News Rundown
Too time-poor to keep up with Australian news? We’ve collated recent news in the policy and business landscape to keep you informed!
Health
January
- Young people can stay under their parents’ health insurance until the age of 31 from this year as more are expected to stay in education and live at home longer > https://bit.ly/38IsTeS
- The federal government’s authorised rise in private health insurance premiums will leave families an extra $126 a year on average out of pocket > https://bit.ly/3smEQi2
- Enrolling in Medicare > https://bit.ly/38ECoLN
- Medicare to cover breakthrough devices > https://bit.ly/2MRHP1x
February
- Millenial’s guide to private health insurance in Australia > https://bit.ly/36Yz3WM
- The government is considering changes to Australia’s Prostheses List, a database of more than 11,000 medical devices that dictates what health insurers have to fork out if a member receives a treatment such as a joint replacement, pacemaker or stent. > https://bit.ly/3rEMXoW
- Australia secures an additional 10 million doses of the Pfizer Vaccine > https://bit.ly/2Z5Sn08
March
- Qld sees record number of COVID-19 cases from Papua New Guinea > https://bit.ly/3cEBoZ0
- Doctors, healthcare workers to be punished for anti-vax COVID claims > https://bit.ly/3eV3CkO
- Australians now able to book vaccine appointments online > https://bit.ly/3lnZfjs
- Electronic Medical Records will be linked to My Health Record in South Australia > https://bit.ly/3rQZG8u
- $10 million for National Mental Health Research Centre > https://bit.ly/3bV1FTL
- $15 million for development of innovative therapies for mental illness > https://bit.ly/3qV5Gfl
April
- Healthcare workers cancelling AstraZeneca jab appointments, waiting for Pfizer > https://bit.ly/3eu7oA9
- Australia to cut flights from India to contain virus risk > https://reut.rs/3et9aRZ
- Australian startups team up to provide telehealth solution to aboriginal groups > https://bit.ly/32FZdes
- ‘Like hunting for unicorns’: Australians on the search for adequate, affordable mental healthcare > https://bit.ly/32C8nZk
- South Australia implements real-time prescription monitoring system > https://bit.ly/32DdCIr
Child Care
January
- Education Department documents show daycare fees are projected to rise 4.1 per cent a year for the next four years, far outstripping inflation. Labor predicts all the savings from the new system will be wiped out within a year, despite $9 billion in annual subsidies > https://bit.ly/2N3bZ24
February
- Labour child care plan aims to get more parents back to work > https://bit.ly/3tMAn9a
- How much it costs to raise a child in Australia > https://bit.ly/2LFy9Hp
March
- Child care is set to be a key issue at the next federal election. So what might it look like? > https://ab.co/3cFOViX
- Gastro soars in childcare centres after COVID-19 restrictions eased > https://bit.ly/3lpe59A
April
- Labor plans to remove ‘biggest disincentives’ in the childcare system if elected > https://bit.ly/2ROf8Fc
- More than 40 WA childcare centres sanctioned for safety breaches > https://bit.ly/2QQNJCh
Superannuation
February
- Superannuation increase to be taken out of wages > https://ab.co/3cXheLD
March
- Malcolm Turnbull backs superannuation increase as research shows it will lift wages > https://bit.ly/3lps5jL
- Top four superannuation mistakes Australians are making according to finance expert > https://bit.ly/2OBOE8Y
- New federal scheme to allow domestic violence survivors to access superannuation for crisis response > https://ab.co/3bT2XP3
- ‘Will make things worse’: Domestic violence superannuation policy under review after backlash > https://bit.ly/3eLiEd4
- Money traps to avoid when moving back to Australia > https://bit.ly/2RZmUMz
April
- How low can super fees go? How new changes will affect what you pay > https://bit.ly/2QpvO5I
- Government walks away from blocking legislated super guarantee rises > https://bit.ly/3dEVuEe
- Superannuation guarantee: Rise to 10 per cent in July under cloud > https://bit.ly/2RW6XqC
- Rainmaker reveals Australia’s most ESG superannuation funds > https://bit.ly/3dKfqFI
School
January
- Debate over Australia’s educational system > https://bit.ly/3snGsYQ
