EQs in Australia occur ON the plate rather than as a result of two tectonic plates bumping into each other. In eastern Australia, earthquakes occur to depths of about 20 km.
Shallow earthquakes cause more damage as a general rule.
Australian earthquakes are more likely to be found under areas of higher elevation like the Eastern Highlands and the Flinders Ranges. They are less frequent in sedimentary basins like the Murray Basin or the Great Artesian Basin. The rocks in Eastern Australia are younger and softer, and absorb energy at a rate that is about the world average or greater. Earthquakes in Western and Central Australia, where the rocks are older, will be felt over greater distances than those in Eastern Australia. Another area where Australia tends to see earthquakes is around dams and reservoirs.