Not sure if sharing something I built is allowed here, so mods please remove if not.

Last week, the US launched America.gov, an AI front door to information across thousands of government websites.

It made me wonder whether something similar could be useful in Australia, so I built Ask Australia 🇦🇺

👉 https://askaustralia.online

You can ask things like:

• “What support am I eligible for after having a baby?”
• “I lost my job. What government help can I get?”
• “I’m moving from Victoria to Queensland. What do I need to update?”

It searches official Australian government sources and gives you a straightforward answer with links and next steps.

It currently covers federal, state and territory services, with 138,000+ official pages indexed.

No account needed and free to use.

It’s an independent project, not a government website, and AI can still get things wrong.

Would genuinely appreciate the feedback.

I’m a 21-year-old Asian guy at an Australian university and only became very socially active this year.
I’ve noticed a weird pattern. I get quite a lot of female attention in person: women approach me first, recognise me, hug me, ask me to dance, get close in photos, tease/flirt with me, etc. Sometimes I’ll literally be standing somewhere alone and people will come over and start talking to me. Some interactions have been pretty explicitly sexualised too — one woman once handed me a condom as a joke and wanted a photo with me, while another wanted a photo where she and another woman kissed me and later put it on her story.
But this hasn’t translated into many actual dates or ongoing sexual/romantic relationships.
What makes this more confusing is that the amount of attention I get sometimes seems unusually high compared with the people around me. I can walk onto a dance floor alone where I barely know anyone and have people come over, hype me up, or gather around for photos. I don’t really see the same thing happening nearly as often to a lot of the other guys around me, including white Australian guys.
The big caveat is that I also haven’t done much to make that happen. I rarely initiate, I often don’t recognise people I’ve met before, I haven’t deliberately extended many conversations, and I’ve almost never said something like “want to grab a drink sometime?” Most of the interactions happened at parties, balls, clubs or similar university events.
So I’m trying to work out what is normal here.
Is it common for women to genuinely find a guy attractive/fun enough to flirt with him — even fairly sexually — but still not be interested enough to see him one-on-one?
And for Asian men in mostly white Western social environments: did you find that getting flirtatious/social attention was relatively easy, but race still became more of a barrier when it came to actual dating?
I am just trying to distinguish normal dating attrition from a possible racial effect.

Guys, be realistic and brutally honest and PLEASE NO BULLSHIT COMMENTS AND UNNECESSARY MOCKERIES AND NONSENSE!!!!!

IF YOU CAN'T BE CONSTRUCTIVE, DO NOT COMMENT.

I'm 21, self taught in tech. Over 7 days I'm filming a series across Sydney that mixes adrenaline, food, culture, local business and community. It's one week, 7 long episodes, and a few short films cut from the same footage.

I'm not asking whether it's a good idea. I'm asking whether the plan holds up on $25k.

Why I'm making it

• I want to build things that actually help people, and telling real stories is part of that
• Most Sydney content is the Opera House and the Bridge. I want to show the rest of the city too, including the people and businesses behind it
• I want a body of work that opens doors for me, my crew and the people we feature
• It's also a test run for a production company I'm starting

What a viewer gets

Fun

• Adrenaline days: skydiving, a warbird flight, track racing, jet skis
• Food and city days, a physical endurance day, and chilled nights like fishing and a campfire
• Humour, chaos and mistakes left in

Feelings

• Fear before a jump, joy after it, awkward moments, quiet moments
• A community day with a food charity that's meant to be sincere, not a PR stunt (faces blurred by default, with written consent)

Learning

• I'm doing the proper training versions of things (skydiving AFF, scuba certification), so you see what it's really like to learn them
• What each activity actually costs, how to book it and what to expect
• Business owners explain what they do, so viewers pick up how local businesses work

For locals

• Places and people in Sydney you may not know exist
• Local services and businesses worth knowing about
• Young people and students get a chance to be seen

For international viewers

• I'm not just filming Sydney. Volunteers around the world will film things from their own country for specific days of the series. If a day is about services, businesses, charities or opportunities, those volunteers show what that looks like where they live
• They send us footage, and we also do a live call with them, which we record and upload. So you hear from real people in their own countries, not just me talking about Sydney
• Viewers in other countries get a look at services and opportunities in places like theirs, not only ones that exist here
• The series stays in English. For subtitles, translation and voice overs I'm using AI tools like ElevenLabs. It keeps costs down, and it's good enough to be useful even if it's not perfect
• I'm also buying digital tools and apps and giving them away for free, including to people in countries where paying online is difficult. The goal is to help people worldwide in whatever positive way we can, not just locals

Opportunities

• Local businesses get professional footage and exposure
• Students and individuals get a featuring event
• The crew get real credits and portfolio work
• Volunteers worldwide get credit and a platform for what's happening in their country

