For Schools and Students
Welcome to the Australian High Commission web page for Canadian schools and students. The High Commission represents the Australian Government in Canada. Our role is to promote Australia in Canada and that includes helping Canadian students learn more about Australia and Australians.
Follow the links below for information about Australia.
History
Australia’s history can be traced back many thousands of years. Since Europeans settled in Australia in 1788, the country has undergone rapid change.
Read about Australian history on the Australian Government website.
Climate and Geography
Australia’s climate and geography are vastly different from Canada’s. Much of the country is made up of desert, and large parts of the country experience frequent water shortages and droughts.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s Climate page for more information.
Maps
Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth.
Search over 100,000 maps at the National Library of Australia.
Politics and Government
Australia’s political system is broadly similar to Canada’s, being modelled on the British version, although there are a number of distinct differences.
Read more at the Australian Government website.
Indigenous Australia
The Indigenous Portal provides information on programs and services for Australia\'s Indigenous people.
Visit the Indigenous Portal.
Culture
Australia has a rich cultural history, from visual arts to cinema, from music to literature, from architecture to dance and more. For more information, including events calendars and links to cultural organisations:
Visit the Australian Government's Culture, History and Sport page.
Wildlife
Australia has thousands of unique species of plants and animals, ranging from kangaroos to wombats and Tasmanian devils.
For more information click here.
Tourism
Tourism Australia provides planning tools and a wide range of travel information in nine different languages.
Visit Tourism Australia here.
Time Zones
Australia has three time zones.
View current times in Australia.
General information
Fact sheets on almost everything about Australia including trade, foreign relations, economy, environment, government, science and more are available through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.