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Australia is a giant island bigger than the whole of Europe, populated by only 20 millions inhabitants, that will take your breath away as soon as you arrive!! This is the Adventure Land, the Land of Never-ending Spaces, the Land of Deserted Beaches, and the Land of the Dreaming... To sum up, the Land of Extremes and Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust business and consumer confidence, and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up in recent years, although the trade balance improved in 2006. Housing prices probably peaked in 2005, diminishing the prospect that interest rates would be raised to prevent a speculative bubble. Conservative fiscal policies have kept Australia's budget in surplus since 2002.

To help you understand the Australian geography and particularities, to convince you that coming to study in Australia is an unforgettable experience, we will transport you to the states that form the Federation of Australia, sharing with you our experience and personal opinion. This is not really a tourist guide so if you need more detailed information, consult any travel guides specialized in Australia such as Lonely Planet…

If you wish to receive the best flight rates to Australia, please refer to our section Travel.

Australia is a federation composed of 6 States and 2 Territories, is part of the Commonwealth and the head of state is not the prime Minister but the Queen of England Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor General. This system has got significant consequences in the business world: each State or Territory is run differently and has its own parliament and juridictions, so you’d better enquire if you are covered on a national or state level when you invest in Australia.

- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): territory where the Australian capital city Canberra is; it only extends to the urban area of Canberra. This is an entirely diplomatic city.
- New South Wales(NSW): capital city Sydney; NSW is the most populated and dynamic state as far as Business and investments in services, real estate (Sydney) and agriculture (regional NSW) are concerned; includes Newcastle, one of the largest ports in South East Asia, Wollongong, one of the largest metallurgy centres in Australia and the Hunter Valley reputed for its wineries. Winter Sports are possible in the Snowy Mountains at 6 hours drive South of Sydney.
- Victoria (VIC): capital city Melbourne; the most populated State after NSW; offers a unique European influence and is said to be the cultural centre of Australia; second biggest business centre in Australia. Includes Gippsland reknown for its dairy farming and timber industry. Note the Yarra Valley for its wine production. Winter Sports are possible in the High Plains at 3-4 hours drive North and also 2-3 hours drive East of Melbourne.
- Queensland (QLD): capital city Brisbane; state heavily dependent on tourism thanks to the Barrier Reef, Whitsundays… Agriculture is also very important; warm climate all year round except in summer in the far North where humidity can be suffocating.
- Tasmania (TAS): capital city Hobart; State isolated from the main land, tranquil, with a spectacular wilderness; produces the best cheese and a large quantity of seafoods (lobsters and avalones); population very focused on the protection of the environment.
- Western Australia (WA): capital city Perth (the most isolated city in the world); it is the richest state thanks to a vast mining industry; extraordinary growth in the last 2 years due to a frenesy of foreign investments from Asia; Note Margaret River for the growing reputation of its wineries.
- South Australia (SA): capital city Adelaide, a quiet and very green city; vast state with a small population, strong European influence and a majority of deserts; international reputation for its wines (Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Mc Laren Vale, Adelaide Hills…) and gastronomy; enjoys the lowest living cost in Australia!The SA state offers financial advantages to companies willing to settle in or around Adelaide, and this decision has permitted a sleeping economy to become much more dynamic!
- Northern Territories (NT): capital city Darwin, a very cosmopolitan city orientated towards Asia, its closest neighbour!: enormous tourist industry due to the presence of natural wonders such as : Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Djuta (Olgas); Totally composed of deserts, this state encompasses the largest cattle production in Australia within “stations” (ranches) as vast as a medium size town and a very important mining industry (zinc, uranium…)!