The educational system in Australia offers more than just academic achievements and globally recognized educational qualifications. It prepares you for working in the global marketplace. Studying in Australia is an unique experience that lends independence, maturity, understanding of cultures and viewing issues with a different perspective.

Australian universities have made breakthroughs in science and technology and Australian vocational training systems are used as models for countries of Asia pacific. The country offers cheaper study options and living expenses are low as as compared to other study destinations. Australia is the third most popular study destination in the world. Several multinational companies recruit directly from Australian universities and vocational institutes due to their good exposure to global marketplace.

With a boom in Australian job industry, many skilled workers are being encouraged to apply for work visa and contribute to the country's economy. Immigration to Australia has become commonplace as the country offers globally recognized and reputed study programs, multi cultural society, low living and study expenses, great employment opportunities and safe and relaxed lifestyle.

Australian government operates an Overseas Student Program for which a student visa must be obtained before the commencement of the course. Department of Immigration and Citizenship grant a student visa if the course is a registered course or part of a registered course on a full time basis. There are different subclasses of student visa based on the intended studies.

Australia also offers an excellent and a very successful skilled migration under the General Skilled Migration to Australia, on the basis of their skills or educational background. This program specifically targets highly skilled people who will make a contribution to the country economy. The pass marks for General Skilled Migration Visa is 120 points based on the criteria of age, occupation, experience and English language ability.

Applicant's education and work experience are assessed by relevant skill assessing authorities. the applicant should be under 45 years of age. The applicant must be proficient in English language, which is measured by IELTS testing. All applicants are required to do medical and criminal checks before permanent visa is granted.

Additional points can be earned to Australian Skilled Independent Visa, fulfilling a certain criteria. These points are awarded if there is a job offer from a qualifying Australian employer. Applicants, who have successfully undertaken study within Australia, can use their qualifications to support their application. Additional points can also be earned if the spouse meets the basic requirements of age, English language ability, skilled occupation and 12 to 24 months work experience.

If the applicant has relatives in Australia, he can strengthen his application by demonstrating the relationship and providing a proof of relative's residence status. Permanent resident visa is valid for five years, after which the permanent resident may apply for citizenship, providing certain eligibility criteria have been met.

The Australian government offers a two stage process for Investor immigration to Australia. Stage 1 is a 4 year Temporary Investor visa for which Australian government bonds are to be bought for qualifying. Buying the bonds is the last part of the process of obtaining visa after everything else is approved. Bonds can be bought on own merit or under sponsorship from Australian state or territory governments.

All the sponsored and non sponsored Investors must meet certain specific criterion for sponsored and non sponsored categories. Permanent residence proceeds after the bonds have been owned for four years.

Being a digital nomad is a thrilling adventure and a potentially lucrative endeavor. Technology has made it possible to work from pretty much anywhere and we are empowered to transcend the borders of space and time. However, nomadic life can be a rather difficult one. Perhaps the most important consideration for a nomad is a choice of destination.

So, what about Australia, a country well known for its tourist attractions? From lush rain forests to the barren outback, the timeless, seemingly endless landscape stretches beyond imagination. Well, for us, it is relevant that Australia has become a magnet for those who mean not only to enjoy but also work there. Yes, many nomads have already visited this vast country and some of them have decided to stay there indefinitely.

The Great Migration

The way we perceive work has changed dramatically. The digital revolutions engulf the world and fast internet speeds spread to its distant corners. These developments have facilitated the rise of digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers. It is expected that by 2035, there will be 1 billion nomads in the world. Their example has captured the imagination of numerous working people who seek to escape the tedious 9-5 routine.

Namely, with the tech infrastructure in place, the world can be your oyster. The whole ocean of online possibilities unfolds before your eyes. Of course, having too many options is overwhelming, but some would say that this is a part of the charm of living like a nomad. This brings us to the point that although being a digital nomad may seem like bliss, it has various pros and cons.

First of all, nomads work on the move. Apart from a laptop, the Wi-Fi internet is essential. Alas, when the latter is nowhere to be found, nomads cannot meet deadlines and fulfill their daily tasks. Also, it is important to note that there is no such thing as complete freedom because the money is usually an issue. Many nomads travel to countries with low living costs and gradually climb up the career ladder.

