Discovering Australia

Facts About Australia + Official Country Name: Commonwealth of Australia + Capital City: Canberra + National Language: English

+ Official Religion: Australia has no state religion; Section 116 of the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing any religion or imposing any religious observance + Currency: Australian Dollar, AUD + Weights and Measurements: Metric System + Electricity/Voltage: 230V

General Information Public Holidays Most schools, banks, and government offices are closed on national public holidays.

Holiday

Date

New Year’s Day Australia Day Good Friday Easter Monday

January 1 January 26

Friday before Easter Sunday

Monday after Easter

Anzac Day

April 25

Christmas Day

December 25 December 26

Boxing Day

Government Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Elizabeth II is the Chief of State and is represented by the Governor-General at federal level and by a governor at state level. In practice, the Prime Minister who is appointed by the Governor-General is believed to wield the most authority in government. The Commonwealth Parliament consists of an upper house and a lower house, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Elections for both chambers are normally held every three years simultaneously. Moreover, all the states and the territories have their own parliament, chosen by the electorate living in Australia. The judiciary system remains separate from all the federal government branches to ensure a clear and unbiased interpretation of the law.

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Discovering Australia