Australia is a relatively young nation. Its capital was chosen by selection based on the ideal place to have the nation’s legislative body in its own place. That place was Canberra; an area that almost a century ago was agricultural land half way between Sydney and Melbourne. Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) now represents the home of Australia’s legislative, diplomatic, and bureaucratic needs. Welcome to the ACT; Australia’s national capital.
The ACT At a Glance
The ACT is home to Australia’s national capital, Canberra. The ACT was established as the legislative district for the nation, and for that reason many who live there often work in government.
Population
The ACT is a territory and not a state. It is the legislative and administrative centre of Australian government and is therefore home to many bureaucrats and diplomats. It is home to just over 400,000 people, almost all of whom live in Canberra, the nation’s capital. This is also because it is the smallest territory, the boundary of which is mainly based on the city itself. The ACT has the highest population density of any Australian state or territory.
Main Regions
The following are the main areas of the ACT, and some detail about their function and for what they are best known.
Canberra
The city of Canberra is one of the most well-planned cities in Australia. To look at a map of the city streets, at the time of building Canberra was one of the most advanced cities in the world at the time of planning. At the time of federation, the debate was between whether Sydney of Melbourne would be the nation’s capital. As a compromise, the legislators at the time chose an area roughly halfway between that was mostly farmland. A man named Walter Burley Griffin was commissioned to design the city, and this is how Canberra came to be.
Jervis Bay
The ACT also has governance over the Jervis Bay area in New South Wales. While not strictly considered part of the ACT, Jervis Bay was nominated as the country’s national port and also became home to The Royal Australian Naval College. Three quarters of the Jervis Bay area is a national park.
Namidgi National Park
Covering almost half of the ACT to the southern part of the region is Namidgi National Park. This national park is home to over 700 species of plants and over 200 species of animals; many of which are rare or threatened species. This national park also has a large history for both indigenous Australians and european settlers. It is a great place to camp and explore.
Climate
The ACT enjoys very warm and hot summers with cooler winters. Rainfall throughout the year keeps the area green and vibrant. Canberra is only a two hour drive from the Snowy Mountains region; one of the few places where it snows in Australia during winter.
Lifestyle
The ACT is characterised by the blend of domestic and international residents that are attracted by the bureaucratic needs of Australia’s capital governing district. For that reason, the lifestyle experienced in the ACT is generally very broad, and many of the residents are well-funded on account of competitive wage packages for government bureaucrat and legislative positions.
Sports
Just as diverse as the country of Australia is the interest of sport in Canberra. Canberra has its own National Rugby League team, and also has clubs for other Australian favourites such as cricket, Australian Rules Football, and Rugby Union. There are a wide range of sports to participate in, and Canberra is also home to the Australian Institute of Sport. The ACT is where many of Australia’s future olympians train.
Cuisine
Being a cross-section of domestic and international residents and visitors also makes Canberra and the ACT home to a broad range in cuisine. Australian favourites can be found in almost any pub. Regional ACT and the area in New South Wales surrounding the territory is home to some prime grass-fed beef. A mixture of restaurants inspired by both asian and European cuisine are spread throughout the city, and being of a cooler climate Melbourne’s cafe culture has also spread to Canberra. If fresh seafood is your desire, this inland, landlocked area may not be the best place to dine.
Beverages
The ACT is known for a select range of vineyards and craft breweries. Within a thirty minute drive you can find yourself in the ACT wine region, home to over one hundred wineries with thirty cellar doors to visit. The area is known for smaller, bespoke cool-climate vineyards.
Cost of Living
Flora and Fauna
Limited in area, Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory does not enjoy exactly the same variety in plant and animal life as the rest of Australia. That being said, the region is still home to Namidgi National Park, which is home to unique plant and animal species.
Main Places of Interest
There are many places to visit in the ACT, most of which are based around the history and accomplishments of the Australian people.
Australian National Museum
The people of Australia have a history of participation in many wars over the last century. Australia has been involved in almost every major conflict since World War One until the recent conflicts in the middle east. The Australian War Memorial pays homage to these fallen Australians, and the story of the Aussie diggers (digger is a slang term for someone who has served) who have risked their lives for the nation.
Questacon
The National Science and Technology centre aims to promote greater understanding of human technological advancement within the community. Questacon provides this understanding of scientific advancement in a fun and interactive way. The building itself provides a spiral ramp to climb around the perimeter as you are able to investigate each exhibit to gain better understanding of how the world works.