Some of them are not picky when it comes to their “workplace”. They work from a tent, type emails from the beach, and chill around hotel lobbies. They have given balancing work and life a new meaning, catching the attention of those who are chained to work desks and sterile cubicles that are supposed to be offices. However, running your business from a crowded beach, for instance, is no walk in the park.

It is often too hot and noisy to stay productive and sand can damage your precious laptop. You could say that the work part of the equation often suffers due to constant moving and visiting amazing places around the world. What is more, one does need a steady income in order to sustain the nomadic lifestyle and become truly location independent.

The Cost Of Dreams

Let us now take a look at Australia. Namely, the Land Down Under offers nice weather, vibrant culture, great quality of life, flourishing economy and plenty of business opportunities. There is a wide range of activities to keep you busy, but more importantly, the necessary infrastructure (Wi-Fi) and other resources are present and certainly not in short supply. Also, for most nomads, the language barrier is non-existent.

It seems that there is something really tempting about leaving everything behind and going to the other side of the globe. It is a chance to turn a new leaf, and write a new exciting chapter of your life. So, it does not come as a surprise that people are flocking to this vast country in pursuit of their dreams. Not every nomad can afford to live there, though, as living costs can be as high as a kite.

Hotels start at around $16 per night for a dorm room, but prices go up to $30 in big coastal cities. Camping is less costly, but it is often not an option due to lack of a solid internet connection. Food is not cheap either and decent restaurant entrees cost $15, although a fast food meal can be found for $11. Taking all of this into account the suggested daily budget is somewhere between $43 and $57.

Major Hubs & Work Spaces

Sydney is on the travel radar of numerous nomads and not just because of the things like legendary Bondi Beach. This burgeoning city is on top of the list due to appealing lifestyle, world-renowned attractions, friendly culture and thriving startup scene. Also, finding a co-working space in Sydney is a breeze. Numerous shared workspaces are popping up across the urban area and they accommodate a growing army of nomads.

These bustling hubs are places where they can meet like-minded people, share ideas and work their fingers to the bone if need be. Entrepreneurs, remote workers, creative individuals and nomads come together and disrupt traditional notions about doing business. What is more, finding a new gig is not hard. The only drawback is that the most populous city in Australia is also one of the most expensive cities around the world (monthly living costs are $2,900). Thus, it might not be a viable option for many people.

Other popular destinations are Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong and Gold Coast. All these cities have a lively entrepreneurial and innovation scenes. Brisbane is less expensive than Sydney, but the trade-off is that job opportunities are less appealing. Wollongong is an interesting example because it is a relatively small community: the costs of living start at $1,800 per month, while the average internet speed is 50 Mbps. In addition, a 24/7 full membership in a local co-working space costs $299.

Cover All The Bases

Minding the Tourist Season

Aside from the expenditures, one of the possible issues is the tumultuous tourist season. After all, Australia is one of the hottest tourist destinations on the face of the earth. During the peak period, one may find it difficult to find a quiet and secluded corner. To do that, some nomads decide to migrate inland, away from the busy coast. Fortunately, surfing and soaking in the sun are not the only activities to take on, as backpacking, road trips and camping opportunities are abundant.

Research Well

Just bear in mind that Australia is a humongous continent-sized country with population that is quite low in perspective. The large stretches of and between towns and rural areas are not covered with a telephone network, and even some urban jungles have notorious “black spots”. This is to say you need to plan well in advance and do your research, especially if you want to wander through the Outback and discover some hidden gems.

Getting to Places

Figure out the best carrier for areas you want to pay a visit to. As a rule of thumb, Telstra and Optus have the best coverage, albeit there are huge differences from country to country, and some people swear by Vodafone. In any event, create your work schedule carefully and get everything done before leaving populated areas. Do not leave the transportation to chance. Distances are vast and not easy to traverse.

Furthermore, in case you want to rent a furnished apartment for a month or two, you have to do your homework because landlords prefer long-term rental periods. Thus, I would say that when you are in the country as big and as expensive as Australia, planning is the cornerstone of success. For seasoned nomads who are fine with being uncomfortable, it is easier to get by. Still, always be prepared to deal with unexpected and difficult situations and try to stay positive.

