Australia Explained

Travel restrictions and social distancing measures of COVID-19 are further delaying processing times for partner visa applicants within and outside Australia. According to the Migration Institute of Australia, just under half of partner visas lodged in the last financial year were granted.

COVID-19 has made us more digitally connected than ever. Whether you are a new user or a seasoned netizen, the internet can be a dangerous place if you don’t know how to recognise the warning signs of a scam.

If your visa is set to be cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic, not seeking prompt legal advice could jeopardise your chances of lawfully staying in Australia.

Australia’s coronavirus curve has flattened but with some restrictions still in place, many are still homebound. Without the freedom to engage in activities we once enjoyed, why not make the most of the current situation by learning a new professional skill or revisiting a lost passion?

COVID-19 is dramatically disrupting on the lives of close to 97,000 bridging visa holders in Australia who are unable to access the federal government’s COVID-19 support schemes.

Grandparents traditionally play a significant role in the Australian family life, but with the government advising older people to stay home, social isolation is changing the way many now approach grandparenting.

Advocates for action on family violence are concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a desperate time for women experiencing family violence who are dependents of temporary visa holders, with their ordeal compounded by barriers in accessing social services due to their visa status.

Australia’s seniors are staying home more than ever due to COVID-19. You may not be able to move about as much, but keeping active is essential to maintaining your immunity and finding a sense of calm amid uncertainty.

While the prime minister wants all schools to resume by June, many parents are keeping their children at home out of concern for their safety. Luckily for those parents, resources and help for home-based learning are available if needed.

If you are over 60 and living with a chronic condition, you may be worried about your regular medical visits during COVID-19 but with Australia’s infection rates controlled better than in many parts of the world, experts say you shouldn’t worry about receiving physical treatment at healthcare facilities.

Sugar has a bittersweet reputation. It occurs naturally in some foods and our body needs it. Yet excess amounts can cause a lot of damage.

Nothing can fight cold or flu so well as home-made chicken soup. Research shows that this humble dish may really help with recovery or at least bring some relief.

We all like to indulge in different kinds of food. Sometimes, however, a pleasure becomes a problem. Binge eating and other eating disorders affect people across cultures, but there is a way out of this cycle.

When we are stressed, tired or sad we may use food as a comfort. Usually it is the unhealthy dishes we crave. Good news is you can still have a healthy lifestyle and enjoy some of your favourite comfort food.

You may have just touched down from an overseas trip or come into contact with someone infected with coronavirus. Now you need to go into quarantine for 14 days with additional restrictions to an already upended lifestyle. What can you do to keep yourself and others safe as you enter a fortnight of further self-isolation?

If you earned an Australian income between July 1 and June 30, you will need to lodge a tax return by October 31. Here are some ways you can claim tax refunds and lessen your tax bill for the financial year.

Many Australians, along with workers from 88% of organisations around the globe, have had to adjust to the sudden change of working from home. Experts say it is in both the employer and employee’s vested interest to maintain a safe work environment.

Winter is coming. Medical professionals are bracing for the worst-case scenario of a potentially overloaded public health system by patients infected by both influenza and coronavirus.

As the devastating impact of COVID-19 is felt across the Australian economy, the banking sector, federal, state and territory governments are taking urgent measures to keep small businesses afloat. Here's how you can build a safety net and weather the storm.

After moving to a new country, there's a lot to organise and a lot of new things to learn. Even if you've been in Australia for years, you probably still encounter situations you don't totally understand. It’s no surprise then that many new migrants decide to live close to their community to make things a bit easier. But is living close to your community always the best option for you?

Australia is one of the world’s most tolerant countries according to a 2013 Pew Research poll which found that nearly eight in ten Australians thought homosexuality should be accepted by society. However, LGBTI activists continue to advocate for wider rights despite the legalisation of same-sex marriage in December 2017.

Finding work for the first time or looking for a new job can take a long time in Australia. So when you finally get called up for a job interview, it's exciting at first, but it can also become quite stressful. The only way to do well during a job interview is to be prepared and have an idea of what to expect.

