| The predominant language spoken in Australia, | | | | Auturm: March - May |
| is English. While there are many individuals | | | | |
| from around the world who have each brought | | | | Winter: June - August |
| with them their own native tongues, English | | | | |
| remains as the language spoken in most | | | | Spring: September - November |
| schools, universities, businesses, and | | | | |
| throughout government circles. | | | | If you are from the Northern Hemisphere you |
| | | | may find it strange at first, spending your |
| Climate | | | | Christmas day under the hot Australian sun or |
| | | | spending your mid-year break skiing in the |
| Australia's size means that it encompasses | | | | Snowy Mountains, but this makes for endless |
| several climatic zones. The more southerly | | | | opportunities of recreational fun. |
| regions have a temperate, Mediterranean | | | | |
| climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet | | | | Living cost |
| winters. The areas nearer the equator are sub | | | | |
| tropical and tropical, while the centre of | | | | Many temporary and permanent residents in |
| the continent which is mainly desert climate | | | | Australia are pleasantly surprised at how |
| can receive high temperatures in fierce | | | | inexpensive it is to live in Australia |
| summers, down to below freezing on a winters | | | | compared to their home countries. |
| night. | | | | |
| | | | The cost of living in Australia is |
| The temperature varies considerably from | | | | considerably lower than in Europe, the US, |
| region to region. For example, the average | | | | Japan and especially the UK. Prices for |
| maximum summer temperature in Brisbane is | | | | essentials such as food, drink and clothes |
| 30°c and in Hobart it is 21.5°c. The | | | | are relatively low, with manufactured goods |
| tropical zone has two main seasons - the hot | | | | being generally a little more expensive |
| wet season from November to April and the | | | | because many are imported. However property |
| warm dry season from May to October. | | | | and renting is also generally cheaper. |
| | | | |
| The temperate zone's four seasons are as | | | | A 'livability survey' conducted by the UK's |
| followed: | | | | Economist in October 2005 ranked the |
| | | | following four Australian cities, Melbourne, |
| Summer: December - February | | | | Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, amongst the |
| | | | world's top 10 desirable cities to live in. |