Australia Explained

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is an important tax liability added to your taxable income for the financial year. It is not a separate tax. Read more to understand what it is and how the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) enforces it.

Becoming an Australian citizen is an exciting and rewarding experience for many migrants. But to achieve citizenship, you must first pass the Australian citizenship test. It measures your knowledge of Australia's history, culture, values, and political system.

Who doesn’t love a picnic outdoors when the weather is right? Park hangouts are a favourite for people in Australia. Here are some rules and etiquette tips for when using your local park to ensure everyone is enjoying their time.

If you’re out travelling or exploring in Australia and encounter injured or ill wildlife, knowing how best to help will ensure the animals get the required care.

The decision to begin childcare at an early stage might appear beneficial for both your child and your career. However, it has the potential to disrupt the lives of many families, particularly those who are new migrants or first-time parents. What steps can recently arrived migrants take to adequately prepare their families for effectively managing this challenge?

Unlike some other countries, Australians do not pay an inheritance tax on the assets they inherit. Even so, strict inheritance laws are in place, and with more than 50 per cent of Australians dying without a Will, the courts often intervene.

Learning English can serve as both a requirement for your student visa and a pathway to future academic pursuits. It also has the potential to enhance your career prospects or become a personal goal. With so many study options and informal learning opportunities, there should be few obstacles to improving your English skills.

Australians will vote in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum on October 14. Here’s what you need to know about the process, including why it’s taking place, and the information that communities can expect to help guide their decisions at the polls.

The award-winning, SBS Audio's multi-platform series "Settlement Guide" has rebranded to "Australia Explained". The series will remain as a weekly podcast and article offering, committed to support new migrants navigate life in Australia. Stay tuned for a wealth of expert advice and firsthand experiences shared by fellow migrants aimed at making your transition to Australia both enriching and fulfilling.

Making friends is one of the biggest challenges people can face in a new country. We naturally form support networks with people from similar cultural backgrounds – but imagine taking a leap and expanding your friendship circle. Cross-cultural friendships will improve your outlook and heighten your sense of belonging.

If you own a pet cat or are planning to, being a responsible cat owner will help keep your cat safe and protect Australia’s native wildlife as well.

Australia is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations. It’s also currently one of the hardest places to find rental accommodation. More than ever, it’s important to understand the housing options that cater exclusively to the needs of students.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Australians relocate interstate for work, education, lifestyle, family, or better community support. As laws, regulations and service providers may differ around the country; a checklist can help your move go smoother.

Negative gearing is a common term associated with investment properties in Australia. It refers to a situation where the expenses incurred in owning and operating an investment property exceed the returns generated from it. So what is the concept of negative gearing and its implications?

Regardless of your job, requesting for pay increase when you believe you deserve one is an expected part of Australian workplace culture. In some cases, an increase in your salary may even be a legal requirement. Here's the advice from experts that you should consider before initiating a pay conversation with your boss.

When travelling overseas, Australians may require vaccinations to protect themselves against infectious diseases that are either absent in Australia or more prevalent in other parts of the world. Here's how you can best prepare for your trip.

Under the Family Law Act the welfare rights of the child guide all parenting negotiations following separation or divorce. A child under 18 cannot legally decide where to live, therefore there are resources available to help parents agree on care arrangements that are safe, practical and child-focused.

Australians are fortunate to have choice when it comes to finding a schooling system that suits our children and our circumstances. This is particularly true of metropolitan areas. With excellent educational opportunities across three sectors, choosing the right school can be a difficult decision for parents to make.

Right now, fewer than 50,000 rental properties are available across the country. Two years ago, that number was almost double. With the vacancy rate at a historic low, finding a rental property is tougher than ever. Understanding the process will give you a head start.

About one in nine people in Australia are carers — people who look after an ageing or frail relative or friend, or for someone living with a health condition or disability. But many carers do not recognise themselves as such, or know there is a range of free support services available to them.

Family, domestic and sexual violence are major health and welfare issues in Australia, as two in five people have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. Family violence can affect anybody, but migrant women face additional barriers when they need to get help.

Home is supposed to be the place where we feel most comfortable. But our comfort zone can be shattered when we don’t get along with our neighbours. Here's how you can resolve a neighbourhood dispute without going to court.

In Australia, sexual violence is a criminal offence. If you have been forced, threatened, coerced, or tricked into a sex act against your will, you may wish to report it to the police for the perpetrator to face charges. However, this process may be legally and emotionally taxing. Here’s what to expect.

In Australia, non-consensual sexual activity is a criminal offence, whether it takes place in real life or online. In some jurisdictions, alleged perpetrators accused of sexual assault or rape must prove in court that they obtained consent before engaging in sexual activity. So, how can you ensure you’re having consensual sex?

Identity crime is a significant threat in Australia, with a growing number of people falling victim every year. Those impersonated often face severe consequences, including financial losses, damage to their credit score, and legal ramifications. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of having your personal information stolen or misused.