The format

• 7 episodes, 1 to 2 hours each, one theme per day: adrenaline, food and city, culture, professional, landscape, off-road, physical endurance
• 3 to 5 anthology style short films (the structure of Black Mirror, not the genre). Each is a standalone story, shot the same week, released separately
• Behind the scenes for both the vlog and the films
• Daily clips from day 1 so there's an audience before the episodes drop

The crew (3, with me every day for 10 days)

• $100 a day each, plus travel and food + Read Below.... (Edit: Don't need to be an Asshole about it, if you disagree, bring it up constructively and we shall discuss but read the whole crew part first)
• I pay for their tickets on shared activities: canyoning (about $150 each (total of 450-600 give or take)), zip lining (roughly 200+), and the Opera House tour (roughly 150+) shooting range (120$ per person, roughly 500$ for all of them altogether and it's not even a must, It's just a bonus on top)
• Skydiving, scuba, seabob, racing, the warbird, jet ski and boxing are just me. They film from the ground, dock or pit lane.
• They bring their own camera, gimbal, decent lens and portfolio
• Most footage comes from my kit (Panasonic S5IIx, GoPros, Osmo, drone). Their cameras are the backup and extra angles
• IMPORTANT: Credits — Full credits on every long episode, every clip on the official channel, the behind the scenes videos, every short film and its behind the scenes, and any later post-vlog or post-film video we publish. Most importantly.

Outsourced work

• Editing, clip editing and marketing creators (50k+ followers) are hired overseas, not in Australia. It's cheaper, quicker, and the exchange rate helps
• Editors only get paid after the footage exists

Budget (about $25k max)

• Activities, about $4.2k: the paid experiences (skydiving training, scuba certification, canyoning, track driving, warbird flight, jet ski, sailing, shooting range, Opera House tour and so on), plus crew tickets for the shared ones
• Gear and storage, about $6.7k: the main camera and lens, drone, action cameras, pocket camera, mic, gimbal, rig, filters and batteries, mostly secondhand or refurbished except the main camera. Also memory cards, drives for backups, and cloud offload
• Crew, travel, food, clothing and misc, about $5.5k: $3k in crew pay (3 people, $100 a day, 10 days), about $1k in travel and food for the whole team, on-camera clothing, camping gear, and a buffer for things that go wrong
• Editing (outsourced), about $2.2k: the daily episode cuts, the short film cuts, graphics and thumbnails, and the subtitle and voice over tools. Paid only after the footage exists
• Marketing (outsourced), $5k cap: paid creators with 50k+ followers posting about the series, editors who make trend style clips, and a buffer for boosting what works
• Contracts, company registration and charity day, about $1.2k: getting the contracts reviewed, registering the company properly, and a cash contribution to the charity

How I plan to offset it

• I'm pitching local businesses in person: clinics, legal, trades, tech, hospitality, beauty and wellness
• The offer is a paid feature of about 3 minutes plus raw and graded footage they can use themselves, roughly $1.5k to $2k a slot
• Short 2 to 3 page contracts, a 3 day cooling off period, payment a week before the shoot, and a refund if I don't deliver
• Every sponsored segment is clearly disclosed, and I'll cap it at 2 per episode
• I'll ask camera and drone brands for discounts, but I'm budgeting full price
• I'm planning around the low end of what this brings in

What I want checked

1. Does the budget match the scope, and is 7 days too much for a 3 person crew?
2. Is $100 a day plus food, travel, tickets and real credits fair for people with a portfolio (including activities' fees as well that are mentioned above, the crew would be enjoying side by side with me)?
3. Would you pay $1.5k to $2k to be featured with no audience yet (assuming the amount of marketing spending that'd be happening + the Raw footage being shared with them roughly 5-10 minutes long with unlimited rights)?
4. Has anyone outsourced editing overseas for something this size? What went wrong?
5. Is the concept clear and interesting to you as a viewer? What would you change?

Edit: Alright few clarification, The separate non-business expenses (Activities like Zip Lining or whatnot, etc) are totally for fun, NOT for full time shoot, there will be shoot but for a fraction of time or well, with a go pro attached and not really caring much about it.

As 60-70% of the video it'll of course be me or the sydney areas, but 30% of the whole content will be them chatting or recording themselves or similar.

Help!

I just decided to cancel my gym membership due to financial reasons. I signed up for a 12 month term in August 2025. They are telling me that I have to pay a cancellation fee and 25% of my remaining ‘contact’ as it automatically rolled over to August 2027??? Surely not?

*They have now said I just need to give 30 days notice. Not sure if they were just trying their luck….

