The term "the lucky country" was invented for Australia in the 60`s and referred to the fact that Australia is shielded from the troubles of the world due to its remoteness, an ideal environment for a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and economic prosperity because of its possibilities for the production of primary goods and mining.

While Australia has undergone many changes over the last decades as has the rest of the world, the lucky country continues to offer excellent possibilities to all coming to Australia for a year or for life who are ready to use their initiative and work hard, especially after Australia managed to diversify the economy since the mid 90's.

Work Opportunities and Economy

Australia has and continues to enjoy, in contrast to many other industrialized nations, a period of sustained economic growth, with an unemployment rate of currently around 5 per cent!

Censuses of the Australian Government reveal that arrivals in Australia who came on a skilled visa have got a lower unemployment rate than the total Australian population after an initial settling-in period. The Department of Immigration is therefore continuing to rigorously select and test applicants for skilled visas and to more and more shift the number of permanent visa given towards the skilled stream. At present, about 60 % of the total number of permanent residence visas issued every year are reserved for people with required skills.

Australia has got a very sophisticated business base, with many people running small businesses. This is actively encouraged and facilitated by the government to foster economic activity and the creation of jobs.

People

While the majority of Australians continue to be of Anglo-Saxon background, the country has opened for migrants from all over the world since the 70`s. There are now significant Greek, Italian, Eastern European, Lebanese, South American, Chinese and other Asian Communities in Australia, mostly so in Sydney. Australia pursues a policy of multiculturalism, where migrants are encouraged to keep their culture and traditions. This is in contrast to e.g. the policy of the United States, where migrants are expected to shed their heritage and become part of the big "melting pot".

Australians enjoy a decent standard of living and a sunny, outdoor lifestyle. The arrival of so many different migrants over the last decades has added new trends to mainstream Australia which is most apparent in a diverse and exciting restaurant scene.

Our world in one country

As the only country in the world that encompasses an entire continent, Australia has it all: Tropical rainforest of Queensland, beaches, the deserts of the Northern Territory, lush temperate forests of Tasmania and the ski slopes of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. Australia is a vast country and while many times the size of Europe, only 20 million people inhabit the great Southern Land, 80 per cent of which live in the coastal areas, mainly in the major cities such as Sydney (4.2 million) Melbourne (3.6 million), Brisbane (1.8 million), Perth (1.5 million) and Adelaide (1.1 million).

Australia is a relatively warm and sometimes hot country, however many visitors and migrants to Australia are often surprised at the length of the moderate winter in the southern parts of Australia, which lasts for up to 6 month from end of April well into October with night temperatures falling to as low as 5 C and average day temperatures of 12 C in July.

Talk to people who came to Australia in recent years from all over the world. How do they find it? What are their experiences and tips? Drop them an e-mail by filling in the form below, they are happy to answer in English or maybe another language?

Reinaldo is from Brazil and obtained permanent residence in Australia 9 years ago. He is now working as a teacher. "Migrating to Australia was my best choice ever and now I can enjoy an exciting and secure lifestyle" he summarizes his thoughts.

Hannes has been Down Under for 3 years. He is of Austrian -German background and he has worked in Sydney and near the Ayers Rock during this time. While he wants to go to France and Canada now for a while to gather more experience in his chosen profession soon, he plans to settle in Australia for good in a couple of years. Here is what he says:

" I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience Australia from the point of view of one of its citizens. To me, Australia is full of endless possibilities. Being a young country, Australia is positive, with and the flexible outlook make it refreshing. Australia is unique, always changing and growing, providing those wanting to work hard with the perfect environment to do so. A will to learn and grow is valued and rewarded, and this inspires a motivation in those who possess this will. People are welcoming and accepting, and I have made countless friends and have been made to feel at home. In Australia, there is always something to see; whether a seemingly infinite desert, a tropical rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef. As the national anthem proclaims, 'Our land abound in nature's gifts of beauty, rich and rare', Australia's physical beauty almost matches that of its spirit. Like many other people, I feel glad to have been touched by this spirit and this is something I will always have"

Olga came to Australia from Africa in 2002 and she obtained permanent residence status in 2004. I like Australia because people treat each other well and with respect" she says. "The education system is excellent and my kids have got lots of opportunities to gear up for their adult life. Even I as a grown up am given the opportunity to further myself through studies" Olga is studying towards her Certificate 4 in Childcare. She speaks English and Portuguese.

Hyojoo has been living in Sydney for the last 2 years. She is a Korean national. What she likes most about Sydney is its multicultural setup and the resulting endless and different possibilities for going out. She also says: "I love the harbor and the beach and I just want to get permanent residence and stay".

Billy is in Australia as a permanent resident since 2001. He is originally from India. He thinks that Australia is a wealthy country and he sees it as a privilege to be able to live and prosper there. "Australia has something that only a few other countries on this globe have, and that is a democratic, prosperous, peaceful and tolerant society", he says.

To talk to Reinaldo, Hannes,Olga,Hyojoo or Bill about their experiences in Australia , please use the form below.