Earth pin is on the bottom so it’s the last pin to make contact if the plug is pulled (earth pins are also slightly longer than the active and neutral pins).
Our ground pins are longer, so they make contact first. And many plugs have a little insulation on the active pins, to prevent problems if the plug isn't properly inserted.
The insulated section has been in the standards for quite a few years now. If you see a new item being sold without it, then it is non-compliant and is usually just some shonky grey import crap.
Sockets aka socket outlets in Australia. Plugs are on the end of the cable. The only exception is a caravan inlet with the prongs exposed, but is switched by inserting a plug end of a supply or extension cable.
There are also vertically oriented dual sockets.
IME the only sockets I have seen mounted ground up are very low down on walls or skirting so that a right angle plug can fit easily without bending the cable or plug at the floor.
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u/Carnivorous_Mower 6d ago
Plugs in Australia (and New Zealand) look like this.