Australian Antarctic Division · Original source
Interior fit-out is beginning at the Australian Antarctic Division's Dr Isobel Bennett Southern Ocean Research Aquarium in Taroona near Hobart, a krill research facility co-located with the University of Tasmania's IMAS site. It will hold five times the volume of the current facility, supply -1.5°C seawater to research rooms and include a -30°C sea ice research freezer. Seawater-cooled chillers cut energy use by about 40 per cent, and fit-out is expected to take a year.
NSW Minister for Finance · Original source
The NSW Government has welcomed the High Court of Australia's ruling on Uber Australia's payment of payroll tax, saying it confirms the NSW Chief Commissioner of State Revenue's interpretation of the law. The government said it will carefully consider the full judgment. It noted that only around 5 per cent of NSW businesses pay payroll tax, mostly large businesses, and that the tax helps fund essential services.
Ryan Park, Minister for Health · Original source
A new NSW regulation taking effect on Thursday 5 November will let up to 250 more pharmacists have their qualifications recognised to treat a wider range of common conditions. It covers graduates with appropriate qualifications from the University of Newcastle or the University of Technology Sydney, aligning them with James Cook University graduate certificate holders. Conditions include oral contraception initiation, acute nausea and vomiting, rhinitis and reflux, with the aim of easing pressure on GP appointments.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Original source
New Australian Bureau of Statistics questions in the quarterly Job Vacancies Survey found about 82 per cent of businesses said AI did not affect their job vacancies in August 2026. Four per cent reported AI reduced vacancies and under one per cent reported an increase. Information media and telecommunications had the highest share reporting decreases at 16 per cent. About two thirds of businesses expect no AI impact on vacancies over the next 12 months.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Original source
Australian household spending rose 0.6 per cent in September 2026 in seasonally adjusted terms, after a 0.1 per cent fall in August, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Transport and Health each rose 1.5 per cent and Recreation and culture 0.8 per cent. Fuel spending jumped 5.4 per cent on higher global oil prices and the end of fuel excise relief on 3 August, while spending volumes grew for a fourth straight quarter.
CSIRO · Original source
A new CSIRO report, The future of Australian battery manufacturing: Cell cans and current collector foils, finds Australia has the skills and materials to make key lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery components. It identifies two first steps: making prismatic cell cans from Australian aluminium by impact extrusion, and producing copper current collector foil by electrolytic deposition. CSIRO's Dr Adam Best said onshoring more of the value chain could support skilled manufacturing jobs.
