When South Africans consider immigrating, one of the first countries that come to mind is Australia – as a result Australia is home to a thriving South African expat community. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 report, 178 700 South Africans are living in Australia, as of June 2015, representing 0.8% of the population.

So if you have recently arrived in Australia or are considering moving there – here are some facts to quickly get you up to speed with your new home:

25 Interesting facts about Australia

1. 17 out the world’s most venomous snakes are found in Australia (note – there are 26 venomous snakes in the world)
2. 750 000 wild camels roam Australia’s deserts, one of the largest herds on earth
3. The male platypus has enough venom to kill a small dog
4. There are 3 times more sheep than people in Australia
5. Emus and Kangaroos are rarely seen to walk backwards
6. Bob Hawkes, Australia’s former prime minister has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for being able to drink 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds
7. Alcohol was banned in the Australian capital until 1967
8. Australia has over 60 designated wine regions
9. The average Australian drinks 83 litres of beer a year
10. Australians from Queensland are known as “Banana Benders”
11. “Bluey” is a common nickname for a redhead in Australia
12. Over 25% of Australians were born in another country
13. Enhanced blood circulation is one of the many health benefits of playing the didgeridoo
14. It is estimated that 22% of Australians have a convict as an ancestor
15. In 2005 security guards at the Canberra Parliament were banned from calling people ‘mate’. The ban lasted 24 hours
16. In Victoria, the eating cats and dogs has been banned
17. The longest straight road in the world is found on the Nullarbor Plane, it is 146km
18. The Australian Alps receive more snow than Switzerland
19. Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world
20. Only 3.95% of Australia’s sky is affected by pollution
21. The name Kylie comes from the Aborigine word for boomerang
22. Australia ranks second in the Human Development Index which measures life expectancy, education and income
23. The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds longest living structure and is 2 600km long
24. In Australia it is illegal to walk on the right-hand side of a footpath
25. The longest mail run in the world is from Cairns to Cape York – it is 1450 km long (and yes the postman flies)

Bonus Fact: SA expats in Australia use FinGlobal to unlock their SA wealth

FinGlobal, South Africa’s leading migration brand, opened its offices in 2009 with just three people. From these humble beginnings the company has grown and today the headcount accumulates to a big number of professionals.

As a licensed financial services provider and a Reserve Bank approved foreign exchange intermediary, FinGlobal’s services cover all aspects of financial migration including retirement annuity transfers, the opening and closing of bank accounts, foreign exchange services and a full suite of other financial services for South African emigrants.

If you are thinking of immigrating to Australia and need any advice about your financial emigration, contact us today and we’ll help you on the path to financial freedom in your new home.
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