• VISA GRANT TIMES CHANGE - FOR many that are in the processing queue for a skilled visa, a recent announcement by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship will mean a further delay to the date they had expected a visa grant, enabling them to move to Australia. more...

• New health practitioner standards - THE Queensland Government has introduced groundbreaking legislation that will set a nationally consistent set of standards and processes for registering health practitioners across all Australian jurisdictions. more...

• Understanding Aus values vital for new citizens - THE new Australian citizenship tst which assesses prospective citizens on their understanding of Australian civics and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship commenced last month. more...

• Affordable housing plan for WA - WESTERN Australia (WA) Housing and Workers Minister Troy Buswell has released the Social Housing Taskforce report as well as an accompanying future directions blueprint. more...

• Gov't acts to combat scams - CONSUMER fraud is costing the Australian community close to AU$1 billion according to the latest research by the Australian Institute of Technology. more...

• Aus gets global recognition - THE Australian Government's goal to develop Australia as a regional financial services hub has received a major fillip with the release of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Financial Development Report 2009 which ranks Australia second among the world's financial centres, ahead of the US, Singapore and Hong Kong. more...

• Health spending passes AU$100bn - AUSTRALIA'S spending on health goods and services is now in excess of AU$100 billion a year, according to a report released by the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare. more...

• Work begins on SA's new schools - SITES are being cleared to make way for six brand new state schools being built in metropolitan Adelaide through the State Government's Education Works programme. more...

• ACT Gov't initiatives support employment - SIGNS of improvement in the local labour market indicate that ACT Government initiatives and Commonwealth fiscal stimulus measures are supporting jobs in the Territory, ACT Treasurer, Katy Gallagher said. more...

• Vic road toll at record low - A NEW record low monthly road toll for Victoria was set in September. State Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said a combination of wipe off five message, better driver behaviour, strong road policing and road safety cameras making a bigger impact in saving lives. more...

• Coral Coast is exotic paradise - BEACHES, exotic marine life, national reserves and the bluest ocean you'll see anywhere in the world, can all be found in Australia's Coral Coast. more...

• Easy visas and jobs for engineering graduates - MANY people think the working holiday visa is the only easy way of obtaining an Australian working visa, but there is another little-known visa available to engineering graduates that is just as easy and that even provides a pathway to Australian permanent residence. more...

• Wide range of books and maps on Australia as well as magazines and newspapers direct from Australia, see shopping section.