the recipient with the emphasis being on income support, based on need. Eligibility for most payments depends on an income/means test. New settlers are reminded that it is not possible to claim social security benefits, such as an unemployment benefit, for the first two years of residence in Australia.

More information about Australian social security, you find here