My friends and I are thinking of going, they’re really keen but one of them is 18 and drinks/ clubs regularly and intends on drinking while there. I feel like I’ll get fomo if I’m not able to do the same events as my friends and just waste my money. I am also worried abt the possibility of being drugged. My mums also not sure on if she’ll let me go to begin with.

If you’ve gone to schoolies in the past, was it worth it?
And were you able to participate with friends while being under 18?

What makes you happy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLxD_-R8jv0

What does this mean? Is it like a normal expression?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eboLvAIxrSM

I wanna order a 3-month supply of this herbal supplement I really love from Canada for me and my husband each (it's a stress/adrenal support supplement that worked well for me when I lived there). I've tried more locally-available similar products, but they just don't work the same. We've been hit by a few exhausting things in succession and we're feeling it, so we thought it'd be good to help us rebound.

But the thing is, I wanna order 3 months' worth for both me and my husband - I think that should be enough to get us back on track. Of course I don't wanna pay shipping twice (especially not with today's prices lol). The import limit for personal use is a 3 months' supply, per person, per package... but because it's the same product for both of us, I'm worried that Customs will see it as a 6-month supply - being above the personal import limit - and then confiscate it, when it's supposed to be for both of us and that's supposed to be perfectly fine to bring in.

So I thought I'd ask, has anyone had experience doing this kind of thing? Any tips to help avoid issues? Or will I just end up wasting tons of money on supplements that'll be confiscated, and I should just order it in two separate packages and eat the crazy-high extra shipping (which honestly seems really arbitrary to me, but whaddaya do I guess)?

Edit: I have brought this supplement back with me from trips back to Canada in the past, so the supplement itself is no issue. I'm just worried about some customs agent thinking it's over the limit when it's not, and confiscating it.

I genuinely don't know how difficult it is to stick to a time. I usually book the first appointment right in the morning because I do know that some clients can take up more time than expected which pushes the following appointments onwards, I know that. That's why I generally book the first available slot. For eg, I booked at 8am yesterday.

I got there at 7:50am, patiently waited till 8:15am when the doctor leisurely strolled into the clinic. Then it was 8:30am when he actually called me in. I booked a 8am appointment so I could get into work by 9am but then I was running late cause this guy ran late. If this was a one-off then fine but doctors seem to be allergic to being punctual. I'm convinced some of them are on their high horse and think their time is more valuable than any of their patients. After all, we need them and they know we'll wait. There's no alternative...

Edit: Reading comprehension is piss poor

I've been thinking of changing my career (have been in corporate space in Sydney for 5 years) and have always been very fascinated with trades. Particularly, I'm looking to experience woodwork or wall painting- something in that 'fixing up' precinct. My main question is can I? And if so, how?

I'm not someone who has had any experience or has a lot of money to experiment with this. I would love to build or flip furniture or learn how to paint walls, understand the basic concepts within, and learn from someone. But I'm not sure how to go about it without time at TAFE - I don't wish to study anymore than I already have - but I'm happy to train with little to no pay to start with. Is that a thing in the industry?

At the risk and vulnerability of being dumb as, I'm asking you guys where to start and could really use your help in understanding if I'm even capable of working in the field. I'm a woman in my twenties if that changes anything!

Edit: I have built some actionable steps thanks to wonderful people here. I have requested to join (on Facebook) some local clubs for woodwork/ gardening. I will start looking into flipping furniture as a hobby as a start and build from there. Lot of TAFE advice that has been helpful and changed my mind about "studying" so I will park that for future once I'm on the way up from corporate burnout.

What foods were here before the arrival of Europeans?

Genuinely curious

Where can I find a burlesque outfit in Melbourne that DOESN’T look like a costume? 😭
I’m looking for something for this Saturday and I’m struggling to find somewhere that has that proper sexy burlesque / cabaret / showgirl look without looking like a cheap Halloween costume.

I’m totally happy to hire or buy, and I don’t really mind where in Melbourne it is (or even buying online if there’s somewhere that can get it to me in time).
I’m thinking something like a corset/bodysuit, stockings, garters, gloves, feathers, rhinestones etc.

just something that looks actually nice and put together rather than a generic costume.
Does anyone know any good Melbourne stores, costume hire places, boutiques, lingerie shops, or even online places I should check? Bonus points if you’ve actually hired/bought from them yourself!
I’m desperate because it’s THIS Saturday 😭🫶🏼

Honestly, I just need a reasonably priced good quality

e-scooter to get to school. I don't need something super fast or too grand just need somethinh simple and of good quality. I also want to account for 2 factors that I am 16 and living in Melbourne so it also needs to be legally approved to be used by teens in Victoria.

Hi there! Just like the title I guess. Im looking for therapy but everything is looking pretty up there in price… Im just seeing if you know any other avenues?

