Australia Explained

Did you know that by donating your organs and tissues when you die, you could save or improve the life of at least ten people? With thousands of Australians being on transplant waiting lists or dialysis, it's important that more people become donors.

Theres a growing need for families to give foster children loving and safe homes. Welcoming a child from your cultural or linguistic community into your home also brings many benefits. And carers from culturally diverse backgrounds are also in high demand. So, how to become a foster carer?

Many Australians would love to be their own boss. But running a small business takes hard work. So, how do you to start and what does it take to be successful when times get tough?

Hearing an auctioneers call of Going one, going twice, sold! is common to many property buyers in Australia. Buying at auction is one of the most popular ways to buy a house, but there are many traps for those who do not know the rules and may end up making a costly mistake.

Cost of living pressures are a concern for many Australian families. The federal government offers different types of payments to help families, including the family tax benefit. Do you know if you're eligible, how you could access it and what changes are coming from 1 July?

Every year, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers arrive in Australia. They are often fleeing war, persecution and torture. Making sure they can access healthcare, including mental health services, is an important part of their settlement. But the Australian healthcare system can bring new challenges for them.

We might not hear about elder abuse very often but the government believes up to ten per cent of older Australians suffer abuse every year. And it's often difficult for older migrants, who face additional barriers when it comes to reporting the abuse. There are ways to get help.

Whether its reporting suspicious activity, or being random breath tested, many of us will meet police in our day to day lives. However, for some new arrivals it can be a fearful experience, reminding them of corruption or injustice in their homelands. A new initiative called Coffee with a Cop is trying to overcome old resentments towards police.

Fire, floods or burglary at your home could see you lose everything. This is why home and contents insurance exists. So, how do you find the best policy for your needs?

Public anxiety about housing affordability is at an all-time high. Can the federal budget help those on low incomes, refugees and recent arrivals who are on public housing waiting lists?

Being new to Australia often means adapting to a new language but also to new laws and possible fines. It can be difficult to understand why you get fines, how to pay them or how to dispute them. Theres support for those who need it to dispute fines and understand the legal system better.

Australia has over five hundred national parks spreading across deserts, forests, mountains and water. While their main purpose is to protect the native flora, fauna and culture, they also exist for Australians and visitors to enjoy.

On average, one Australian dies every 12 minutes as a result of a cardio vascular disease. When it comes to heart attacks, one Australian dies almost every hour. Do you know how to recognise the signs of a heart attack and what to do if it happens?

Anzac Day has become a symbol of Australias national identity. Anzacs means the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and included many Indigenous and multicultural servicemen and women.

Starting school is a crucial step for children and families in settling in Australia. Children of migrant families often experience additional barriers in connecting to their new school community. Parents play a vital role in their kid's education and experts encourage them to be actively involved in their childs school.

No one is immune from sexually transmitted infections and yet, for many migrant communities in Australia, discussing sexual health and safety is still sometimes considered taboo. Looking after your sexual health is as important as any other aspect of your health. From the SBS Settlement Guide, here are some tips for staying safe.

A lack of Australian experience and cross-cultural misunderstandings can provide additional barriers. Using "Jobactive", the Australian Government's initiative connecting job seekers with employers, is one way of finding employment.

All Australians are equal before the law but not everybody can afford to pay for the legal services required to obtain justice. In order to close this gap, there are eight legal aid commissions in Australia, one in each state and territory. The purpose of legal aid commissions is to provide vulnerable, disadvantaged and newly arrived Australians with access to justice.

Oral health is about much more than just having a pretty smile. The health of your mouth often reflects and can have an impact on the state of the rest of your body. Dental care is expensive in Australia, but there are ways to bring down the costs.

When renting a property, tenants have key rights and responsibilities. However a new survey says many renters experience anxiety and discrimination, with new migrants particularly vulnerable to discrimination and exploitation in the housing market.

The Australian unemployment rate continues at 5.7 per cent for the ninth consecutive month, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics February 2017 data. There is support available for those who are looking for work.

As more women join the workforce the demand for suitable and affordable child care grows. The cost varies and its often difficult to navigate the system. So, how do you know what services are available and whether your family is eligible to access government subsidy?

Australians are getting older and the need for good quality aged care is a growing concern. Many don't know about the services and how they can access them.

