About
Queensland
CRICOS Provider Number 00608A
Australia
Australian flag
In 2012 Australia’s population was approximately 23 million.
Australia is divided into six states: Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia and two
territories: Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
The Australian flag was designed after the federation of the
Australian States into the Commonwealth of Australia on
1 January, 1901.
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
QUEENSLAND
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH
WALES
ACT
VICTORIA
TASMANIA
The Australian flag consists of three main elements:
• The Union flag (also known as the Union Jack) in the top left
quarter which represents Australia’s historical links with
Great Britain.
• The Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation, in the bottom
left has seven points for the six states and the combined
territories of the Commonwealth. The seventh point was
added in 1909.
• The Southern Cross on the right side represents the
constellation of the Southern Cross which is a significant
navigational feature of the southern hemisphere, and strongly
places Australia geographically.
About Queensland
People and lifestyle
Queensland is often called the Sunshine State.
It is the second largest of the states of Australia and has
a population of approximately 4.6
million. Queensland covers an
area approximately the same size
as Texas in the United States of
America.
Queenslanders are friendly, outgoing people who are known for
their casual attitude and approachability. It will be easy for you to
learn much about your homestay family and friends by spending
time talking with them. Most people are keen to share information
about themselves and their lifestyle with you.
The majority of Queensland’s
population lives in the cities and
towns along the coastline. It can take
a long time to get from one town to
another and many Queenslanders
will travel for up to four hours for one
weekend.
Australia is a multicultural society and as a result the ‘Australian
culture’ is an interesting blend of Indigenous Australian, European,
Asian, North and South American, Middle Eastern and African
cultures.
In Queensland you will have the opportunity to hear about different
cultures, meet people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds,
hear languages other than English being spoken and sample food
from all over the world. Acceptance of cultural
diversity is very important to Australian
people and the Australian Government.
Racism is not tolerated.
For more tourist information, visit
some of the websites listed in
Useful Contacts & Further Sources
of Information in the Enjoy Living in
Queensland leaflet, or see a tourist
information centre or visitor centre
in any Queensland city.
All Queenslanders are entitled to equal
rights, opportunities and responsibilities
regardless of their cultural, ethnic or religious
background and discrimination on these
grounds is illegal.
Climate
Religion
Queensland has a wonderful
climate with summer
temperatures that are high but
not usually uncomfortable due to
moderate humidity levels and mild
winters with fine sunny days and
cool nights and early mornings.
Average Temperature Ranges
Summer
Winter
Brisbane
20-31
8-23
Cairns
20-36
17-26
Gold Coast
20-28
10-22
Sunshine Coast
19-28
10-23
Toowoomba
15-26
6-17
Townsville
29-33
16-25
There is total freedom of religion throughout Australia. As people
from other cultures settled here, they introduced a range of
religious denominations and practices including Buddhism,
Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. All of these
and other religions, including Indigenous religions are practised
around Australia. There are also families and individuals in
Australia who do not actively practise any religion.
If you have special religious needs please discuss these with your
education agent who will then pass on the information.
Customs
In Australia over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken,
including 45 Indigenous languages. The most commonly spoken
languages (other than English) are Italian, Greek, Cantonese,
Arabic and Mandarin.
Respect for others is an important part of Australian culture.
This involves displaying general good manners towards others
regardless of age, gender or social status, and being helpful where
possible. In the Australian culture, it is extremely disrespectful
to talk or interrupt while others are speaking. It is also
considered rude to talk through movies and other kinds of public
performances.
General good manners in Australia includes:
•Shaking hands is the polite thing to do when first meeting
someone. In more familiar relationships, people may hug,
give kisses on the cheek or pats on the shoulder or back
• Knocking on a door before entering a room
•Asking before using other people’s property, for example:
using the telephone, turning on the television, or using the
computer
•Making eye contact when speaking to someone and when
spoken to. This is important for most Australians and is
especially the case at school where a teacher may think you
are rude or are not listening if you do not make eye contact
with them
•Punctuality is important in Australia and if you are not able
to attend a pre-arranged meeting you should always notify
the other person/people
•Placing your knife and fork together on the plate when you
finish a meal
• Using a tissue or handkerchief to blow your nose
•Not going in front of someone who is in a queue or waiting
to cross the road
In the Australian culture it is OK to say that you don’t understand
and to ask questions. At school, teachers will think you are
listening and trying hard if you ask questions about their subject.
To most Australians, asking questions shows that you are
interested in what they are saying.
You may be surprised to hear people laughing loudly at home and
in public and most Australians do not cover their mouths when
they laugh.
Australians are accustomed to having a lot of personal space
and standing too close may cause them to feel pressured and
uncomfortable. Many Australians will use their finger to point to
something or someone, this may be surprising to you but do not
be offended by it.
•Obeying the pedestrian traffic signals. Do not cross the road
unless at a designated crossing
•It is never okay to spit in Australia. It is illegal to spit on the
street and in public places. You can be fined if you do this
•It is not necessary to remove shoes when indoors; however
in some houses you may be asked to do so.
TIP: Australians are friendly
people and often the best thing to remember
is to offer a smile. A smile means happiness or
friendship and does not usually indicate
that the person is nervous.