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Australia-Oceania :: Australia

- ## Introduction :: AUSTRALIA

- Background:
  Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the Allied effort in World Wars I and II.
  In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its location in one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy. Long-term concerns include an aging population, pressure on infrastructure, and environmental issues such as floods, droughts, and bushfires. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. Australia is home to 10 per cent of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world.

- ## Geography :: AUSTRALIA

- Location:
  Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
  Geographic coordinates:
  27 00 S, 133 00 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 7,741,220 sq km
  land: 7,682,300 sq km
  water: 58,920 sq km
  note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
  Area comparison map:
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  25,760 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
  Climate:
  generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
  Terrain:
  mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
  highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
  Natural resources:
  bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
  note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 53.4%
  arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 47.1%
  forest: 19.3%
  other: 27.3% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  23,780 sq km (2013)
  Total renewable water resources:
  492 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 22.58 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%)
  per capita: 1,152 cu m/yr (2010)
  Natural hazards:
  cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
  volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands
  Environment - current issues:
  soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders; the only continent without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world

- ## People and Society :: AUSTRALIA

- Nationality:
  noun: Australian(s)
  adjective: Australian
  Ethnic groups:
  English 25.9%, Australian 25.4%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 6.4%, Italian 3.3%, German 3.2%, Chinese 3.1%, Indian 1.4%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.2%, other 15.8% (includes Australian aboriginal .5%), unspecified 5.4%
  note: data represents self-identified ancestry, over a third of respondents reported two ancestries (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  English 76.8%, Mandarin 1.6%, Italian 1.4%, Arabic 1.3%, Greek 1.2%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.1%, other 10.4%, unspecified 5% (2011 est.)
  Religions:
  Protestant 30.1% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%, other Protestant 1.3%), Catholic 25.3% (Roman Catholic 25.1%, other Catholic .2%), other Christian 2.9%, Orthodox 2.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%, Hindu 1.3%, other 1.3%, none 22.3%, unspecified 9.3% (2011 est.)
  Population:
  22,751,014 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 56
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 17.9% (male 2,089,561/female 1,982,719)
  15-24 years: 13.14% (male 1,533,526/female 1,455,870)
  25-54 years: 41.67% (male 4,822,083/female 4,658,371)
  55-64 years: 11.82% (male 1,333,924/female 1,355,347)
  65 years and over: 15.47% (male 1,628,108/female 1,891,505) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 50.9%
  youth dependency ratio: 28.2%
  elderly dependency ratio: 22.7%
  potential support ratio: 4.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 38.3 years
  male: 37.5 years
  female: 39 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.07% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Birth rate:
  12.15 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Death rate:
  7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Net migration rate:
  5.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 89.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  Sydney 4.505 million; Melbourne 4.203 million; Brisbane 2.202 million; Perth 1.861 million; Adelaide 1.256 million; CANBERRA (capital) 423,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 4.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 82.15 years
  male: 79.7 years
  female: 84.74 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Total fertility rate:
  1.77 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  72.3%
  note: percent of women aged 18-44 (2005)
  Health expenditures:
  9.4% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 37
  Physicians density:
  3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
  Hospital bed density:
  3.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.17% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  28,200 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  fewer than 100 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  29.9% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  0.2% (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Education expenditures:
  5.1% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 56
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 20 years
  male: 20 years
  female: 21 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 11.7%
  male: 12.4%
  female: 11% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93

- ## Government :: AUSTRALIA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
  conventional short form: Australia
  note: the name Australia is derived from the Latin "australis" meaning southern; the Australian landmass was long referred to as "Terra Australis" or the Southern Land
  Government type:
  federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
  Capital:
  name: Canberra
  geographic coordinates: 35 16 S, 149 08 E
  time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
  note: Australia has three time zones
  Administrative divisions:
  6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
  Dependent areas:
  Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
  Independence:
  1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)
  National holiday:
  Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)
  Constitution:
  9 July 1900; effective 1 January 1901; amended several times, last in 1977; note - a referendum to amend the constitution to reflect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 has been extended to March 2018 by a 2015 bill (2013)
  Legal system:
  common law system based on the English model
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)
  head of government: Prime Minister Anthony John "Tony" ABBOTT (since 18 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Warren TRUSS (since 18 September 2013)
  cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 from each of the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years)
  elections: Senate - last held on 7 September 2013; House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2013 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 30 November 2016)
  election results: Senate NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National Coalition 53.45%, Australian Labor Party 46.55%; seats by party - Liberal/National Coalition 90 (Liberal 58, Liberal National 22, Nationals 9, Country Liberals 1), Australian Labor Party 55, Australian Greens Party 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, Palmer United Party 1, independents 2
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts
  judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70
  subordinate courts: subordinate courts at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Magistrates' Courts of Australia; Family Court; subordinate courts at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island
  Political parties and leaders:
  Australian Greens Party [Christine MILNE]
  Australian Labor Party [Bill SHORTEN]
  Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]
  Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]
  Katter's Australian Party [Bob KATTER]
  Liberal National Party of Queensland [Campbell NEWMAN]
  Liberal Party [Tony ABBOTT]
  National Party of Australia [Warren TRUSS]
  Palmer United Party [Clive PALMER]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: business groups, environmental groups, social groups, trade unions
  International organization participation:
  ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY (since 7 February 2010)
  chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
  telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
  FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168
  consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Morrell John BERRY (since 25 September 2013)
  embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600
  mailing address: APO AP 96549
  telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600
  FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970
  consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
  Flag description:
  blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small, five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
  National symbol(s):
  Southern Cross constellation (five, seven-pointed stars), kangaroo, emu; national colors: green, gold
  National anthem:
  name: "Advance Australia Fair"
  lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK
  note: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" is also played at Royal functions (see United Kingdom)

