Australia Business Etiquette Culture

Australia Introduction

Australia has a population of almost 20 million people in a country not much smaller than the contiguous 48 United States. However, the great majority of the population is located in a few major urban centers. The large majority of the population (93%) has a European heritage, primarily English. The predominant language of the country is English with Christianity the largest religion (75%).

The Aborigines are indigenous to Australia and make up 1% of the population. They are thought to have canoed to Australia from Southeast Asia some 30,000 to 50,000 years ago. Scientist established this time frame using radiocarbon dating techniques. The Aborigines believe one’s exact birthplace determines your position within a clan or kinship group, and gives you with a secret personal name. They also have a strong devotion of kinship, and believe in walkabout — the desire to revisit the sacred sites.

Long-term Australian concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia’s status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.