Archived News for Human Resource Professionals - August, 2012
The South Australian Government has announced the appointment of Anne Gale as the state’s next Commissioner for Equal Opportunity.
Acting Attorney-General Patrick Conlon welcomed Ms Gale’s appointment, saying her wealth of experience in work with the disadvantaged will stand her in good stead.
“Ms Gale’s leadership skills - gained through significant experience in senior and executive roles - willserve her well in her new role,” Mr Conlon said.
Engineers in top demand finds report
The Western Australian Government has released the latest State Priority Occupation List, showing that engineers, nurses and childcare workers are among the most sought-after employees.
Queensland opens scholarships for women in male dominated industries
The Queensland Government has opened the first round of the new Supporting Women Scholarships, aimed at assisting women to enter traditionally male dominated industries.
ABS figures show healthy wage growth
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have found a 3.7 per cent increase in the average wage of Australian workers.
ANU documents drought's devastating impacts
New research conducted by the Australian National University (ANU) has found that drought significantly increases the risk of suicide among rural males aged 30-49 years.
Cut emissions to save billions says report
Move to mitigate to reduce carbon emissions can significantly improve the health of the country’s population and could save billions of dollars and thousands of lives each year, a new report has found.
Government to cut skill red tape
The Federal Government has proposed a streamlined, nationally consistent licensing scheme for plumbing and gas fitting, property refrigeration and air-conditioning occupational licensing with an aim to boost labour mobility, productivity and save an estimated $86 million.
Government to promote women in leadership
Despite the breakdown of traditional barriers in the workplace, many women are increasingly encountering structural barriers that prevent them from entering management positions, a Women in Leadership Forum has heard.
FINSIA report find pay equity issues rife
The Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA) has published new biannual gender research, which finds pay equity and transparency continues to plague the industry.
Skilled migrants in low paid jobs risk depression
A study conducted by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has found that skilled migrants to Australia who are unable to find jobs that utilize their education and qualifications are substantially more likely to suffer from mental health issues after three and a half years.
WA predicts healthcare jobs boom
Forecasts for jobs growth released by the Western Australian Government predict a boom in health and social care sectors that ‘resemble those in the State’s resources sector.’
Skilled migrants crucial to resource industry
Temporary migrant workers play an essential role in Australia’s resource industry by filling highly-skilled positions that cannot be met by local supply, the preliminarily findings of a pilot study by Edith Cowan University (ECU) have shown.
Overall we're pretty inclusive finds report
The Australian Social Inclusion Board has published the second edition of its How Australia is faring report, finding that the country is making solid progress in a number of key social inclusion indices.
Unemployment falls to 5.2 per cent
Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 5.2 per cent in July, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Oil and gas job ads booming
Online job postings of oil and gas positions have recorded an unprecedented 11.98 per cent booming in the last year and a half according to an index published by recruitment specialist Hays.
Workplace bullying inquiry hits the road again
The Education and Employment Committee has announced it will be taking its workplace bullying inquiry onto the road once more, visiting Adelaide and Perth on August 7 and 8 respectively.
Construction industry suicide prevention program to go national
Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler has announced $5.24 million for a new suicide prevention initiative to be rolled out on construction sites across Australia.
NCVER publishes attrition rates
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research has published new data that reveals that attrition rates are declining for trainees, while remaining stable for apprentices.
Ageing population prompts call for super preservation debate
With the majority of Australians expected to outlive their superannuation savings, the Financial Services Council (FSC) has opened the debate on increasing the preservation age for superannuation.
Fair Work Act review finds the law working well
The report of the independent review of the Fair Work Act - Towards more productive and equitable workplaces: An evaluation of the Fair Work Act has been released.