- ## Economy :: AUSTRALIA

- Economy - overview:
  Following two decades of continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system, Australia enters 2015 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by a sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Although demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has grown rapidly, creating a channel for resources investments and growth in commodity exports, sharp drops in current prices have already impacted growth. The services sector is the largest part of the Australian economy, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs. Australia was comparatively unaffected by the global financial crisis as the banking system has remained strong and inflation is under control. Australia has benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, although this trend could reverse or slow due to falling global commodity prices. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the World Trade Organization, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia entered into free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Republic of Korea and Japan, and concluded an FTA with China, in 2014, adding to existing FTAs with Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with India and Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the ten ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and India. Australia is also working on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $1.095 trillion (2014 est.)
  $1.066 trillion (2013 est.)
  $1.045 trillion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 20
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $1.444 trillion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.7% (2014 est.)
  2.1% (2013 est.)
  3.6% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $46,400 (2014 est.)
  $45,200 (2013 est.)
  $44,300 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Gross national saving:
  24% of GDP (2014 est.)
  24.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  24.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 55.7%
  government consumption: 18.1%
  investment in fixed capital: 26.7%
  investment in inventories: -0.1%
  exports of goods and services: 21.3%
  imports of goods and services: -21.8%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3.7%
  industry: 28.9%
  services: 67.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
  Industries:
  mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
  Industrial production growth rate:
  2.1% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Labor force:
  12.37 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 3.6%
  industry: 21.1%
  services: 75% (2009 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  6.1% (2014 est.)
  5.7% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2%
  highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  30.3 (2008)
  35.2 (1994)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Budget:
  revenues: $493.1 billion
  expenditures: $521.3 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  33.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -1.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Public debt:
  34.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  33.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.5% (2014 est.)
  2.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Central bank discount rate:
  3% (28 February 2013)
  4.35% (31 December 2010)
  note: this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  6% (31 December 2014 est.)
  6.18% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Stock of narrow money:
  $269.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $244.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Stock of broad money:
  $1.661 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
  $1.648 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $2.247 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.11 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $1.286 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.198 trillion (31 December 2011)
  $1.455 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Current account balance:
  -$39.88 billion (2014 est.)
  -$43.82 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Exports:
  $250.8 billion (2014 est.)
  $254.8 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Exports - commodities:
  coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
  Exports - partners:
  China 36.1%, Japan 18%, South Korea 7.3% (2013)
  Imports:
  $245.9 billion (2014 est.)
  $250.5 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products
  Imports - partners:
  China 19.5%, US 10.4%, Japan 7.8%, Singapore 5.4%, Germany 4.7%, Thailand 4.7%, South Korea 4.2% (2013)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $65.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $52.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Debt - external:
  $1.48 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.459 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $646.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $593.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $482.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $471.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
  1.098 (2014 est.)
  1.0358 (2013 est.)
  0.97 (2012 est.)
  0.9695 (2011 est.)
  1.0902 (2010)

- ## Energy :: AUSTRALIA

- Electricity - production:
  239.7 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Electricity - consumption:
  226.9 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  61.94 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  79.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  13.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  7.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Crude oil - production:
  410,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Crude oil - exports:
  261,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Crude oil - imports:
  503,100 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  1.433 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  659,700 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 26
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1.083 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  70,810 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  386,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Natural gas - production:
  61.7 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Natural gas - consumption:
  35.65 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Natural gas - exports:
  32.56 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Natural gas - imports:
  6.517 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  1.219 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  420.6 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17

- ## Communications :: AUSTRALIA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 9.19 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 31 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 138 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
  domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones
  international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)
  Broadcast media:
  the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2008)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
  Television broadcast stations:
  104 (1997)
  Internet country code:
  .au
  Internet users:
  total: 20.2 million
  percent of population: 89.6% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28

- ## Transportation :: AUSTRALIA

- Airports:
  480 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 349
  over 3,047 m: 11
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 14
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 155
  914 to 1,523 m: 155
  under 914 m: 14 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 131
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
  914 to 1,523 m: 101
  under 914 m:
  14 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  condensate/gas 637 km; gas 30,054 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,609 km; oil/gas/water 110 km; refined products 72 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 36,967.5 km
  broad gauge: 3,727 km 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified)
  standard gauge: 18,727 km 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified)
  narrow gauge: 14,513.5 km 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Roadways:
  total: 823,217 km
  paved: 356,343 km
  unpaved: 466,874 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Waterways:
  2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Merchant marine:
  total: 41
  by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 7, liquefied gas 4, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 5
  foreign-owned: 17 (Canada 5, Germany 2, Singapore 2, South Africa 1, UK 5, US 2)
  registered in other countries: 25 (Bahamas 1, Dominica 1, Fiji 2, Liberia 1, Netherlands 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Kembla, Sydney
  dry bulk cargo port(s): Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore)
  container port(s) (TEUs): Brisbane (1,004,983), Melbourne (2,467,967), Sydney (2,028,074)(2011)
  LNG terminal(s) (export): Darwin, Karratha, Burrup, Curtis Island

- ## Military :: AUSTRALIA

- Military branches:
  Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army; Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force); Royal Australian Air Force; Joint Operations Command (JOC) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 5,316,464
  females age 16-49: 5,116,722 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 4,411,958
  females age 16-49: 4,239,985 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 143,565
  female: 135,800 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.71% of GDP (2012)
  1.84% of GDP (2011)
  1.71% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 50

- ## Transnational Issues :: AUSTRALIA

- Disputes - international:
  In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; Australia's 2004 submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) extends its continental margins over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly 30 percent beyond its claimed exclusive economic zone; all borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  refugees (country of origin): 7,675 (Afghanistan) (2014)
  Illicit drugs:
  Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines

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