An industry poll has been launched by Momentum Intelligence to understand the key issues impacting the financial services industry leading up to the 2022 federal election. The anonymous survey is open to all financial services professionals, including advisers, financial planners, mortgage brokers, fund managers and lenders, the results of which will be aggregated and reported...

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report, Financial Services Legislation: Interim Report A, was submitted to Parliament earlier this week. The report contains recommendations, proposals, and questions in relation to the reform of corporations and financial services legislation. The ALRC is seeking written submissions from stakeholders relating to the proposals and questions outlined in the...

The government has invited the public to submit their insights into regional bank closures to the recently established Regional Banking Taskforce over the coming weeks. The taskforce is aiming to understand the impacts of branch closures and how customers are accessing banking services, as well as to help improve services and accessibility where branches have...

The State Government has unveiled their Reconnect WA package to safely re-engage with the world once Western Australia transitions its border controls. The package includes a targeted marketing campaign to promote WA as safe and full of opportunity for tourists, skilled workers and international students. Incentives will also be offered to tourists, international students and...

The federal government has announced that approximately 20,000 skilled visa holders who stayed in Australia during the pandemic will now be eligible for permanent residency. This is one of many visa changes that will affect more than 200,000 migrants announced by the government to help ease skills shortages in Australia. Read more.  

The government has announced new targeted measures to the Australia post-study work visa that will provide international students with some flexibility upon returning to Australia. – Temporary graduates with expired visas can apply for replacement visas to re-enter Australia – Government to increase the length of stay for 485 visa holders from two to three...

The Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 outlines the government’s path to growth for Australia’s international education sector focusing on diversification, aligning with Australia’s workforce and skills needs, placing students at the centre and growth and global competitiveness. Media statement.

A new national campaign, which will run online and on television, is aimed at getting all Australians, regardless of age or employment status, to consider upskilling through low-fee or fee-free courses through the government backed JobTrainer program. Media statement.

A new report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) titled Issues in apprenticeships and traineeships – a research synthesis identifies five enduring issues in the national apprenticeship and traineeship system. The full report can be found online.

Construction is underway on the new Albany State Emergency Service (SES) headquarters. The facility will also serve as a Level 3 Incident Control Centre to manage large-scale emergencies in the region. Media statement.