- Did you know Queensland’s senior schooling system has changed? > https://bit.ly/2XFfxK2
February
- Top scholarships offered to international students in Australia > https://bit.ly/3qeuRd6
- Most expensive city to send your child to school > https://bit.ly/3a8PaDi
March
- Big Science Competition free to schools Australia-wide > https://bit.ly/3qX1Mm3
- ADHD report highlights financial burden, challenges at school for kids and families > https://ab.co/30WXpg0
- How Consent Education Fell Behind In Australia > https://bit.ly/30QWhL9
April
- We need bold schools reform, not tinkering > https://bit.ly/3guVbxt
- States spoil Australia’s school scorecard > https://bit.ly/32SNGst
- Minimum ratio of school psychologists needed as mental illness soars > https://bit.ly/3axkhrT
- Alan Tudge’s 10-year plan to get schools back to basics > https://bit.ly/3gKHVoT
University
January
- Deepest cuts: what will university students face this year? > https://bit.ly/2MUgbB2
February
- Amid cuts, what does the future of Art School look like? > https://bit.ly/3jAuozw
- Huge increase in demand for postgraduate courses as Australians look to upskill > https://bit.ly/3aQ68pa
- Australia’s university sector is unlikely to recover from COVID-19 this year > https://ab.co/2Om4eVr
- Overseas students dump Australia as an option > https://bit.ly/3qbKPoa
March
- ANU plans to end neuroscience research as it struggles to save $103 million annually > https://ab.co/3r3T9q0
- Mark Scott AO has been appointed the 27th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney > https://bit.ly/2P19Qow
- Melbourne’s Real-World Impact on Climate Change > https://bit.ly/3tqjakG
April
- Tudge calls for universities to bring all local students back on campus > https://bit.ly/3aB8MQ2
- Closure of Indonesian language programs in Australian universities will weaken ties between the two countries > https://bit.ly/3gwVAzz
- Universities post healthy surpluses amid international student “collapse” > https://bit.ly/32DEuaW
- Cutting Asian language courses at Australian universities hurting students’ job prospects, experts say > https://bit.ly/3vqvC5d
- ‘There’ll be a shakeup’: International student intakes plunge compared to pre-pandemic levels > https://bit.ly/3vcRroG
- Australia’s universities dominate global impact rankings > https://bit.ly/2RS5fq1
- Record international student enrolments at UQ for 2021 as universities offer online study discounts > https://bit.ly/3gBsIGm
Tax
January
- Tax cuts gave 8 million more cash over summer in spending boost for economy > https://bit.ly/3oHYJhi
- Australian expats warned of tax bills on return post-pandemic > https://bit.ly/3i8Vkpl
- Australia’s Broadband Tax Starts on January 1 > https://bit.ly/3bP3qCv
February
- EU to hit Australia with a border tax on carbon emissions > https://bit.ly/2OiL8zy
- ACOSS calls for new superannuation tax to help fund aged care > https://bit.ly/3rGGKsv
- Online rally held to oppose new Australian electric vehicle tax > https://bit.ly/3p9zow6
March
- Get a head start on tax planning in 2021 > https://bit.ly/3eSrPIG
- ATO clarifies JobKeeper repayment tax deductibility > https://bit.ly/2QcFgZD
- Victorian government tax on electric vehicles a ‘disincentive’ to go green, users say > https://ab.co/2P1EKNx
- Money traps to avoid when moving back to Australia > https://bit.ly/2RZmUMz
April
- What is Australia’s ‘lamington’ tax break and how much is it worth to you? > https://bit.ly/3dIk1Z7
- $1,080 tax bonus on cards for 10 million Aussies > https://yhoo.it/32LYw33
- Expenses ATO will target in Australians 2021 tax returns > https://bit.ly/3sKSday
- Australians who earn under $126,000 face pay cuts as tax offset ends > https://bit.ly/2QiiW1m
- High spirit tax ‘holding back’ distilling industry despite soaring demand > https://ab.co/3xh5aMU
- Car makers, environmental groups blast ‘worst electric vehicle policy in the world’ > https://bit.ly/3avs7SY
Opportunity/Grants
January
- Listed medical device makers Cochlear and ResMed are preparing to pump more money into research, in a bid to expand their footprints in key markets, one year on from the start of the coronavirus pandemic > https://bit.ly/38GyHoX
- Queensland Government launches $100 million small business grant program > https://bit.ly/2Kgwc3s
