 The climate of Australia is significantly influenced by ocean currents , including the Indian Ocean Dipole and the El Niño – Southern Oscillation , which is correlated with periodic drought , and the seasonal tropical low @-@ pressure system that produces cyclones in northern Australia . These factors cause rainfall to vary markedly from year to year . Much of the northern part of the country has a tropical , predominantly summer @-@ rainfall ( monsoon ) climate . The south @-@ west corner of the country has a Mediterranean climate . Much of the south @-@ east ( including Tasmania ) is temperate . 
