In Australia, skilled visa issues often take much of the limelight. But of course, there are still many things to talk about the land down under other than that. And you will likely find them even more interesting than talking about visas and passports.

Australia skilled visa

One of these popular topics of discussion is sports. In fact, sports are very much a part of an Australian's way of life, much like kangaroos and barbecue (well not really that much, but you do get the drift). And if you are a foreigner on your first time in the country, a useful tip that you can keep in mind if you want to start a conversation with the locals: talk about sports first and you will likely get their attention.

As a sports loving nation, there are are many kinds of events that people here love. One of the most popular is perhaps cricket. In fact, cricket is often considered as the country's national sport, as it enjoys a significant level of participation in the country. For those not familiar with the game, cricket is somewhat similar to baseball or softball, though played on a somewhat slower pace.

Despite that, the game still draws huge attention from spectators in the country. More than 20,000 people regularly attend matches held in various parts of the country. And the Australian national cricket team are by no means strangers in the international scene. In fact, the team is actually one of the most dominant groups in the international cricket circuit, winning several major titles.

Australia skilled visa

On the other hand, if you are looking for something a bit faster, then rugby football would probably be the right one for you. Both variations of the sport, rugby league and rugby union, enjoy equal popularity among fans (the main difference between the two are the number players). Rugby is akin to the sport of American football, minus the body gear. The game lists more than 80,000 players around the country. Just like cricket, Australia is also a dominant force in the international scene. And in here, country's friendly rivalry with New Zealand is one of the most anticipated events.

Because of the country's love for sports, it is not surprising that Australia is actually one of the most dominant teams in the quadrennial Olympic Games. In fact, in the last four Games held (with the country hosting the 2000 Sydney Olympics), Australia consistently placed in the top ten countries. Many notable Australian sports personalities have also since went on to play for various leagues worldwide.