Fines are monetary penalties for breaking the law. Ignoring a fine comes with significant ramifications, no matter where you live in Australia.

Moving to a different country long-term often comes with multiple emotional trials. As migrants endure the rollercoaster of culture shock and adapting to a foreign environment, many often feel a complex sense of displacement and identity loss. So, what can migrants do to cope and feel ‘whole’ again?

Being involved in a motor vehicle collision can be overwhelming, even when no one is injured and the damage to vehicles or property is minor. Here’s your step-by-step guide on what to do if you are caught in a major or minor car crash in Australia, how you can seek help, and what your rights are if you are at fault or not.

Divorce is one of the most stressful transitions people can experience in life. Given the high financial and emotional costs of going to court, the Australian legal system incentivises mediation and family dispute resolution alternatives prior to litigation.

Home fire safety goes beyond having smoke alarms installed. In Australia, fatal residential fires are sadly common, despite being preventable. Here’s what you need to know to stop one from breaking out in your home.

Driving a car offers independence and increases job opportunities, but it also comes with the great responsibility of keeping roads safe. In Australia, drivers need to pass several assessments before they become fully licensed. Migrants may be eligible to convert their overseas licences to Australian ones through an abridged process, but this depends on their personal circumstances.

Accidents and sudden illness can strike anywhere. First aid training can make all the difference, from treating an injury at a critical time to saving a life. In Australia, there are various options for first aid training according to your needs and budget.

Superannuation is complex. Did you know that your savings are not forever lost even if you have an inactive super account? But what is the recovery process? And what happens to super if moving overseas or when the account holder dies? Here's your complete guide to super.

Medicare subsidises a wide range of essential medical services, including visits to the doctor, blood and pathology tests, scans, x-rays, and some surgeries or procedures. It also covers annual eye tests by an optometrist, as well as child immunisations.

Abortion is an essential healthcare service in Australia. Women have access to termination options early in the pregnancy, but navigating choices to suit personal circumstances isn’t always straightforward.

When we think of Australian beaches, sharks often come to mind. On average one fatal attack is reported each year, but in the same period we averaged 122 coastal drowning deaths, with 25 per cent due to dangerous rip currents. Knowing where and when to swim is the best defence against these beach hazards.

Australians place great value in green spaces. The personal, community and environmental benefits of plant life are profound. This is why regulations are in place to guide what we can and can’t do in our gardens and streets.

In Australia, the quickest way to get an ambulance in a medical emergency, is by dialling Triple Zero (000). Here is a guide on how and when to call an ambulance in all Australian states and territories.

Bushwalkers are rescued every day in Australia. Careful preparation will reduce your chances of getting lost. But if you do lose your way, some smart choices will increase the likelihood that you are found.

Moving out or doing a home clean-up? Unwanted, bulky household items for disposal are considered hard waste. Here’s what you need to know to get rid of them responsibly and safely.

In Australia, there are 14 rights that protect anyone receiving government-funded aged care, whether at home or at a residential facility. But what happens if you or a loved one are unsatisfied with the service?

Australia has many venomous animal and insect species. Knowing what to do and what to avoid when bitten by a snake or spider can help save a life. Here’s the expert advice on how to respond whether you suffer a venomous or non-venomous bite.

In the last decade, Australia has experienced some of its worst flooding in recorded history. Knowing how to prepare for severe weather could save your property. Deciding whether or not to evacuate and how, could save your life.

Regular physical activity is essential for good physical and mental health and wellbeing. Community sport is informal and inclusive, and the benefits for newly arrived migrants can be profound.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous horse race. While it has historically attracted huge crowds, it also raises questions over the ethics and practices of the racing industry, its treatment of animals and influence on problem gambling.

Online shopping offers consumers a range of benefits such as convenience and savings, but it also carries a set of risks. While many legitimate online retailers collect personal data, scammers are also taking advantage of the surge of e-commerce to target and defraud vulnerable Australians.

Sex education is still one of the most challenging topics for parents to discuss with their children. Fortunately, sexual health is widely taught in Australian schools, and parents can access many resources to help them overcome feelings of shame or awkwardness. Here are some experts’ top tips to help parents have these chats.

Alcohol is an intrinsic part of Australian culture and plays a central role in many people’s social lives. People with alcohol use disorders drink to excess, endangering both themselves and possibly others. Here's how to tell if a loved one has an alcohol dependence and how to help them.

Australia, a country prone to extreme weather-related hazards, has a new nationally standardised Australian Fire Danger Rating System, and the Australian Warning System to help communities and first respondents understand risks, prepare, and react to different emergencies. Here's what the severity levels mean and what you should do for each one.

By law, Australians are considered adults at 18. But how does transitioning to adulthood affect the life of a young person and their parents on practical terms?