Building Health Careers

Working in Australia - Culture and Lifestyle

Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of more than 21 million including people from around 200 countries, Australia has a tolerant and inclusive society made up of people from many different backgrounds. Cultural diversity is a central feature of our national identity.

The defining feature of today's Australia is not only the cultural diversity of its people, but the extent to which they are united by an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia.

Within the framework of Australia's laws, all Australians have the right to express their culture and beliefs and to participate freely in Australia's national life. At the same time, everyone is expected to uphold the principles and shared values that support Australia's way of life

Religion
Australia is a predominantly Christian country, with around 64 per cent of all Australians identifying as Christians. However, most other major religious faiths are also practised, reflecting Australia's culturally diverse society.

Sport and Recreation
Australians love their sport, both playing it and watching it. The 10 most popular physical activities were walking, aerobics/fitness, swimming, cycling, tennis, golf, running, bushwalking, Australian rules football and netball. Other popular sporting activities include football (often referred to as soccer in Australia) rugby, hockey, basketball, baseball, car racing, horse racing, sailing and snow skiing.
Australia has more than 120 national sporting organisations and thousands of state and local bodies.

Healthcare in Australia
The Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, sets national health policies and subsidises health services provided by state and territory governments and the private sector. Total expenditure on health by all levels of government and the private sector accounts for about 9.8 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product.

For further information about Australian Culture and Lifestyle visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html