Birds of the Same flock

The learning and adapting curve is different for everyone. Nevertheless, it pays off to read as much as you can about OZ before you move there. Ponder on the best ways to save money until you get a financial foothold. Get in touch with other nomads and business people. Utilize networks like LinkedIn and capitalize on the fact that the recruiting scene in Australia has exploded in recent years. There is also a myriad of freelance jobs you can apply for in case you need extra money.

Sow the Seeds of success

There is something unforgettable and unique about visiting Australia. Few places under the eternal blue sky provide such a remarkable mixture of culture, entertainment and business prospects. Alas, when you are more than a tourist ready to party around the clock, you cannot dive in unprepared. Test the waters first and know what you are getting yourself into. Come up with a plan, put together a schedule and find your own work rhythm.

It is clear that just hitting the road and letting the chips fall where they may does not cut it. To come up roses you need to embrace a different kind of attitude. Make sure you are ready for high costs of living and everything that comes with that. Consider urban centers where you can meet other digital nomads as well as network, collaborate and learn from them. Make the most of the nomadic lifestyle and get some work done.

If you do not register your intellectual property, you cannot prevent other traders from registering their own goods or services under you own mark: you can, in fact, be forced to change your mark altogether. Register a trademark in Australia to ensure the protection of your intellectual property.

Trademark Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a trademark, you must be:

1. An individual
2. A company
3. An incorporated association
4. Or some combination of these

You cannot use your business or trading name to file an application. You must include your name as the owner on your trademark application to be able to apply. If your mark is owned by a corporation, you must file the application in the corporation's name. Similarly, a trust must submit the names of the trustees in the application. An association can apply for a collective, rather than a singular, trademark.

You are required to nominate a class, or classes, or goods and services that your trademark is related to in your application. This is so your trademark protection is tailored to your unique business requirements.

Your application must be detailed, accurate, and descriptive of your trademark. A trademark professional can fill out and file your application on your behalf: this way, you can be sure that your application is filled out correctly. You should also conduct a trademark search before you file your application to ensure that your mark does not conflict with other pre-registered trademarks. If your mark is similar or identical to another registered mark, your application will be rejected, or the other party may take legal action against you for infringement.

Conditions for Acceptance

Before you can register a trademark in Australia, examiners must determine whether or not your mark is suitable for registration. You should conduct a trademark search to ensure that your mark does not conflict with other registered marks. Alternatively, you could submit a Headstart application with IP Australia. This application is a 'pre-assessment' of the eligibility of your mark: it will determine whether your mark is likely to be registered and calculate your projected fees.

In order to be accepted for registration, your mark must essentially distinguish your goods and services from your competitors'. For this reason, it is hard to register any marks that fall into the categories below:

1. Describe the type, quality, intended purpose, or value or the goods and services
2. Are common or geographical names
3. Conflict with other registered marks
4. Are misleading in terms of the nature of the goods and services

Other words are protected by law and cannot be registered as trademarks. Some words are protected by additional legislation, such as 'champagne', which cannot be used to describe wine of any other origin than that from Champagne, France. A trademark professional can advise you on prohibited words or trademarks that are unlikely to be registered, such as generic terms.

Choosing a Unique Mark

You cannot register a trademark in Australia if your mark is confusingly similar with another registered trademark that covers goods or services similar to your own. Your mark must be truly unique to be registered.

Bear in mind that the above points are the most common reasons for application rejections. There are other more complex reasons: you should contact a trademark attorney for further details. Similarly, IP Australia staff can inform you of whether these reasons apply to your trademark.

Common Trademarks

There are a number of common trademarks that you should take care to avoid:

1. Descriptive marks: these that describe the goods or services, such as HOT for heating products, or INTERNATIONAL for overseas shipping services.
2. Common words of the English language such as ULTRA SOFT for tissue paper, or ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY for green services
3. Common surnames: a surname is regarded as common if it appears more than 750 times in current Australian records)
4. Common geographical names, such as the name of your town, suburb, or state
5. Abbreviations, acronyms, numerals, or letters commonly associated with goods
6. Stereotypical pictures or drawings of the goods, such as a picture of a dog for pet food, or a horse shoe for farrier services

None of these names or pictures are prohibited, and can be effective when used in an unlikely way, or in combination with words that others are unlikely to use. A trademark attorney can determine whether your trademark is likely to have been used before.

