Australia Explained - podcast cover

Australia Explained

Everything you need to know when settling into life in Australia. Hear helpful information about health, housing, jobs, visas and citizenship, Australian laws and more.
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Episodes

Property market during COVID-19

Retiree plans for housing and accommodation have shifted with the pandemic’s social restrictions and resulting changes in the property market. How will the property market look for retirees and others throughout – and after – the pandemic?

Oct 08, 20207 min

Will payday loans and the pandemic bring on a 'debt tsunami'?

Australia’s first recession in 29 years has financial counsellors busy taking calls from people who have never faced debt problems, and there are concerns debt amid the pandemic may provoke serious mental health concerns.

Oct 08, 202013 min

Dementia care in COVID-19

Caring for a loved one with dementia is challenging at the best of times, but experts say families are struggling more than ever to provide support for their loved ones amid the pandemic.

Sep 23, 20209 min

Money advice and survival tips for turbulent times

Many temporary migrants have endured hardship during COVID-19, as found in a recent survey conducted by Unions New South Wales. With 87 per cent of respondents reporting that they had difficulty paying their weekly expenses and 43 per cent skipping meals on a regular basis, we explore some survival tips you may find useful during these turbulent times.

Sep 09, 20209 min

Early access to superannuation during COVID-19

The economic damage inflicted by COVID-19 restrictions has seen over three million Australians dip into their superannuation savings. Whether you need that extra boost in cash or not, financial experts say it is nonetheless a good time to review the state of your superannuation account.

Sep 09, 202011 min

Aged care in the time of coronavirus - what should you consider?

Victoria’s embattled aged care sector is grappling with widespread infections resulting in over 100 deaths amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are lessons for desperate families when considering residential aged care for your loved ones during these trying times.

Aug 26, 202010 min

Temporary migrants face extra barriers job-seeking during COVID-19

The pandemic’s economic fallout has the Reserve Bank of Australia predicting the unemployment rate is likely to rise to 10 per cent by the end of the year, affecting not just local workers, but many temporary migrants whose job hunting efforts have become more challenging than ever.

Aug 21, 20209 min

Buying a business during COVID-19

The pandemic has sent shockwaves through businesses that usually thrive in normal times. But the disruptive nature of viral outbreaks has left some distressed owners eager to offload their burden. Is now a good time to buy a business? According to some, with the right strategies and plans in place, you may be in for a bargain.

Aug 21, 20208 min

Men’s mental health and wellbeing

Men are often taught to stay strong no matter what adversity they face in life. But dreams of resettlement in Australia can sometimes crumble when emotions get out of control and family relationships fall apart. Experts say sharing your feelings isn’t a weakness but a sign of strength.

Aug 14, 202010 min

How to garden and grow your own food indoors

The calming qualities of greenery may improve and nourish our general physical and mental wellbeing. Many are turning to indoor plants, even growing their own food, to find stability amid social restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic.

Jul 31, 20208 min

Here’s how migration agents work in Australia

Desperate visa applicants are turning to migration agents as their hope for a new life in Australia. But according to some registered migration agents, not all agents can be trusted.

Jul 24, 202011 min

How to use telehealth?

Australians are becoming increasingly reliant on telehealth during the coronavirus pandemic. Statistics from Services Australia show that the total number of telehealth consultations rose from 1.3 million in March to 5.8 million in April. You can make the most of your telehealth session with some simple preparation.

Jul 15, 202011 min

Love and partner visas in the time of COVID-19

Travel restrictions and social distancing measures of COVID-19 are further delaying processing times for partner visa applicants within and outside Australia. According to the Migration Institute of Australia, just under half of partner visas lodged in the last financial year were granted.

Jul 09, 202010 min

Consumer rights and internet scams

COVID-19 has made us more digitally connected than ever. Whether you are a new user or a seasoned netizen, the internet can be a dangerous place if you don’t know how to recognise the warning signs of a scam.

Jul 02, 202010 min

What to do when your visa is cancelled

If your visa is set to be cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic, not seeking prompt legal advice could jeopardise your chances of lawfully staying in Australia.

Jun 25, 20208 min

Retraining yourself during COVID-19

Australia’s coronavirus curve has flattened but with some restrictions still in place, many are still homebound. Without the freedom to engage in activities we once enjoyed, why not make the most of the current situation by learning a new professional skill or revisiting a lost passion?

Jun 18, 20207 min

Life on the bridging visa

COVID-19 is dramatically disrupting on the lives of close to 97,000 bridging visa holders in Australia who are unable to access the federal government’s COVID-19 support schemes.

Jun 11, 20209 min

Online Grandparenting

Grandparents traditionally play a significant role in the Australian family life, but with the government advising older people to stay home, social isolation is changing the way many now approach grandparenting.

May 28, 202011 min

Women on temporary visas experiencing family violence

Advocates for action on family violence are concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a desperate time for women experiencing family violence who are dependents of temporary visa holders, with their ordeal compounded by barriers in accessing social services due to their visa status.

May 28, 202010 min

Staying active and healthy during social isolation

Australia’s seniors are staying home more than ever due to COVID-19. You may not be able to move about as much, but keeping active is essential to maintaining your immunity and finding a sense of calm amid uncertainty.

May 27, 202010 min

Helping with your child’s home-based learning

While the prime minister wants all schools to resume by June, many parents are keeping their children at home out of concern for their safety. Luckily for those parents, resources and help for home-based learning are available if needed.

May 15, 202010 min

Living with an underlying condition

If you are over 60 and living with a chronic condition, you may be worried about your regular medical visits during COVID-19 but with Australia’s infection rates controlled better than in many parts of the world, experts say you shouldn’t worry about receiving physical treatment at healthcare facilities.

May 15, 202012 min

The healing powers of chicken soup

Nothing can fight cold or flu so well as home-made chicken soup. Research shows that this humble dish may really help with recovery or at least bring some relief.

Apr 24, 20207 min

Binge eating: the dark side of comfort food

We all like to indulge in different kinds of food. Sometimes, however, a pleasure becomes a problem. Binge eating and other eating disorders affect people across cultures, but there is a way out of this cycle.

Apr 24, 20207 min

Coping with the coronavirus outbreak

You may have just touched down from an overseas trip or come into contact with someone infected with coronavirus. Now you need to go into quarantine for 14 days with additional restrictions to an already upended lifestyle. What can you do to keep yourself and others safe as you enter a fortnight of further self-isolation?

Apr 24, 202010 min

Your rights and obligations when working from home

Many Australians, along with workers from 88% of organisations around the globe, have had to adjust to the sudden change of working from home. Experts say it is in both the employer and employee’s vested interest to maintain a safe work environment.

Apr 15, 20208 min

Preparing for the flu season amid COVID-19

Winter is coming. Medical professionals are bracing for the worst-case scenario of a potentially overloaded public health system by patients infected by both influenza and coronavirus.

Apr 02, 20209 min
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