Australia's political and economic advantages are complemented by its welcoming attitude and excellent quality of life. In 2009, Australia’s quality of life was ranked 6th in the world out of 57 key economies, ahead of New Zealand, the USA and the UK (Source: IMD World Competitiveness Online 1995-2009, Worldwide Quality of Life Index 2009).

Australia ranked second on the UNDP Human Development Index 2009, behind only Norway, and Australia's life expectancy (81 years) was the fifth highest in the world. The level of access to healthcare professionals and services in Australia is also amongst the highest in the world. 

Living the lifestyle

With one of the highest standards of living in the world, Australia offers a superb climate, a unique and beautiful environment, and quality social and cultural infrastructure.

Australian cities are regularly judged to be among the most liveable in the world across by a range of international surveys. In the Economist Intelligence Unit Liveability Ranking 2009, four of Australia's mainland capital cities were ranked in the top eight liveable cities in the world. While in Mercer Human Resource Consulting’s Quality of Living Survey 2008, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane were all among the top 31 cities in the world to live in, ahead of notable cities such as London, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and New York.

The cost of living in Australia’s capital cities is also lower than in most other major capitals worldwide, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York City, Singapore, London, Los Angeles and Dubai (Source: Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living Sydney 2009). 

Welcoming foreign investment

Australia’s prosperity has been built on it being a great trading nation and an attractive and welcoming destination for foreign investment. Accordingly, the Australian Government actively encourages and supports foreign investment that is consistent with its national interest – regardless of source country – through a range of services and programs. In August 2009, the government announced legislative amendments aimed at simplifying and streamlining the screening process for foreign investment proposals.

Room to move

Australia has space in abundance. It is the sixth largest country in the world, but with one of the world’s lowest population densities at an average of only around three people per square kilometre.

Education and training

The quality of Australia’s education and training sector is internationally recognised. The country has well-designed private, state and federal-funded education systems offering high quality primary, secondary and tertiary education, and extensive vocational training, including specialised institutions for teaching English. Expatriate students at Australian schools can continue their schooling at US and European educational institutions without difficulty.

Sport and recreation

Australians not only work hard, they play hard. Their love of sports is famous. New facilities created for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, along with many other centres, provide options to view and participate in many sports.

Australians also love the outdoors. Australia has more than 7000 beaches stretching along thousands of kilometres of coastline, creating access to all water sports. Mountain ranges in Victoria and New South Wales offer a choice of snow sports and hundreds of state and national parks provide access to vast, pristine wilderness areas.

Culture

Australia supports a thriving national and local art, theatre, dance, film, opera and music scene which attracts many international performers and artists. Australian restaurants are creating an international reputation for their fresh and inviting menus.

The print and broadcast media is robust and lively, with about 1,200 lifestyle and other magazines – among the most per capita in the world – catering for all tastes.

A society to grow in

Living in Australia is to share in the culture of openness and a passion for getting the most out of life. Australian society encourages opportunity for all and gives everyone a ‘fair go’, while also fostering a strong spirit of competition.

Combined with all the other attributes on offer, Australia is not only a leading location for international companies but the destination of choice for their employees.