Registration Process: A Brief Overview

To register a trademark in Australia, you must undergo the following process:

1. Examination: an examiner from IP Australia will scour your application to ensure that you have filled out your application correctly, that your trademark complies with law, and that it is suitable for registration. If your examiner finds an issue with your application, you will receive an adverse report. You must respond to this report within 15 months.
2. Opposition: If you examiner finds no issue, you will proceed to a period of opposition. During this period, your trademark is added to a national register, and other parties are provided with the opportunity to oppose your mark if it infringes on their own. Very few marks meet any opposition.
3. Registration: Once your mark has passed through the opposition period, it can be formally registered. You must pay the registration fee within six months of the date of acceptance or your application is void.

Trademark registration is the only sure way to protect your trademark. Consult a trademark professional to discover whether your intellectual property is eligible for registration, or for more information on the registration process.

Fantasea Reefworld is an 86 meter floating pontoon anchored on Hardy Reef approximately 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach on the Tropical East Coast of Australia.

Getting to Reefworld is an exciting adventure. Simply jump aboard one of the luxury air-conditioned high-speed Fantasea catamarans from Airlie Beach Marina and you will be on your way to enjoying one of the most wonderful days of your entire life.

The huge Reefworld pontoon is the largest of its type in Australia. Visitors are captivated by the beauty of the underwater playground in one of the natural wonders of the world – the Great Barrier Reef.

Reefworld is just a short trip from Airlie Beach. It provides a sheltered and protected snorkelling and swimming environment for visitors to enjoy all year-round. Fantasea Reefworld is internationally renowned for its ability to afford tourists with the highest number of colourful vibrant reef fish in their natural environment. No other Great Barrier Reef tour company can match the attractions that Reefworld has to offer.

There are literally thousands of different species of marine life to observe and enjoy. Reefworld is also known for its magnificent Queensland Groper who is affectionately known as ‘George’. George frequents Reefworld on a very regular basis and is free to come and go in his natural habitat whilst interacting with divers. There is also a playful Maori Wrasse who has been named ‘Wally’ who loves to intermingle with visitors.

The Great Barrier Reef is of course known for its wonderful live natural coral displays and they often exceed all expectations. The coral can best be seen by:

• Swimming along on a guided snorkelling trail with rest pontoons
• Taking an underwater tour on the semi submersible ‘tourist submarine’
• Experiencing an Introductory dive with fully qualified Diving Instructors
• Pre arranged Certified dive

Reefworld can supply you with your own snorkelling gear if you don’t have any of your own. All snorkelling gear mouthpieces are hygienically sealed. Stinger suits are also available for protection against jellyfish and wet suits will ensure you are warm and cosy with added buoyancy for your ultimate comfort.

Fantasea Reefworld also boasts a great waterslide straight into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. You have the option to do as much or as little as you like whilst enjoying your 4 hours on the pontoon.

Reefworld pride themselves on preparing the freshest and most delicious food you will find anywhere in the world and the Fantasea catering staff begin work every day at 2 am to ensure you enjoy only the best cuisine available including:

• BBQ meat
• seafood and salad
• breads and cakes
• cheeses
• unlimited tea and coffee whilst you are on board

There are also other optional activities like scenic helicopter flights which take you over the famous Heart Reef. Or if you prefer you can choose the fly/cruise options from Airlie Beach.

Australia is fast emerging as a desirable educational destination. It has various study options for students which allow them to pursue both undergraduate and post graduate programs in this country. The country has also made it easier for students to apply through the visa subclass 500.

Before applying for studies in an Australian University, it’s important that you choose a university for yourself. There are many notable universities which are present here like, the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne. The candidates need to appear for the English language proficiency tests (IELTS). However, if they are not able to get the required score in this test, then they can appear for ELICOS training in this country, along with their degree. The application for studying in an Australian University can be made via post or through the internet on the website of the university. A student also needs to supply his transcripts to the university as an evidence of his prior educational qualification.