Australia cannot fight through its worst bushfire season without the selfless sacrifice of its 260,000-strong volunteer firefighters. The National Council for Fire & Emergency Service is calling for volunteers of diverse backgrounds to sign up, to better serve our multicultural population.

Many people choose to become an Australian citizen. More than five million people have been granted citizenship since 1949. The key step is a ceremony where people pledge their loyalty, and accept the rights and responsibilities as an Australian.

If you don't celebrate Christmas, you might be wondering what's going on when you notice somebody dressed as Santa on a surfboard in December. Australians have embraced some European Christmas traditions, but have also created their own. The good news is, there are many ways of doing Christmas in Australia.

Living in a beautiful country with picturesque rivers, lakes and coastlines, it is little wonder that boating and fishing are among Australia’s favourite pastimes. However, with the fun comes responsibility and some essential rules and regulations for boating and fishing that have to be observed to keep everybody safe.

In Australia, refugee organisations offer a range of programs and initiatives to help new arrivals regain a sense of community and belonging in their new country.

School graduation is a big deal for adolescents worldwide. In Australia, school leavers tend to celebrate high school graduation with a weeklong event called Schoolies. Here’s how you can prepare your child for it.

According to the latest survey from the Australian Human Rights Commission, one in three workers say they've been sexually harassed at work over the last five years. But sexual harassment in the workplace is unlawful and shouldn’t be tolerated. If it happens to you or someone you know, there are ways to get help.

With another scorching summer approaching, authorities are pleading with swimmers to use caution as the number of people drowning has jumped by ten per cent since last year.

Nearly all newly arrived migrants settled in Melbourne and Sydney last year while regional Australia is struggling to survive with a shrinking population. The Australian government is offering migrants new permanent residency pathways provided that they stay in regional areas for four years.

Research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that people in their mid to late 20s are the most likely to divorce followed by couples in their late 40s. And those who get divorced have usually been married nine years or less.

The number of Australians in financial distress is on the rise prompting warnings of more personal bankruptcies as the national economy slows down.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children are meant to enjoy equal rights to growing up with access to education, healthcare and safety. However, child advocacy groups believe Australia still has a fair way to go.

Around one in four Australian children are affected by bullying at school. As a parent, it’s important to know what to do if your child is a victim of bullying or if they're the bully themselves.

With children being more tech-savvy than ever, it's important for the adults around them to help them have a positive experience online.

Escalated property prices across Australia make it more difficult for first home buyers to enter the market.

There are several minor offences in Australia that could get you in trouble that you might not know about.

If you're looking to start your career in Australia or are already working and want to upskill or change path, TAFE might be a good option for you. It provides vocational education and training in every Australian state, covering many industries.

Every day, millions of Australians volunteer their time to improve the lives of less fortunate members of our community.

All Australians have the right to participate as active citizens in shaping the society we live in. However, due to past traumatic experiences some new migrants maybe fearful of speaking up in public and do not know how our democratic processes work.

Australians go to the polls to vote in the federal election on 18th May 2019. Voting is compulsory for all eligible citizens over 18. Voters must be enrolled with the Australian Electoral Commission. Once registered, they must vote to avoid penalties. Here is a quick guide on how to vote.

The 2019 Australian federal election is just around the corner when we will elect members of the 46th Parliament of Australia. So how do elections determine our next government?

Both options have different advantages so we've asked property experts to talk us through them.

If your child enters the youth justice system, it’s important to know what are their rights and where to get help.

Getting involved in your children’s school will have a positive effect on their grades and wellbeing. We look at where to start.

Summer has officially started in Australia. Many of us will take advantage of weekends and school holidays to spend time outdoors so here are a few tips to make sure you stay safe.

School holidays can be challenging for many parents. However, there are holiday care programs and free activities to keep your little ones occupied.

In Australia, one in twenty deaths are caused by alcohol or illicit drugs. Nearly one in five adults drink at risky levels and 16 per cent of the population has tried an illicit drug in the past year.

The process and time required to obtain a driver’s license varies in each state and territory. Young novice drivers tend to need a longer period to get their license, whereas mature drivers or those with an existing overseas license can often speed up the process.