The skills shortage is pushing up salaries and benefits as employers fight to attract staff, according to the latest report by the Australian Treasury.
AUSTRALIA is the third most desirable country in which to live, behind Iceland and Norway, according to a United Nations index that examines wealth, life expectancy and literacy.
Respected American economist Richard Florida has said that Australia should look to creative industries in order to become a regional economic powerhouse.
Reform of Australias migration laws to recognise same-sex relationships in the same way as heterosexual couples are recognised has been a long struggle and is not complete yet.
A global salary survey has placed Australia in the top 10 of the world's highest-paying countries for IT managers, but some within the industry are not convinced.
Australia is welcoming record levels of immigration, with numbers expected to top 160,000 people for the 2007-08 year under the official Australian immigration programme.
Australian companies that want to sponsor skilled workers from abroad must now do so through labour agreement arrangements under new regulations that took effect on October 1st.