The candidate can also mention his previous employment experience if required. The student can apply for the student permit with his offer letter sent by the university; however, for the approval of study permit, it’s highly important that a student provides his confirmation of enrolment. It’s also important to provide your insurance cover for your time as a student in this country. A confirmation of enrolment is supplied by the university if which your admission gets approved.

Before the confirmation of enrolment is issued to the student, he is sent a letter of offer by the university after his admission is accepted. The letter of offer is accompanied by an acceptance form. The student should go through the letter of offer quite carefully before they can accept all the conditions listed on it. It’s important to send your approval for all these conditions before you are issued a confirmation of enrolment. You should consult Australia-study consultants so that you are granted your visa with complete ease. So, prior to your admission to an Australian university, it’s important to consult the intelligent counselors of a consultancy for the same.

All the courses in Australia are governed by the Australia Qualifications Framework (AQF). That’s why these courses have received recognition all over the world in companies. It is also important that your university or college has been accredited by CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students ).

Over recent years every July the Australian Government have increased the price of their visas for people who wish to emigrate but when we compare the various visa options and the cost of each visa against the benefits it offers we are certain the price of an Australian partner visa is now out of control.

Australian Partner Visas

An Australian who falls in love with an overseas national and who wants to bring that person back home will need to have deep pockets. The idea that love is free seems to have been lost to the Australian government in recent years. The current price of an Australian partner visa is in excess of $6,500. This only allows a person to enter Australia for a limited time before having to apply for permanent residence assuming the relationship is still subsisting (expect in exceptional circumstances) regardless of the fact that they have children or not. The application process is also currently 18 months plus in many cases and the burden of evidence to prove the relationship ever more demanding.

While there should be a duty of care not to grant visas to people who are attempting to circumvent the immigration rules by entering relationships for the primary purpose of securing a visa this should not require the vast majority of law abiding Australian citizens to suffer for the actions of the few. We suggest there would be more effective ways to manage this situation.

When we compared the partner visa to other popular visas we found not only are processing times often shorter but the cost is also much lower.

Australian Skilled Visas

A person on the shortage occupation list can secure a permanent visa to live and work in Australia without further restrictions post arrival for as little as $3,600 which may seem a great deal however the benefits are clear. The person can settle into Australia quite quickly once they have been accepted. The whole process usually takes eight months.

Australian Contributory Parent Visas

This visa class allows a person to invite their parent to live with them in Australia and while there are various criteria one must meet in order to secure the visa the price of the actual visa is $2,490 not including any contributions that maybe required. Again this is a great deal lower than a partner visa. That is in our opinion strange as the contribution of a parent and the amount they will contribute to the economy is likely to be less that that of a partner who are usually in their early years.

Working Holiday Visas

While this visa does not lead to residency and is limited in what the holder can do it is still a common way for young people to enter Australia, who then often go on to a 457 visa or other routes to remain. At just a few hundred dollars and a week to process this seems like a huge contrast to the partner visa. While often it is those young people on a working holiday who meet and fall in love with their future Australian partner.

We hope the Australian government will review their pricing structure and also the time it takes to process an Australian partner visa. Australian citizens should not feel like they are being penalised for falling in love with an overseas national. We shall wait and see. You can visit the government website here

A visa is a government sanctioned permit to enter, stay and exit a country granted to foreign nationals who wish to visit the concerned country. It is considered to be the entry ticket to a country which is mandatory irrespective of the nature of the visit. Just like almost all first world countries, an Australian visa is indispensable for a foreigner who wishes to visit the country. Surely, the Government of Australia has segregated the applications for the country visas depending upon the nature and tenure of the visit.

Visas in Australia are legally classified as follows –

Instant Tourist Visa

These visas are issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection for periods of 3, 6 and 12 months. The tenure of the visa depends on the nature of the visit. The Instant Tourist Visas are generally provided to visitors who bear the sole purpose of business or come as tourists.

It is necessary for visitors to hold a valid passport and are often supplied with an Australian ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authority. The ETA visa electronically links with the visitor's passport for a fixed duration of time. Immigration authorities are thus, provided with prior knowledge about a visitor's visa status.

