Background: Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories. Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, Englishman James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825 respectively, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868. As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933.
Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Gold rushes beginning in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia contributed more than 400,000 troops to Allied efforts during World War I, and Australian troops played a large role in the defeat of Japanese troops in the Pacific in World War II. Australia severed most constitutional links with the UK in 1942 but remained part of the British Commonwealth. Australia’s post-war economy boomed and by the 1970s, racial policies that prevented most non-Whites from immigrating to Australia were removed, greatly increasing Asian immigration to the country. 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 proximity to East and Southeast Asia. In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader.

Area
Total: 7,741,220 km²
Land: 7,682,300 km²
Water: 58,920 km²
Note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Comparative: slightly smaller than the 48 contiguous US states

Land boundaries
Total: 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
Highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m
Lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
Mean elevation: 330 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 47.2% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 4% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 43.1% (2023 est.)
Forest: 17.3% (2023 est.)
Other: 35.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 19,450 km² (2022)

Major rivers: River Murray - 2,508 km; Darling River - 1,545 km; Murrumbidgee River - 1,485 km; Lachlan River - 1,339 km; Cooper Creek - 1,113 km; Flinders River - 1,004 km

Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands

Geography
Note note 1: 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
Note note 2: the Great Dividing Range that runs along eastern Australia is that continent’s longest mountain range and the third-longest land-based range in the world; the term 'Great Dividing Range' refers to the fact that the mountains form a watershed crest from which all of the rivers of eastern Australia flow – east, west, north, and south
Note note 3: Australia is the only continent without glaciers; it is the driest inhabited continent on earth; Perth on the west coast is home to the invigorating sea breeze known as the 'Fremantle Doctor,' one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia hosts 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world

Population
Total: 26,768,598 (2024 est.)
Male: 13,305,110
Female: 13,463,488
Distribution: population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the states and territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or 'outback,' has a very sparse population
Growth rate: 1.13% (2024 est.)

Languages: English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.)
Note: data represent language spoken at home

Religions: Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant 18.1% (Anglican 9.8%, Uniting Church 2.6%, Presbyterian and Reformed 1.6%, Baptist 1.4%, Pentecostal 1%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 3.5%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 2.7%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox 0.2%), other 2.1%, none 38.4%, unspecified 7.3% (2021 est.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 18.3% (male 2,526,772/female 2,369,425)
15-64 years: 64.7% (male 8,688,023/female 8,640,671)
65 years and over: 17% (2024 est.) (male 2,090,315/female 2,453,392)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 54.5 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 28.3 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 26.2 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 3.8 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 38.1 years (2024 est.)
Male: 36.9 years
Female: 39.2 years

Population growth rate: 1.13% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 12.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the states and territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or 'outback,' has a very sparse population

Urbanization
Urban population: 86.6% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Note: data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island

Major urban areas
Population: 5.235 million Melbourne, 5.121 million Sydney, 2.505 million Brisbane, 2.118 million Perth, 1.367 million Adelaide, 472,000 CANBERRA (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 2 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 83.5 years (2024 est.)
Male: 81.3 years
Female: 85.7 years

Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 4.1% (2024 est.); 3.7% (2023 est.); 3.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Capital
Name: Canberra
Geographic coordinates: 35 16 S, 149 08 E
Time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
Time zone note: Australia has six time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+11)
Etymology: the name may derive from the Aboriginal word nganbirra, meaning 'meeting place'

Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Dependent areas: (7) Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Jervis Bay, Norfolk Island (7)

Legal system: common law system based on the English model

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Samantha (Sam) MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
Head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022)
Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general
Election/appointment process: 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
Legislature name: Parliament
Legislative structure: bicameral

Flag description: blue, with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower-left quadrant; on the right half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white, with one small five-pointed star and four larger seven-pointed stars

National anthem
Title: 'God Save the King'
Lyrics/music: unknown
History: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
Note: the well-known and much-loved bush ballad 'Waltzing Matilda' is often referred to as Australia's unofficial national anthem; Australian poet Banjo PATERSON wrote the original lyrics in 1895, and they were first published as sheet music in 1903; since 2012, a Waltzing Matilda Day has been held annually on 6 April, the anniversary of the first performance of the song in 1895

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 21 (5 cultural, 12 natural, 4 mixed)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:
Note: includes one site on Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Real gdp growth rate: 1.4% (2024 est.); 3.4% (2023 est.); 4.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 1.4% (2024 est.); 3.4% (2023 est.); 4.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 51.2% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 22.2% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0.1% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 24.7% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -22.6% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 2.2% (2024 est.)
Industry: 26% (2024 est.)
Services: 65.5% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 14.912 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2024 est.); 3.7% (2023 est.); 3.8% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 4.1% (2024 est.); 3.7% (2023 est.); 3.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $431.27 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures: $453.105 billion (2022 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 23.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $425.16 billion (2024 est.); $448.507 billion (2023 est.); $465.99 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: iron ore, coal, natural gas, gold, minerals (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $405.336 billion (2024 est.); $389.211 billion (2023 est.); $379.981 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, cars, trucks, broadcasting equipment, garments (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 108.193 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 267.818 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 11.455 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 64.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 17.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 11.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Production: 445.077 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 95.667 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 348.32 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 630,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 149.472 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Total petroleum production: 386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 1.151 million bbl/day (2024 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 2.446 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas
Production: 151.307 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 48.845 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Exports: 105.146 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Imports: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 3.228 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 394.653 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 146.81 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 154.346 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 93.497 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 223.158 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 6.458 million (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 29.1 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 97% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 9.63 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2023 est.)

Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2024 est.); 2% of GDP (2023 est.); 2% of GDP (2022 est.); 2% of GDP (2021 est.); 2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Airports: 2,257 (2025)

Heliports: 392 (2025)

Railways
Total: 32,606 km (2022) 3,448 km electrified
Standard gauge: 18,007 km (2022) 1.435 mm
Narrow gauge: 11,914 km (2022) 1.067 mm
Broad gauge: 2,685 km (2022) 1.600 mm

Merchant marine
Total: 604 (2023)
By type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 76, oil tanker 6, other 520