Australia, Canberra

Overview

Australia, Canberra Canberra is the capital city of Australia and is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth largest Australian city overall. Canberra's main industry is government administration and defence employing over 40% of Canberra's workforce. The unemployment rate in Canberra is well below the national unemployment rate, with labour shortages reported in some sectors. As a result of low unemployment and substantial levels of public sector and commercial employment, Canberra has the highest average disposable income of any Australian capital city.

Australia is in Oceania, a continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. The climate is generally arid to semi arid but temperate in the south and the east and tropical in the north.

The official language is English. The main religion is Christianity.

The economy of Australia is a prosperous, free market economy dominated by its services sector, representing 68% of Australian GDP. The agricultural and mining sectors (10% of GDP combined) account for 57% of the nation's exports.

Australians typically talk directly rather than around issues, generally do not like class orientated structure, preferring informality and modesty such as first names even in a business setting (although dress tends to be formal), respect the opinions of others, and enjoy a good debate. Australians typically take turns in paying for beverages, and often use humour to establish rapport.

The security risk for expatriates in Australia is low. Risks include low levels of petty crime in busy tourist areas.

The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Banking is on a par with that of Western Europe and North America.

The standard of healthcare in Australia is very good however costs of treatment for expatriates can be high.

The population of Canberra is 380,000 (2016 est.), while the inflation rate is 1.9% (June 2017).

Cost Of Living

The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Canberra as at 1 July 2017 is very high in comparison to other places in the world.

In Canberra, the cost of each basket, based on local prices, compared to the international average, is categorized follows (Exact cost of living percentages only available in personalised reports):
1) Alcohol (where available) & Tobacco: Very High
2) Clothing: Very High
3) Communication: Very High
4) Education: Average
5) Furniture & Appliances: High
6) Groceries: Very High
7) Healthcare: Average
8) Household Accommodation: Very High
9) Miscellaneous: Very High
10) Personal Care: Very High
11) Recreation & Culture: Very High
12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Very High
13) Transport: Very High

Canberra is for example 47.9% more expensive than Houston TX for groceries, 69.4% more expensive for household costs than Kuala Lumpur, and 71.1% more expensive for transport costs than Dubai.

Canberra is ranked as a minimal hardship location.

The hardship premium for Canberra for an expat from London, is for example 0%, i.e. host location (Canberra) premium of 10% minus home (London) location premium of 10%.

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The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Canberra as at 1 July 2017 is very high in comparison to other places in the world.

Canberra is ranked as a minimal hardship location.