For new Australians, securing accommodation is an integral part of the settlement process. Community groups across the country work alongside governments to help those most in need develop sustainable and effective solutions. But one of these solutions, public housing, is now harder to find.

When we are sick the first point of contact is often the family doctor. Family doctors are commonly referred to as general practitioners or GPs in Australia. All Australian citizens, permanent residents and certain visa holders can access Medicare, which provides free or subsidised treatment by doctors and specialists.

In Australia consumers have rights under the law called consumer guarantees - and they could save you money. However, people whove recently settled in Australia can be extra vulnerable to questionable deals and businesses.

Australias national day has its roots in the countrys colonial past. Many Indigenous Australians regard it as Invasion or Survival Day. How has the meaning of Australia Day changed over time?

Being able to drive in a car is a necessity for many new arrivals to Australia. Yet, knowing if you need an Australian drivers licence and how to get one can change from state to state.

It's hailed as the biggest health policy since Medicare. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to provide the nearly half a million Australians who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to enjoy an ordinary life.

Australias First Peoples are the world's oldest living civilization, dating back some 50,000 years, according to a recent genetic study by an international team of academics. Yet, many Australians know little about the history of our First Peoples.

The ASX, Gold, Crude Oil, shares and the Aussie dollar. We hear the finance report on the news every day. It may sound alien or foreign, and you might feel it has nothing to do with you. Do you know what it means?

Australia is welcoming more skilled migrants - arrivals with tertiary qualifications have almost doubled since 2001. When a lack of local experience and qualifications becomes a hurdle to getting a job what assistance is on offer?

Emotional abuse is recognised as a damaging element of family violence. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says 3.3 million Australians have experienced emotional abuse by a partner since the age of 15. In migrant communities there are additional barriers which can impact on how the abuse is experienced. So, what exactly is emotional abuse and what are its effects?

In many migrant communities providing daily care for family and friends is a way of life and not something you ask for help with. National Carers Week (16-22 October) is a chance to show support for the vital role of carers and highlight the needs of carers supporting diverse communities.

Cyber threats posed by technological developments are often one step ahead of the users and online intelligence services. Language barriers can be a significant impediment to identifying threats. So, what are the dangers of cyberspace and how can we protect our privacy online?

There are many reasons why a person may wish to change their name. While the process to change is relatively simple, there are concerns some migrants change their name to avoid discrimination.

According to the Australian Drug Foundation, nearly three in ten teenagers have had a glass of alcohol in the past year. For many migrant parents addressing drug use can be a daunting task. Experts advise to stay calm and be non-judgemental.

A stroke is not a heart attack. A stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is suddenly disrupted. Getting urgent medical help is critical to survival and recovery.

Learning to speak and write English is a key skill for migrants to Australia. Many English learning programs are available for free, through hundreds of locations across the country.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and yet Alzheimers Australia predicts by mid-century almost a million people will be living with the illness. Patients from diverse backgrounds face additional challenges in getting an early diagnosis and care support which meets their needs. Carers and health experts advocate a cultural approach to dementia care

Reflecting our evolving population, AFL has become more multicultural with many new migrants taking up footy for a sense of belonging. These athletes often act as an inspiration and role model for their communities.

Australia is undergoing digital disruption that is set to dramatically change the workforce. Yet with a continued decline in student uptake of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school subjects Australia will need to look overseas to bring in skilled migrants as we prepare the next generation for the digital future.

Every hour four people go missing in Australia. This year's National Missing Persons Week (31 July - 6 August) aims to raise awareness about the impacts on families and communities when a loved-one goes missing.

Australias census has a history of keeping personal information secure and private. However, this year the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will make it compulsory for people to include their names and addresses. Privacy advocates are concerned that the move will not only lead to public backlash against the census but also undermine the accuracy and credibility of the census results.

The 2016 census on August 9 will be Australia's biggest ever survey. Run every five years, the census identifies key characteristics of the population to help plan for the country's future. And this year most people will complete it online.

Australia's major cities are housing most of our population - two in three of us live in a capital city. Growing urbanisation has prompted governments to find new ways to encourage migrants to settle in regional and rural towns. However living in the country has its challenges.

The federal election is just around the corner with the 45th Parliament of Australia set to be formed after election day on July 2. So how do elections determine our next government?