Transit Visas

These visas are provided to travelers that use Australia as a means of transit, say, in case of a layover or if a visitor intends to join a merchant navy or ship crew in the country. Transit visas are generally permitted for a duration of only about 72 hours.

Working Holiday Visas

These visas are meant for people within the age of 18 and 30 years who wish to travel as well as work in Australia for a year. Working Holiday visas are particularly oriented towards catering drop-year travelers who wish to explore and at the same time, work their way to supplement their expenses.

Business Visas

Business Visas are provided to people with established businesses in Australia or people who are sponsored by a governmental or multi-national company with the purpose of conducting business operations in Australia under the purview of their employer.

Student Visas

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection are particularly cautious while issuing Student visas. The government permits a visa to a traveling student only after the submission and acceptance of a thorough, detailed analysis of the concerned student's course of study and financial backing. This visa is classified according to the nature of the study. Separate visas are issued for international students who intend to travel to Australia for their graduate or postgraduate degree as opposed to a student traveling for a high school exchange program.

Students holding this visa are not permitted to work before the commencement of their study and can only apply for a job with a cap of up to 20 hours a week.

Skilled Migration

These visas are a permanent migration permit which allows foreign nationals to migrate to Australia under the pretense of being skilled in a domain of significance according to the Government of Australia.

These famous festivals in Australia have become omnipresent and are being celebrated every year in Australia. Festivals like these provide a great opportunity for international performance to Australian viewers and a platform to show the artwork of Australia.

All these famous festivals attract and fascinate even tourists which are listed below:

1. International Comedy Festival:

This festival is held in Melbourne. It is a huge cultural occasion for Australia and is the most famous festival among others. This festival has 148,000 guests who attract the best comics and actors of the world. This is continued till the last week of April in every year.

2. Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar Race:

This famous festival for the motor racing fans who come from outdoor Australia. The Bathurst race is a 1000 km experience that is one of the tourist attractions. The race happens on Sunday and fans come here one week before to set their camps on mountains.

3. Byron Bay Bluesfest:

This famous festival celebrated all over Australia runs through 5 to 6 days of Easter. This incredible festival has many entertaining and enjoyable moments for audiences and extremely capable artists and musicians are there for you.

4. Falls Festival:

This is a music and art festival that is started with New Year celebrations. This festival has ended with gala concerts and there are music performances, plus dance, circus, and comedy.

5. Cup Carnival:

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the famous festivals in Australia with four days of outstanding horse racing that happens over a week in November. The prize money is $6 million, which magnetizes the best instructors and house racers from Europe.

6. Sydney Mardi Gras:

The Sydney Mardi Gras famous festival is a collection of events which is held over many days that have been held on Bondi Beach. Every year, this event is taking place in March and many tourists come from all over the world.

7. Splendor in the Grass Festival:

Splendour is one of the top observed music festivals in Australia which attracts a lot of visitors from around the world. Always fascinating the most different variety of acts to please lovers of all music’s genre and carrying them to the typically charming and quiet seashore town of Byron Bay for a three-day festivity.

8. International Jazz Festival:

Melbourne’s famous festival is really fascinating for jazz music lovers. This contemporary music festival has great gala concerts with the majority being international audiences.

9. Perth International Arts Festival:

This famous festival has taken place in three weeks of February showcasing different arts, film, music, and literature of the world. And different acts are shown such as dance, drama, and acrobatics.

10. Lost Paradise:

Conducted over New Year’s Eve in Glenworth Valley, New South Wales (75 minutes outside Sydney). It is a 3-day festival of music, camping, food, art, and yoga, wrapped in community lovingly. The line-up is top-notch with an amazing venue, and one of the best New Year eve’s music festival.

11. Strawberry Fields:

It is a yearly festival of creative expression, sound, and art. It is held for three days each November, a few hours outside of Melbourne, Australia. Every year, a varied selection of both distinguished and breakthrough electronic music from both within Australia and overseas is presented.

12. Subsonic:

A weekend of exceptional electronic, roots and soulful music in the gorgeous surrounds of Riverwood Downs Mountain Valley Resort – a therapeutic three-hour drive from Sydney.

