2015 was Australia's fifth warmest year on record

Australia has recorded its fifth warmest year on record.

Temperatures were warmer than average across the country in 2015 with record-breaking temperatures from October to December, the Bureau of Meteorology's annual climate statement released on Wednesday says.

Rainfall was well below average in southwest Western Australia, southeast South Australia, western to central Victoria, much of Tasmania, and a large area of inland Queensland, the bureau says.