Parliament House
This iconic structure is the legislative home for Australian government. Tours provide full appreciation in the architecture of the building, as well as Australia’s political past. Australian Parliament House also showcases some of the nation’s proudest achievements in arts, while paying homage to the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants of Australia. A tour of Parliament House gives a full appreciation of Australia’s legislative instrument while also showcasing some proud points of Australia’s culture.
Telstra Tower
Offering a complete 360-degree view of the skyline, the 132 metre structure’s primary purpose is to serve telecommunications purposes. The tower is also available to the public for tours, and has a revolving restaurant on the top level that allows a complete view of Canberra and the surrounding area.
Jindabyne
While not situated in the ACT, Jindabyne and the snow-capped region of New South Wales is only a two hour drive from Canberra. In the winter you can take joy in skiing in the Australian sun. Canberra is the closest major city to this snowy destination, if winter sports is what you enjoy doing on weekends.
Main Industries
With its geography, climate, and highly centralised population, South Australia is home to many industries that are in high demand for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Public Service and Defence
As the legislative and administrative centre of the nation, the ACT provides many opportunities to work in the Australian government to keep the nation going. There are employment opportunities in many government departments to ensure the smooth running of sectors such as treasury, veterans affairs, foreign affairs, and the arts. There are also opportunities in Canberra to work in defence if suitably qualified.
Building and Construction
With the public sector workforce as well as visitors coming to the area, Canberra never stops building. The city is made to be maintained as the most well-developed part of the nation, with a constant increase in population and demand for new housing and office space to be built in the nation’s capital. For this reason, building and construction is a significant part of the ACT industry.
Science and Technology
The ACT is also home to the nation’s leading science bodies, not to mention the support required to lobby for financing in the country’s scientific research and development. Canberra is home to some of the nation’s largest organisations in need of cyber security, which makes the Information Technology and Communications sectors significant industries in the region.
Tourism and Hospitality
Canberra attracts a constant stream of international visitors on diplomatic missions, and domestic visitors to lobby for funding or visiting for educational purposes. This means that the Canberra area is in constant need of hospitality solutions to feed and house the visiting people from within Australia and across the world.
Education
Canberra is well-known as one of Australia’s intellectual powerhouses, attracting academics from across the country to work in the tertiary institution and the many research bodies that are based in the nation’s capital. The abundance of domestic and international bureaucrats in the city also generates demand for some of the best educational institutions in the country when it comes to primary and secondary education.
Fun Facts about The ACT
- The Canberra area was originally named “Canberry” by european settler Joshia John Moore, and this was based on the aboriginal word “Kamberra.”
- The plan for Canberra was decided by a competition of 130 entries, the winner of which was designed by Walter Burley Griffin.
- The original aboriginal name “Kamberra” roughly translates to the phrase “Meeting Place.”
- Advertising billboards on the roadside are banned in the ACT, with the exception of bus shelters.
- Each year, over one million people visit Parliament House, which has a total of 5,000 staff that work in the building.
Top Five Reasons to Live in The ACT
- Traffic. The well-planned city is home to the least amount of traffic in Australia. This could be a great place to live to avoid road rage.
- Learning. Canberra is home to some of the best educational institutions, and has a wealth of museums to learn from and enjoy.
- Government employment options. For those with suitable skills and education, there are plenty of opportunities to work in Australia’s public sector.
- Half Way Between Two Cities. If you are trying to decide between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is halfway between the two for easy weekends away.
- Cleanliness. Canberra takes great pride in being a very tidy city, always looking pristine for its many visitors.
Closing Thoughts
Australia’s capital city is certainly filled with plenty of sightseeing and educational opportunities. For the right person who is looking for opportunities to work for the Australian government, Canberra is the place to be. The centre of the nation is also home to some of the best research and sporting institutions in Australia. Canberra is a great place to live for those who want to contribute to accelerating Australia’s future.
Visa options for the ACT
Although it is a city, the entire ACT is considered “regional” for the purposes of skilled migration visas. This means you can settle in the ACT using one of the regional visa subclasses – without restriction. You can find general information about Australian skilled migration visas here.
With the so-called “Canberra Matrix”, the ACT also offers a transparent application process for state nomination.
What can the visa pathway look like?
There are different ways to make the dream of living and working in Australia a reality. The key is choosing the strategy that brings you closest to your goal – meaning the visa option that offers the best prospects in your individual situation. Each visa subclass has its own requirements and is linked to specific rights and conditions. The best approach will always depend on your personal circumstances.
That is why it is important to approach your Australian visa pathway in a structured way and clarify the key requirements in advance, in order to avoid problems during the application process. Visapath Australia is happy to help you map out your roadmap to an Australian work visa. We advise you on the different options and support you step by step along the way.
