Rank 6: Australia Australia (6th) is one of the top countries in the Attract pillar (6th), the result of combining External Openness (8th) with good Internal Openness (11th), and in the Global Knowledge Skills pillar (5th). Formal Education (4th) is among the best in the world, although Lifelong Learning has room for improvement; Vocational and Technical Skills (25th) could also improve. (Text: 2017 Global Talent Competitiveness Index)