Unemployment
The number of Full time employed people in Australia rose by 45,123 from 7,655,080 in January 2010 to 7,700,203 in February 2010 in 'Original data' figures. An increase of 0.59%.
The number of Full time employed people in Australia rose by 11,438 from 7,648,303 in January 2010 to 7,659,741 in February 2010 in Seasonally adjusted figures. An increase of 0.15%.
The Australian unemployment rate was at 5.3 per cent in February, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points from the downwardly revised 5.2 per cent observed in January 2010.
The ABS reported the number of people employed in February slightly increased, up 400 people to 10.971 million, seasonally adjusted. The rise in employment was driven by a rise in full-time employment, up 11,400 people to 7.660 million that was offset by a fall in part-time employment, down 11,000 people to 3.311 million.
Interest rates
- 2nd March 2010
The Reserve Bank of Australia increased Interest rates by 0.25%. The new Base rate is now 4.00%.
- 2nd February 2010
The Reserve Bank Board left the cash rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent for February 2010.
Australian Average Wages
Trend Estimates reported from the ABS (before the addition of the 9% Super)
November 2009
- Full-time adult total earnings $1,270.60 pw ($66,071 pa)
- Male Full Time Total Earnings $1,378.00 pw ($71,656 pa)
- Female Full Time Total Earnings $1,096.00 pw ($56,992 pa)
2008/2009 Migration Statistics
According to figures released by the department of Immigration, the following applied to migrants from the United Kingdom to Australia, during the 2008-09 year.
21,545 Total settler Arrivals
6,160 Total Permanent Departures
Based on that, a total of 28.6% returned at some point in their lives, and the following was also reported.
1,087 left within the first two years
976 stayed for between 3 and 5 years
4,097 had stayed for 5 or more years
Australian National Education Curriculum
The draft K-10 Australian Curriculum in English, mathematics, science and history is now being finalised for uploading to the Australian Curriculum Consultation Portal.
Australian Unemployment Rates
January 2010
For the third consecutive month, the ABS reported that the number of people unemployed had decreased, down 22,300 persons to 612,000 in January.
The Australian Trend unemployment rate decreased in January 2010 to 5.4%
The Australian Seasonally Adjusted unemployment rate decreased in January 2010 to 5.3%
The number of people employed in January 2010 increased by 52,700 to 10.966 million, seasonally adjusted, the ABS reported. This is the largest rise in employment since December 2006
The unemployment rate for males looking for full time work has changed over the last 3 months as follows:
- 5.04% Jan-2010
- 5.41% Dec-2009
- 5.59% Nov-2009
The highest and lowest rates, for Full Time Males, during the last 3 years have been:
- 6.02% Jul-2009
- 3.22% Feb-2008
Qld childcare website to name and shame
9th February 2010
A new website to name and shame Queensland childcare centres in breach of standards has gone live.
The website would provide detailed information about childcare services that had seriously or repeatedly contravened government standards, Premier Anna Bligh told parliament
English speaking migrants will jump the immigration queue.
February 08, 2010
SMARTER, English-speaking migrants who want to work in Australia will jump the queue under a major immigration shake-up to be announced today.
Immigration Rule Changes February 2010
On 8 February 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced changes to the General Skilled Migration program.
These changes can be seen at:
The main area of changes are:
- a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
- the replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010
- offshore GSM visas made before 1 September 2007 would be capped and ceased
- priority processing arrangements
- skills assessment requirements for GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation.
Family Tax Benefits stopped for non lodgement of Tax Returns
From January 2010, people who have not lodged tax returns may have their Family Tax Benefits stopped automatically.
ABC 24-hour news channel
The ABC has announced it will begin broadcasting Australia's first free to air television 24 hour news channel later in 2010.
The channel will increase its in depth coverage of local, national and international affairs
Changes to the Building Trade Licence Legislation - QUEENSLAND
1st December 2009,
From 1 December 2009, there will be a change to building licensing regulations in Queensland. Most work valued at $3,300 or less is now exempt from BSA’s licensing requirements. The previous threshold was $1,100.
BookDepository now have their books in Australian Dollars
With FREE fast Delivery including to Australia
Online Saver bank Accounts
ANZ Online Saver paying 5% interest until 30th May 2010
Smoking in Cars banned in Queensland
From the 1st January 2010 smoking will be banned in Queensland, in cars carrying children under the age of 16. Fines of $200 will apply.
HSBC Credit card in Australia
$0 annual fee for the life of the card^
$50 cashback when you spend $500 or more for each of the first 3 months of your HSBC Credit Card
CPI - Consumer Price Index
The ABS reports that CPI for the September Quarter 2009 rose by 1.0%
This compares to a rise for the previous quarter (June 2009) of 0.5%.
This will almost guarantee another 0.25% rise in Interest rates in November, with maybe even a 0.5% rise.
New Television Stations
Digital channel 7TWO will launch on November 1st, 2009
Digital channel ABC3 will launch on December 4th, 2009
Unemployment Rates September 2009
8th October 2009
The Australian Trend unemployment rate remained steady in September 2009 at 5.8%
The Australian Seasonally Adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 5.8% to 5.7%
Example Internet Plans in Australia
20th Sept 2009
Plan Details
Type of conection: ADSL2+/Residential
Monthly Price: $49.99
Speed: 24000/1000 kbps
Download Limit (Total): 80GB
Download Limit (Peak): 40GB
Download Limit (Off-peak): 40GB
2009 Australian Education Report
The 2009 NAPLAN Education report can be seen in PDF File at:
Queensland, with the average age of children tested being up to 9 months younger than other States, again came near the bottom, but beating WA and NT
More information at: .../australian-education-naplan-2009-results
Australian Capital City Residential Property Values July 2009
3rd September 2009
Median property values for each City in July 2009 are shown as:
$537,396 Sydney
$481,493 Perth
$477,627 Canberra
$466,903 Darwin
$454,524 Melbourne
$437,175 Brisbane
$402,681 Adelaide
The Median HOUSE prices from the above report show:
$594,704 Sydney
$514,417 Darwin
$506,898 Canberra
$487,822 Perth
$482,299 Melbourne
$459,571 Brisbane
$418,555 Adelaide
Permanent Arrivals into Australia
1st Sept 2009
According to ABS figures released today, the following show the numbers of New Permanent Arrivals into Australia during the last three financial years (July to June)
2006/07 140,100
2007/08 149,400
2008/09 158,000
The following are the numbers of Permanent Departures
2006/07 72,100
2007/08 76,900
2008/09 81,000
Other reports show that the main counties of immigration into Australia for 2008-2009 were:
47,000 New Zealand
30,590 UK
25,042 India
21,831 China
13,500 Refugees and Asylum Seekers
British Pensions in Australia
The European Court of Human Rights has accepted a request for an appeal into the question of indexing pensions in those countries not currently indexed.
This will be heard before the Grand Chamber of 17 Judges on September 2nd, 2009.
British Australian Pensioner Association
Australian Crime Statistics
Mercer’s Worldwide Quality of Living Survey
Free Phone Calls
Free phone calls to the UK ? and Free Phone calls all over Australia ?
and Free Phone calls to Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, and USA ?
and more...
Need a Visa for Australia ?
Not sure which visa to apply for ?
The Australian Government immigration website now has the FIND A VISA WIZARD at:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/
Answer the questions and the wizard will point you in the right direction...
More Visa Information on our site at: Australian Visa's
Note:
Immigrant = for most part an immigrant will commit themselves to becoming a part of their country of residence.
Expat = usually only temporarily placed in the host country & most of the time plan on returning to their home country.
