The pandemic is as much a crisis of mental health as of physical health. Research by recruitment firm Adecco found Australians are the most burnt-out workers in the world, with more than half (53%) saying they had suffered from burnout over the past year. Burnout is defined as a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not …
Record High Gas Prices Impact Return-To-Office Strategies
Even after work-from-home COVID restrictions have ended, workers refuse to return to the office due to the rising costs of gas. In a recent study conducted by the Finance Sector Union on WFH, 75% of members showed great concern over the commuting expense if they had to return to work. With the Ukraine-Russia conflict, gas prices have becoming so expensive. …
Amid Australian Accounting Labour Shortage, Skilled Visa Approval Delays Contribute to the Drain of Skilled Accountants
To address labour shortage, the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) or “TSS visa” was introduced. The visa allows Australian employers to sponsor a person from overseas and the sponsorship will be valid for either one to four years. The processing time of the TSS visa is what have been under discussion lately. Over the last two years, the time …
Different Booster Shot Policies in Different Australian States Are Exacerbating Labour Shortage
Early February, Victoria announced that all (including travellers) may be required to show proof of a third vaccine dose to enter some public sites in coming months to protect the country against future waves of infections. Many experts feared that it was too soon to mandate third-jab saying that many parts of the world they haven’t had access even to …
80% of Australian Firms Are Hampered by Labour Shortage
Australian SME companies (and Australian Accounting firms) are continuing to struggle to find sufficient resources as labour shortages continue. Many SME companies are reporting labour shortages have been constraining their ability to operate at full capacity. Global supply chain issues are exacerbating supply constraints and prices are escalating with inflation on the horizon. Staff shortages and wage pressure, as well …
Australian Accounting Firms: The Problem with Increasing Pay To Secure Staff
Pay rise continues to be discussed in a recent article by the AFR. When compared to two years ago, junior accountants are getting paid 28 percent more, while senior accountants are offered a 55 percent pay increase. The upper end of salary ranges has continued to escalate and shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. The same …
Australia’s Never-Ending Definition of “Fully Vaccinated” and Impacts for Australian Accounting Firms
Last Friday, 10 February 2022, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a new guidance relating to COVID-19 vaccination status. Under the new guidance, the definition of your COVID-19 vaccination status is changing from ‘fully vaccinated’ to ‘up to date’. It is said that the former term did not include booster shots so it shall be disregarded from …
Are We Really More Productive Working From Home?
In theory, work from home (WFH) is a win-win situation for everyone. Mostly, WFH save all the time, money and hassles of commuting, allowing staff to focus better and spend more time on the job. Furthermore, when staff feel that they have more autonomy over where and when they work, they tend to feel happier and more productive. Also, since …
Australia Is Losing Talent Abroad, and It’s SMEs Who Are Suffering Most
In the report released mid-December by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it was revealed that the impact of COVID on overseas migration resulted in a net loss of 88,800 people in 2020-21 (comparing to a net gain of 241,300 people during 2018-2019 pre-pandemic). Australia is under the first phase of reopening. In this phase, allowing Australians to enter/leave the country …
Offshore Students Pursuing an Australian Education Qualification Are Being Considered for Work Rights in Australia
Late November, the Australian government released a 10-year strategy for international education with the goal of strengthening the international education sector in Australia in the coming years. Three important points were introduced: Have more diversity amongst the international student population: China and India currently account for 58 percent of overseas students in Australia. Diversification would reduce financial risk while also …
