The Latest Breaking News from ABS

COVID-19 travel restrictions brought migration to Australia to a virtual standstill, and over the course of the pandemic about 500,000 temporary migrants have left our shores. Now many Australian businesses are screaming out for more workers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says retail trade rose 1.6 per cent in March to a record $33.6 billion, coming before rising interest rates take their toll.

This week’s Newspoll, conducted April 27-30 from a sample of 1,538, gave Labor a 53-47 lead, unchanged since last week. Primary votes were 38% Labor (up one), 36% Coalition (steady), 11% Greens (steady), 5% One Nation (up two), 4% UAP (steady) and 6% for all Others (down three).

Labor says its childcare policy will ease costs for almost 30,000 Hunter families after inflation figures this week showed a 4.2 per cent annual price rise in the sector.

Annual CPI rate rise to 5.1% was higher than expectations and reflects higher fuel and food costs, sparking fears of an interest rate rise

Shadow Defence Minister Brendan O'Connor says the Howard and Rudd-Gillard governments both spend 1.7 to 1.8 per cent of GDP on defence. RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

Australia’s economy added more than 20,000 new jobs in March, as experts warn of workforce shortage

Anthony Albanese fluffed jobless and cash rate questions but other figures indicate where the country is heading

Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese have responded to the Coalition's pre-election budget with a string of attacks on the government's record. How do they stack up?

After two years of cancellations and billions of dollars lost, we take stock of the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on Australia’s performing arts and the challenges ahead.

Something extraordinary has been happening for Australians seeking jobs in the past few months.