13. Field Day:

Book your tickets in advance for this for this one-day Sydney party to start the New Year. This one-day extravaganza is spread over 4-5 stages at the venue, The Domain. Top-notch artists along with local talent will impress you.

Australia is a hot country with lots of resources and a major supplier of energy to the world, including gas and uranium. Off the coast are huge gas and oil mining operations and around the country are major power-producing resources, such as the Snowy Hydro Electric Scheme. The latter supplies electricity to major cities in the Southern Highlands, such as Canberra, and others in the region.

On top of that we are a large coal-producing nation with the biggest mine ever about to open in Queensland, although there is huge environmental problems that many are focused on. Despite all of this we are not immune from the huge energy crisis that is looming over us and supplies of electricity and gas cannot be guaranteed over summer.

Last summer South Australia experienced a disaster when a massive storm brought down the poles holding wires and the lights went out. It was a time of a massive heat wave as well. Fridges stopped working, food rotted, and people sweltered in homes where the air-conditioning failed in temperatures in the low 40’s. One region in the state reached 48%.

As it recovered slowly the questions and accusations came thick and fast. The Premier and the Federal Resources Minister went head to head live on television. The leader of the government, Joe Wetherill, had pushed for renewables and many of these facilities were supplying the grid. The other, Josh Frydenberg, was standing firm on his policy of using coal-fired power stations as the most reliable.

The ridiculous notion he put forward that the power went down because of the renewable energy carried over the wires left most viewers stunned. He could not justify wind as the cause although they had reached peaks of almost 200 kph during the storm. Trees had toppled over them and the grid was failing because of the closure of a coal-fired station in Victoria, which had previously fed power to the state.

While we wait for genuine solutions summer is again just around the corner. Already in July, the middle of winter, New South Wales has experienced temperatures in the high 20 degrees Celsius. People took to the beach and went swimming. While the climate is uncertain and the future looks rather gloomy the power crisis is extremely serious. Lets hope something positive comes from the meeting planned for next week.

The Prime Minister has called all the power suppliers to Canberra for a meeting in an attempt to solve the problems and curb rising prices that are already crippling many.

Australia is an amazing destination for both business and leisure travelers. It has the distinction of being the sixth largest country and the smallest continent in the world. Australia is a land of world famous cities such as Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth. It's also a place that offers an incredible variety of flora and fauna. From the mountains to the oceans, one can experience sights and sounds that can't be witnessed anywhere else on earth. For leisure travelers visiting Australia, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

Distances: When preparing for your trip, remember that Australia is around the same size as the 48 adjoining US states and as large as Western Europe. Sydney is a long day's drive from Brisbane and Melbourne, whereas driving from Perth to Sydney can take almost a week. The cheapest and most popular way to travel across Australia is to drive yourself. Flying can be extremely costly because of limited competition and should be avoided unless you're pressed for time.

Weather: When it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia is experiencing the Southern Hemisphere's winter, and vice versa. The hottest period in Australia is from November to March, whereas midwinter is July and August. Leisure travelers visiting Australia should keep in mind that unlike the Northern Hemisphere, the further you travel south in Australia the colder it gets. The most ideal months to travel to Australia are from September through October when it's usually cool enough to visit Ayer Rock (Uluru), warm enough to go to the beach in southern states, and the rains and humidity haven't come to Port Douglas, Cairns and the Top End (though it gets very hot by October). This is also the time to see wildflowers in full bloom in Western Australia.

Health and safety: Those traveling to Australia need not worry much about their health and well-being. The country has high hygiene standards, modern hospitals and well qualified dentists and doctors. Because of the long distances, you may sometimes be far away from a doctor or healthcare facility, but help is always available, thanks to Royal Flying Doctor Service. However, travelers are advised to buy travel medical insurance before they go.

Accommodation choices: Holiday accommodation available in Australia caters to every budget and taste. Options range from budget backpacker dorms to five-star luxury resorts and hotels. Major towns and capital cities boast both boutique and conventional hotels. Capital cities also usually have self catering apartments.

By keeping the above information in mind, you're sure to get around Australia with maximum enjoyment and minimal fuss. So now you've got every reason you need to embark on your journey to Australia.