Settlement Guide

Every two years, the Diversity Council of Australia publishes the Inclusion@Work Index, a study that maps inclusion and harassment and discrimination across the Australian workforce.   The next Index is being released in December this year. 

Starting a small business is an exciting venture, but it’s a one that comes with numerous challenges. Let’s take a look at how you can make this process simpler and more gratifying.

Australia is a sporting nation, and one of the most exciting ways to integrate into Australian society is through sports - bringing enormous health and social benefits for everyone involved. Here is what you need to know about the four most popular sporting codes.

Private health insurance helps people avoid long wait times for non-urgent procedures and lets them access services that Medicare does not cover. But out of pocket costs may be a deterrent for many people to use it to pay for their medical costs.

A variable loan offers more flexibility and comes with redraw and offset facilities, whereas a fixed-term loan keeps the interest repayments stable during the fixed term. But if you need to break the fixed term, the extra cost may be significant.

With changes in the social security laws set to take effect from 1 January 2022, new permanent residents will have a four-year wait period before they can access most government payments.

With lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney extended, gyms and other training facilities remain out of bounds for people. And a loss of social connection and restricted time outdoors means it’s not just one’s physical health but also mental well-being that may be taking a hit.

People with mental illnesses are more likely to develop physical illnesses. If ignored, mental health issues can worsen and lead to other disorders. But with timely help, one can regain control and come back with renewed spirit.

Taking care of one's physical and mental health paves the way for better holistic well-being down the track. But it's not always easy to do so, especially for women juggling career and household responsibilities. But here's how you can include self-care in your routine.

Stemming from historical injustices, Indigenous disadvantage continues to affect First Nations people resulting in shorter life expectancy, poor health and education outcomes and disproportionately higher incarceration rates.

If you are studying or working and have young children at home, you can access subsidised childcare in Australia. There are different care options available, depending upon whether you satisfy the activities test, and the level of government subsidy depends on your family income.

Family migration makes up almost half of Australia’s annual permanent migration intake this year. With different visas allowing Australian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones on Australian soil, here’s what you need to know about Australia’s family stream visas.

A recent report has found that one in four permanent skilled migrants in Australia are working in jobs below their skill level, costing them and the economy hundreds of millions in foregone wages every year. In this segment of Settlement Guide, we look at some practical ways for new migrants to find employment that matches their skill level, qualifications and work experience.

The buy now, pay later services may have made buying products easier for consumers, but with their increasing popularity and almost ubiquitous presence, concerns are growing that some users may get caught in a debt spiral.

Every five years, a count is taken of every person and home in Australia in the national Census of Population and Housing. The data collected from over 25 million people will help the governments, businesses and community groups to make informed decisions about infrastructure and services for Australians. However, some people may be concerned about sharing their personal information and the safety of their private data. In this episode of Settlement Guide, General Manager of the Census, Chris Libreri, is answering questions about these issues.

Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment Program doubled in size in 2020-21, with over 13,500 visa places in the annual migration program. Over the years, the program has delivered billions of dollars in investment in Australia and provided a pathway to permanent residency for investors, innovators and migrants with business skills. Now, for the first time since 2012, the government has made some significant changes to the program, including slashing the number of visa streams and subclasses from nine to four.

From 1 July 2021, Australia's business and investment visa requirements are changing, applications for Australian citizenship will cost more, a new agriculture visa is being introduced later in the year, and partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsors will have to pass an English test. Find out about all the visa and immigration changes coming into effect in the financial year 2021-22.

NAIDOC Week is celebrated each July to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme Heal Country! calls for greater protections for the Aboriginal lands, water, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction. So, this episode of Settlement Guide looks at ways of exploring and learning about important Indigenous sites within easy reach of our cities.

Superannuation is a mandatory savings scheme designed to help Australians save money that they can use in retirement. However, experts warn that migrant workers who do not pay attention to their super may be losing their savings to unnecessary fees and charges.

Many Australians want to adopt children from other countries, who otherwise don’t have an opportunity to be part of a family. Australia has adoption agreements with several countries, but the process of adopting a child from overseas is lengthy and requires a strong commitment.