Australia And International Business

23 Pages 5851 Words

INTRODUCTION

The Commonwealth of Australia is located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean in Oceania. Its capital is Canberra which is located in the state of New South Wales. Today, the country consists of six states and two territories. It is the sixth largest country in the world, however, the smallest of all the continents. In spite of its small size, Australia has proven itself to be one of the worlds leading countries in terms of economic standing. By analyzing Australia’s culture, political structure, legal system, economy, and trade and investment policies, it is possible to discuss the implications of doing business in Australia as a local operation.

AUSTRALIAN CULTURE

Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world. Its population is near 20 million people, with the majority of them living in the few major urban areas through out the country. Currently, Australia has a population growth rate of 0.93% . The age structure of Australia is as follows: (these numbers are based on 2003 est.) 0-14 years, 20.2% (Male 2,045,783 and female 1,949,864), 15-64 years, 67.1% (male 6,680,531 and female 6,553,141), and 65 years and over, 12.7% (male 1,099,275 and female 1,403,309).

In general, Australians are very outgoing and friendly. They have a tendency to warm up to people quickly. From the onset, an Australian will trust you, but will change their view point immediately, if you give them any reason to be suspicious. When having a conversation with an Australian, it is always better to be modest. Avoid talking about your rank, achievements, education, or any other topic that will make them believe you are trying to make them feel inferior.

When it comes to doing business in Australia, there are some cultural issues to be aware of in order to make business transactions go smoothly. First, it is imperative to extend a hand of friendship to them. It is very valuable to Australi...