- Popular Australian venues receive Fed Govt live music funding > https://bit.ly/3oLFGTd
- A guide to all the grants available to your small business organised by industry > https://bit.ly/3bCOJ56
February
- Grants to boost organ donation rate now open > https://bit.ly/3p3RShu
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants for bushfire regions > https://bit.ly/3tIROr0
March
- Taxpayers fund $50m in gas drilling grants > https://bit.ly/3qVTT07
- Program Support for Media Small Grants Competition > https://bit.ly/3eRuB0E
- First space techs awarded ‘Moon to Mars’ grants > https://bit.ly/3lpyDyR
- Victoria rolls out cash grants for businesses affected by snap lockdown > https://bit.ly/3eQeYXr
April
- HomeBuilder grant extended > https://bit.ly/2QNutp5
- $5 million funding boost for regional touring > https://bit.ly/3tWuA0t
- Australia launches grant program to widen Indo-Pacific partnership with India > https://bit.ly/3ekTccu
Migration
January
- Australia likely no longer key migration destination > https://bit.ly/35EoJme
February
- Call for more skilled migration to boost business > https://bit.ly/3qdYhZ0
- Australia lost 600,000 temporary visa holders in 2020 > https://bit.ly/3rHyskh
- Labor pushes for visa applicants to be exempt from having to leave Australia during Covid > https://bit.ly/3de2mJ5
March
- Streamlining skilled migration > https://bit.ly/3rWXYCw
- ‘Goodbye, Australia’: The migrants giving up on the Australian dream for Canada > https://bit.ly/3cMUlss
- Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack promotes a migration to regions — but some country towns are full > https://ab.co/3lpIRis
- Universities demand permanent residency for international students > https://bit.ly/3rXxkJH
- Australia needs ‘sustainable migration’ to boost the economy > https://bit.ly/3cKt5L7
- Scott Morrison says government has ‘open mind’ on post coronavirus migration overhaul > https://bit.ly/3s00szY
April
- Australia’s ‘skilled’ migrants chronically underemployed > https://bit.ly/3sIFmWs
- Is now a good time to move to Australia? > https://bit.ly/3sDug56
- Economists believe Australia’s migration program needs an overhaul > https://bit.ly/3xkFW0j
Jobs
January
- Job vacancies surge to pre-COVID levels, as Australian share market loses momentum > https://ab.co/35EoQ18
- Australia has huge growth in job vacancies, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find one > https://bit.ly/35DL4jM
- Where to look for job opportunities in 2021 after a year of record unemployment > https://ab.co/2LO3TtC
- Main Sequence Ventures talent Network > https://bit.ly/3iTopFt
- Need to find a cofounder? > https://bit.ly/3iPIs7F
February
- New report reveals what jobs and skills will be in demand in Australia by 2025 > https://bit.ly/2LKKdao
- The hidden jobs shift during COVID-19 > https://bit.ly/3tLGL06
March
- Australia Feb jobs beat forecasts, unemployment drops > https://reut.rs/3ls5XoD
- ASX trading flat as Australia awaits unemployment data > https://ab.co/3vyH2oa
- Scott Morrison says JobKeeper must come to an end, speaks on new unemployment figures > https://ab.co/3qXFBfw
- Australia may shed 100,000 jobs in coming months > https://on.mktw.net/2OBsljL
April
- Australia creates 2300 jobs a day as economy bounces back > https://bit.ly/3sMqypM
- Western Australian jobs growth smashes records in March > https://bit.ly/2Qipltq
- Australia must stop wasting time and shift to renewable energy to spark job creation, Albanese says > https://bit.ly/3ned3hv
- Labor argues aged care could be Australia’s next big job opportunity: union says 25% increase is needed – to cost $1.5B a year > https://bit.ly/32DOKjs
- Aussie jobs market powers past ending of JobKeeper > https://bit.ly/3eizhuA
Policy
January
- Australia quietly updated its emissions targets > https://ab.co/3sqmT1S
- Labor pushes for visa applicants to be exempt from having to leave Australia during Covid > https://bit.ly/2XFcYr6
- International students can extend stay via COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa > https://bit.ly/2XA1zcl
- Australia announces visa changes and tougher rules for business migrants > https://bit.ly/3ie55me
February
