Economy
The ACT economy is driven by Canberra. Almost half the jobs in this city are in government or government services with many more private jobs servicing the government departments. The unemployment rate is usually below the national average.
Manufacturing employs only a small proportion of the workforce. Production is primarily for local consumers, the construction industry, government, and other local activities. The largest industry is paper and paper products, which includes a large printing industry. There is a small but growing high-technology sector.
Service activities are an important and growing part of the economy. Government administration and defence claim the largest segment of the service sector, followed by property and business services, health and community services, and education. Other significant components of the sector include those that interact directly with government, such as the media, lobbying groups, and national associations.
Tourism
Although one of Australia’s smallest regions, the ACT attracts a high number of domestic and international visitors each year. They are attracted by the national parliament and other federal institutions, embassies, museums and galleries, and Canberra’s reputation as a “planned city”.
Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities, a city in a park, and is surrounded by native bushland.
It is a thriving, modern city with stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for children and a busy calendar of events and festivals.
The surrounding region offers more than 30 wineries, historic townships and the famous Snowy Mountains.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers walking trails, ranger-guided activities, Australian animals in their natural habitat, beautiful wildflowers during spring and a rich Indigenous and pioneer heritage.
Namadgi National Park is perfect for picnics or bushwalks on numerous marked trails, or to experience native flora and fauna and enjoy spectacular wildflowers in spring. The indigenous rock art and Aboriginal shelters are easily accessible.
Transport
Canberra’s transport links with the rest of Australia are provided mainly by road and air and to a limited extent by rail. Direct and frequent air services to Sydney and Melbourne connect to services to other parts of Australia and to overseas destinations.
Canberra has a well-developed network of roads and streets that provide for fast travel between the urban districts. High-speed expressways skirt the districts, within which arterial roads follow routes between suburbs, leaving streets within the residential areas relatively free of through traffic. In the urban areas, travel is entirely by road and predominantly by private car. A network of bus routes provides relatively infrequent service, and only a small proportion of the citizens use buses to commute to work; even fewer people walk or ride bicycles.
Education
- University of Canberra
o Canberra
- Australian National University
o Canberra
- Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW)
o Canberra
