In view of the great distances between cities (4 500 kms between Perth and Sydney ; 3 200 kms between Darwin and Sydney) and time differences which make contact difficult with a very dispersed community, seven consular agencies serve as relays on behalf of the Consulate in each of the capital and main cities (Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth).

The Consulate General of France estimates that the French community of Australia comprised 70 000 people in 2006. Of these, 55 000 (mostly dual nationals) were not registered at the Consulate General. In addition, more than 6 000 young French people are currently visiting Australia as part of the Working Holiday Visa program.

1. An ever increasing number of registered nationals

The number of French nationals registered at this Consulate general is on a constant rise : 6,000 in 1992, 10,000 in 2001 following the closure of the Consulate-General of France in Melbourne and 14,500 in October 2004. In five years, the number of French citizens registered at the Consulate General has increased by 53%. The average age of those registered is 37 years and 51% are women.

2. A young French community

The registered community is a relatively young one since the average age of adults is 36 years old. Also, 21% of the registered community is under 15 years old. A bit more than half of the registered French nationals hold dual nationality (Australian for most). Our community is a relatively mobile one and in this, it finds commonality with the local tendency : it is indeed rare to see Australian nationals settle for more than a continuous two to three years. This being said, our community nevertheless remains an essentially urban one.

3. Geographic distribution

As is the case for nearly 85% of Australians, the French of Australia live, for the most part, in the urban centres of Sydney, Melbourne and the other capital cities. The geographical distribution of registered French citizens corresponds largely to that of the Australian population in general, except for a disproportionately high number residing in New South Wales and disproportionately low number in Victoria and South Australia. In 2006, 2608 French citizens living in Victoria were registered with the French Consulate General. This represents 17.5% of the total number in Australia. However, we estimate the total number to be four times that.

4. French tourists

According to the Australian Tourist Commission, 67 400 French residents visited Australia as tourists in 2006, an increase of 8% from 2005.

5. Delegates to the Assembly of French nationals living abroad (AFE)

Two of the three delegates to the AFE for the Pacific area reside in Sydney: Mr. John MacColl and Mrs Marie-Claire Guilbaud. The third delegate, Mrs. Janine Sandmayer, resides in Melbourne (Victoria).