Australia News
Australia, as it happens
From visa policy changes to university news and the cost of living: updates that matter to anyone planning study or migration, reported directly from our local offices.
25 Aug 2026
August Ocean Temperatures Reach Record High, El Niño and Climate Change Cited as Causes
Global ocean temperatures reached a record high of 21.1°C in August. Europe's Copernicus Climate Service attributed this to the natural El Niño phenomenon and long-term warming from fossil fuel use. Ocean temperatures are expected to continue rising until El Niño peaks between November and January.
25 Aug 2026
South Australia August Rainfall Records Broken, Communications Outage and Water Rescue Occur
Heavy rain across South Australia broke daily August rainfall records in multiple areas. A communications outage occurred in the Yorktown area, and the State Emergency Service responded to over 90 callouts.
23 Aug 2026
One Nation Immigration Policy Confusion: Party Leader Corrects MP's Statement
One Nation MP David Farley stated the party's net migration target was "not too different" from Labor's, prompting party leader Pauline Hanson to issue an urgent clarification. While One Nation officially proposes a 130,000 annual immigration target, inconsistent messaging has emerged within the party regarding the inclusion of seasonal and skilled workers.
18 Aug 2026
Australian Education Minister Defends Reform Direction Against Criticism of International Student Policy
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare rejected Senator Pauline Hanson's claim that the international student industry is a "farce," defending the government's international education reform policies including tripling student visa fees and limiting international student ratios at universities.
13 Aug 2026
Australian Housing Price Decline Scenarios by Major City
Property data firm Corelogic analyzed four decline scenarios ranging from 5% to 20%, finding that Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide have substantial buffer capacity, while Melbourne would revert to pre-pandemic levels if prices fall more than 10%.
11 Aug 2026
US Department of Defense Invests $566 Million in NSW Regional Town Scandium Mine
The US Department of Defense is providing $566 million in conditional loans for scandium mine development in Fifield, near Parkes in NSW. Scandium is a critical mineral used in next-generation fighter jets and AI data center power supply, and the US is securing alternative supply chains as China has imposed export restrictions.
10 Aug 2026
Australia 2026 Census Completion Requirements and Non-Submission Penalties
A census conducted every five years across Australia takes place on Tuesday night, August 11. Participation is a legal obligation, and all residents are subject to it, including non-citizens and visa holders. Failure to submit may result in penalties of up to $364 per day.
10 Aug 2026
Australian Student Housing: Foundation for Academic Success, Not Just a Place to Sleep
The CEO of Australian accommodation provider 2Stay emphasized that student housing choices impact the overall academic experience, highlighting the importance of selecting accommodation types that match individual student circumstances and needs.