- Productivity Commission finds Australia’s water policy not up to challenge of climate change, population growth > https://ab.co/3p5bX6Z
- Anthony Albanese to outline Labor’s job security plan in major policy speech > https://bit.ly/2Z2nMAu; https://ab.co/3tOeSoc
March
- Eroding our culture: how the Australian arts have been slowly undermined > https://bit.ly/2Nz2SqA
- Deportation of a minor: how a ‘corrosive’ policy sank cosy relations between Australia and New Zealand > https://bit.ly/3vzx1XP
- Tensions erupt between New Zealand and Australia over controversial criminal deportations > https://ab.co/3vyHzGG
- The ever-shrinking role of gas in Australia’s power system > https://bit.ly/3lt1VMI
- How rape allegations have rocked Australian politics > https://bbc.in/3ePMGw6
April
- Australia’s tax system favours men over women so it’s time to make the budget more female-friendly > https://ab.co/32FmM78
- Australian employers could require some workers to be vaccinated after commission ruling > https://bit.ly/3nbCcJI
- Grant King to overhaul the Climate Change Authority > https://bit.ly/3noHfqx
Elections
January
- Enrolling to vote overseas > https://bit.ly/3bJdJYJ
- Election may impact housing market’s positive outlook – REIA > https://bit.ly/3ifv4th
- Upcoming Elections:
- Next Federal Election – On or before 21 May 2022
- Simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representatives:
- Earliest Date: 7 August 2021
- Latest Date: 21 May
- House of Representatives – On or before 3 September 2022
- WA – 13 March 2021
- TAS – Mid 2022
- SA – 19 March 2022
- VIC – 26 November 2022
- NSW – 23 March 2023
February
- WA election looming and mental health services emerge as key issue > https://ab.co/3a6JHwy
- Zak Kirkup claims underdog status as polls put him well behind Mark McGowan > https://bit.ly/3cZz3K3
- Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup blocks media from questioning candidate ahead of WA election > https://ab.co/2Z5hHTL
- WA election Liberal candidate Andrea Tokaji withdraws after ‘dangerous’ 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory beliefs revealed > https://ab.co/3aa5K5D
- Facing crisis’ on two fronts, McGowan asks Governor to issue writs for WA election > https://bit.ly/36YYU0D
March
- WA election: Record number of women set to claim seat in Parliament following landslide > https://ab.co/3txwmEt
- Labor’s landslide victory win shows Liberal Party on brink of extinction in WA > https://ab.co/3tualGA
- WA election leaves Daylight Saving, Legalise Cannabis parties on verge of joining Parliament > https://ab.co/3xguDGn
April
- If 80% of Australians care about climate action, why don’t they vote like it? > https://bit.ly/2QNDmyX
- How will the Tasmanian election play out? > https://bit.ly/3dNC7sR
- Pre-polling opens in Tasmanian election, but will it be embraced by voters? > https://ab.co/3gCzlrZ
- Postpone the poll: why the Coalition is suddenly looking rattled > https://bit.ly/3tLh9QO
Housing
February
- More than 30 organisations have written letters to the federal, state and territory governments to ensure that Australian Housing is future proofed to provide mandatory accessibility standards > https://ab.co/2MWrlWr
- Housing in regional Queensland scarce due to interstate migration, remote work and returning Aussies > https://ab.co/3aRB5cl
- Australian government’s housing policy continues to ignore low income earners > https://bit.ly/3a94Kid
March
- Calls for human right to shelter in Australia > https://bit.ly/38UoJQJ
- Housing Booms in Australia as Prices Surge Most in 17 Years > https://bloom.bg/3rYEiOM
- Experts say this is what Australia needs to do to solve the housing crisis > https://ab.co/2QgbhAa
April
- Housing boom may be halted by regulators or economic trends, analysts warn > https://ab.co/3nee88X
- Unit prices fall in many city suburbs amid house-led real estate boom > https://ab.co/2QNWXiH
- Reforms needed to improve housing resilience in Australia > https://bit.ly/3tENYid
- 3 reasons why Australia’s booming housing market won’t last long-term > https://bit.ly/3eo6FjU
Other
February
- HyperOne to deploy $1.5bn, 20,000km fibre backbone across Australia > https://bit.ly/3rI0Q5G
March
- $30 million deal will see tiny med tech made in Australia > https://bit.ly/3vv2mLg