Quick facts:
- There are nearly 20,000,000 people in Australia, of which approximately 80% live in cities next to the sea.
- Australia has, probably, the lowest population density of any country in the world, ie, 2 people per square km. Japan has 327 people/2km.
- The area of Australia that is covered by snow in winter is larger than the area of Switzerland.
- 70% of the world’s wool comes from Australia.
- The longest fence in the world is in Australia, and it runs for over 5,530 kms. It’s designed to keep dingoes away from the sheep.
- It is the 6th largest country in the world, occupying an entire continent of some 7.6 million square kilometres.
- It has the world’s 3rd largest ocean territory, spanning three oceans and covering around 12 million square kilometres.
- Vegetation covers nearly 7 million square kilometres or 91 percent of Australia.
- Most of Australia’s exotic flora and fauna cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The sunburnt country
Down Under, Oz, the Sunburnt country… whatever you want to call it, Australia has been a hugely popular tourist destination for years. With some of the best beaches in the world and abundant opportunities for riding incredible waves, scuba diving and swimming with dolphins, it’s no mystery why students, tourists and job seekers alike might want to try their luck in Australia.
Despite having only 22 million inhabitants, Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world. That means there’s a lot of exotic wildlife lurking in the more isolated parts of the country. Because many parts have remained in their natural, untouched states for millions of years, Australia boasts some of the world’s most fascinating – and at times bizarre – species of flora and fauna you could ever hope to see. And while some of it may be deadly poisonous, most of it is perfectly safe!
And that’s not the only thing that draws outsiders to the country. Strangely, Australia also seems to have escaped the worldwide economic crisis, having enjoyed consistent and steady growth in its industries over the past two decades. This means that recent years have borne witness to a huge amount of immigration, with foreigners hoping to benefit from the country’s economic stability. And who can blame them?
Not only are Australians relatively better off than the rest of us crisis-ridden states, life expectancy in the country is also the fourth highest in the world. To top it off, even though the weather admittedly varies drastically due to the vastness of the country, typically it is pleasantly warm all year round. Culturally it’s also highly diverse: from Sydney skyscrapers and the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the aboriginal tribes by Ayers Rock, Australia is truly a land where many different worlds converge.
Why you should go:
Volunteering in Australia gives you the chance to experience a truly unique lifestyle in a beautiful setting. As a Commonwealth country, it is a little bit like a home away from home. Famous for their friendly nature and their infectious laid-back attitude, your Australian hosts are sure to make you feel at ease in no time!
Teaching here as a classroom assistant or as an outdoor instructor will allow you to meet people from all walks of life. If you decide to teach – whether in a boarding school or in an indigenous community – the potential to enrich your life by learning about such new and interesting cultures will broaden your mind and teach you skills as you teach others. Additionally, although English is Australia’s national language, for some indigenous students it is not their mother tongue. So not only will you be a role model and classroom assistant for students, you will also help them to develop key skills that will prove invaluable to them in later life.
Alternatively, as an outdoor education instructor, you’ll get to meet a real mix of people while experiencing Australia’s lush outdoors. And as if that wasn’t enough, the fact that by the end of your placement you will be well-used to leading and organising groups of school children means you will have some fantastic skills that will look great on your CV!
There’s a reason why so many people are drawn to Australia: why not experience it for yourself?
Find out more about volunteering in Australia >>
