The Commonwealth of Australia includes the Australian continent's mainland and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by area and the only one that governs an entire continent. Established in 1901, Australia was among the first nations to adopt modern democracy and continues to have a stable, liberal democratic system with six states and several territories. Its population of 25 million is primarily concentrated in urban and coastal areas.

Australia is a highly developed and affluent nation, with the 14th-largest economy globally and ranked 3rd on the UN’s Human Development Index.

Australia is a member of several international organizations, including ANZUS, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Commonwealth of Nations, the G20, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization.

All foreign nationals, except New Zealand citizens, are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Australia. There are two migration categories for non-citizens: temporary and permanent. Temporary resident visas permit stays for specific purposes such as tourism, visiting family, study, work, or medical treatment, and often lead to eligibility for permanent residency.