Australia is the sixth largest continent of the world. It is located in the southern hemisphere and is surrounded by several islands in the Pacific ocean, East Indian and Antarctic oceans. Specifically Indonesia, Timor Oriental and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia to the northeast and New Zealand to the south-east.

Australian Aboriginals have been living in Australia for more than 42,000 years by the Australian natives. In 1788 the British First Fleet established a penal colony in Sydney, New South Wales. Over the following decades five other colonies were established (Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.)

On the 1st of January 1901 Australia declaired Federation whereby all six states united to form a Federal government. Australia has maintained a liberal and demoractic political system since, whilst maintaining its place within the Commonwealth.

The capital city of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Teritory (ACT), located halfway between The capital cities of Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales.

The present population as of 2008 is around 21.4 million inhabitants, with most of the population concentrated around the costal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Australia is a highly developed country, with some of the best standards of living in the world. The 2007/2008 United Nations Human Development Index ranked Australia the third best country for quality of life. Many Australian cities are ranked amongst the worlds most liveable.

• Over the last 10 years the Australian economy grew an average of 4% per year.
• Forcasts predict an annual growth of the next five years of around 3%.
• Unemployment has for the last few years been the lowest in history.

Australia combines natural beauty with a modern lifestyle, know as the land of opportunity, its economic indices, high quality of life and multi-cultural society is welcoming to overseas students.

Australia is an attractive destination for students wanting to study overseas.