| |
 About Australia |
| |
Australia is a massive, yet very sparsely populated country. It is one of the largest countries in size, and in fact, in size it competes with the USA, yet its population is just over eighteen million - little more than that of the Netherlands.
Australia is world known for its natural beauty. The landscape varies from vast deserts to lush forests, and its urban scenery offers everything from sophisticated metropolitans to easy going and friendly towns. |
| |
Visas |
| |
All visitors to Australia, except New Zealanders, require a visa to enter the country. You can get visa applicationt forms from the Australian High Commissions, or the Australian embassies or consulates. Citizens of the US can get visa application forms from the Washington, Los Angeles and Ottawa offices and from the embassy internet sites.
Nationals of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and several European and Scandinavian countries who intend to stay for less than three months, can apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), valid for multiple entries over one year. Citizens of other countries or visitors who intend to stay for longer than three months should apply for a visitor visa, valid for three to six months.
|
| |
Education |
| |
The Australian Education System includes:
- Preschool
- Primary School
- Secondary/High School/Secondary Colleges
- Career and Vocational Training
- University
Compulsory Schooling
Schooling is mandatory for students in most states and territories until the age of fifteen. Although students are able to leave at that time, most students do not leave until they complete their Year 10 qualification, with many students continuing on to complete their Year 12 studies.
Public and Private Schools
You can choose to have your children educated in public (state government) or private (independent) schools throughout the country. Education at public schools is free in most states, although most schools do have a small voluntary annual fee to cover extra activities. Parents may also have to purchase such items as books and uniforms, and pay for outings, camps etc. Most public schools are coeducational, with girls and boys encouraged to participate equally in class.
Most private schools fall into one of two categories, schools administered by the Catholic Education Office, and independent schools of other religious persuasions administered by their own boards. Private or independent schools have their own fee structure and receive a subsidy from both federal and state governments. Many private schools are either boys' schools or girls' schools.
|
| |
Money and Costs |
| |
If you're coming from Europe or the USA, Australia is going to look pretty cheap. Australia's currency is the Australian dollar, or "buck", divided into 100 cents. Exchange rates fluctuate around a rate of A$2 for US$1, and during your first days as an expat in Australia, your American Dollar will carry you a long way.
Credit cards (particularly Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted, and ATMs all over the country accept credit and Cirrus cards.
|
| |
Health |
| |
Australia has high standards of hygiene, and there are few exceptional health hazards - at least in terms of disease. No vaccination certificates are required unless you've come from a yellow-fever zone within the past week. Standards in Australia's hospitals are also very high, and medical costs are reasonable by world standards.
The national healthcare scheme, Medicare, offers a reciprocal arrangement - free essential healthcare - for citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Malta, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden. This free treatment is limited to public hospitals and casualty departments (though the ambulance ride to get you there isn't covered); at GPs you pay up front (about $40 minimum) with two-thirds of your fee reimbursed by Medicare.
|
| |
Weights & Measures |
| |
The official system in the Australia is the metric system, measuring weight and mass in kilos and grams, and distance and length in kilometers and centimeters. |
| |
Electricity |
| |
The electricity used in the Australia is a 240-v AC (50-60HZ), so you will need a converter when traveling from the US. |
 Back to top
|
|
Get a Moving Quote 
