Australia Explained

Health authorities aim to reach herd (or community) immunity, when enough people are immunised from a disease that an infection cannot spread. However, Australia's immunisation coverage is below herd immunity levels. Now the Australian Government is offering incentive payments to health providers to boost coverage rates.

Navigating the Australian health system, understanding what the doctors say and remembering all the information they give you can be confusing, even if you grew up in Australia. And if you're new to the country it's even harder. But there’s an online tool called My Health Record that can make your life much easier.

Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to higher education. It's no surprise that 90 per cent of its eligible students take up a loan to pay for university. There are different types of loans, as well as scholarships, to assist students with their fees.

Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to higher education. It's no surprise that 90 per cent of its eligible students take up a loan to pay for university. There are different types of loans, as well as scholarships, to assist students with their fees.

Australia has been a secular country since federation. The Constitution of 1901 prohibits the Commonwealth government from interfering with the free exercise of any religion. But how far can freedom of religion go in a country where Christians have been the majority since European settlement, whilst 30 per cent of the population has no religious belief?

As an employee, you have clear rights when it comes to pay, conditions and safety. And theres easy ways to report it, if those rights are not respected.

Migrant workers in Australia have the same rights as Australians when it comes to wages, conditions and safety. And there are easy ways to report if those rights are not respected.

Newly arrived migrants are more likely to be jobless than Australian-born workers. Career coaches say the biggest hurdle many newcomers face is their inability to secure an interview despite their qualifications. So, what are the strategies job seekers can employ to get a job interview?

Almost four million Australians are being diagnosed with mental illness each year. But, there are still multiple barriers stopping people from multicultural backgrounds from seeking mental health help.

We work, shop, play and interact with family and friends online. But more Australians are falling victim to online scams than ever before. The Australian Governments Stay Smart Online week reminds consumers of how we can stay safe on the net.

Mental illness is the third highest cause of burden of disease in Australia after cancer and cardiovascular disease. Yet, some migrant communities only use mental health services at a very low rate. Limited knowledge about the available services, cultural stigma and language barriers often turn them away from seeking help.

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.

Qualified translators and interpreters can be a big help when youre new to Australia. They can do a range of things from translating official documents to accompany you to a doctor appointment to make sure you understand what's going on, in your language.

Tax time is when Australians complete their tax returns after the end of the financial year on 1 July. Its the time to check if the correct amount of tax has been paid and if any deductions can be claimed. It can also mean money back in your pocket in a tax refund.

You might be surprised that the majority of overdoses in Australia are from prescription medications, not illegal drugs. The misuse of prescribed drugs is a serious health issue.

The law requires all employers to create a safe working environment to minimise injury and illness in the workplace. However Australian Bureau of Statistics show that during 2013 to 2014, over half a million people suffered a work-related injury or illness. Some occupations are more dangerous than others but culturally and linguistically diverse workers are a high risk group.

Housing, financial difficulties and domestic violence are the top three causes of homelessness, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. SBS takes you to an inner-city park in Brisbane to explore what it means to be homeless.

Talking about death makes many of us uncomfortable. But by avoiding the subject, it might just make things worse when the time comes. Talking with your loved ones about your Will, Advance Care Directive and other wishes is important for you and for them.

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.