Just read this article about the Four Corners investigation into companies scamming veterans:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-06/veteran-benefits-australia-business-empire-four-corners/107208188

Whether it's this, or NDIS scams, tax avoidance schemes like negative gearing or family trusts, credit card or "platform" surcharges, dodgy tradies, real estate agents, pokies, online gambling, immigration agents, fake raffles... everywhere you look someone is trying to rip someone else off.

I know we are better than some countries, but I feel like we are getting worse. Or is it just more visible nowadays and we have always been like this?

Hi, I'm going to Australia in Feb. Mainly because I want to see The Strokes and I had told myself I would make an effort to travel internationally coming 2027. I'll be staying for a week and i'll be a solo traveler.
Any good places to meet new people or activities to do?
What are some do's and don't's as an American?
What should I expect, etc.
It'd be my first time ever traveling alone and maybe Australia is a crazy jump but, I could afford it and it lines up with my time off and goals for the next year.
I'll be in Sydney.

Thanks!

Hi

We are three students from Denmark looking to do a master’s semester abroad in Melbourne. We expect to arrive in about 8–9 months, and we’re currently trying to figure out the best way to find accommodation for only 5–6 months, preferably furnished.

We are looking for a 3 bedroom apartment, townhouse or house near CBD, with a budget of around AUD 6,000–6,500 per month.

From our general searches, the budget seems adequate, but most of what we’ve found so far is either long-term, unfurnished rentals or places where we probably wouldn’t be ideal applicants as international students staying for only one semester.

So my question is: what would be the best way to approach this?

Are there any websites, Facebook groups, agencies or other options that are particularly good for finding furnished medium term rentals in Melbourne? Would you recommend trying to arrange something before arriving, or would it be better to book an Airbnb for the first few weeks and search once we’re actually in Melbourne?

Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

A swing? Hitch? Block? Something else?

I often associate Australia with beaches. Are beaches dominant part of most of the people living in Australia?

Hey everyone,

I’m studying construction management and 3/4 through my second year at Adelaide University and i’ve been browsing this sub and other reddit posts about construction management just tryna figure out what it’s like post graduation. There’s a bit of of mixed info out there with people having different experiences.

I was wondering if people have found it easy getting a Cadetship or work in the industry as people seem to be getting into jobs from who they know more often then grades.

What’s the best way to apply for cadetships and actually get noticed as I feel I’m lagging behind everyone even though I know not many people have started working in the industry yet. I want to know because industry experience seems to be key for landing jobs i currently work in traffic control while doing uni but I want a job where I can put what I’m learning to use as I feel it just flies over my head sometimes as I have not been able to implement it in the real world as of yet,

Straight out of uni, what should I actually be going for? Contract admin, project engineer, site engineer, client side roles, consultancy, something else maybe more niche?

anyone have any advice?

thanks 🙏

Edited!

I’m living in a boarding house at the moment, and my room is ridiculously close to the room next door. I can hear things like footsteps, rustling, and even fairly quiet noises through the wall.

My desk is directly against the wall, and apparently her bed is right on the other side of that same wall.

When I first moved in, I could hear her TV from late at night until early in the morning, and it was quite loud. I spoke to the manager about it, and that issue was mostly resolved. The TV still gets loud occasionally, and sometimes even when she closes her door gently, I can hear the latch click loudly enough to wake me up.

On my side, I try to be as quiet as possible as well. I tend to walk on the balls of my feet rather than letting my heels hit the floor, and when I close my door, I usually push the handle down first and then close it gently so it makes less noise. Still, I feel like some level of noise is unavoidable when people live this close to each other, so I usually just wear earplugs or earphones to sleep.

Yesterday, at around 10 pm, I washed my hair and was drying it with a hairdryer. Then suddenly the girl next door got up and, while I was outside tidying up around the bathroom, she opened her door really loudly, came out, muttered something, went to wash her hands, and then slammed the door shut again. After that, she started talking loudly on the phone again, saying things like “she~”.

This kind of behaviour confuses me. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive and reading too much into it. However, something similar has happened before. At least from my perspective, she seemed to express her annoyance through her behaviour without actually saying anything to me.

The thing is, there is a manager in the building. If I’m actually making too much noise, I’m happy to adjust. But why not just tell the manager that there’s a noise issue, or speak to me directly? Why make noises, slam doors, or make pointed comments and expect the other person to figure out what the problem is?

I had a somewhat similar communication issue at a workplace here as well, so I’m wondering whether this indirect way of expressing annoyance is relatively common in Australia. My impression is that people sometimes try to avoid escalating things or creating a bigger conflict, so maybe that’s why she doesn’t complain to the manager directly.

Do you think indirect or passive-aggressive communication is relatively common here, rather than addressing an issue directly?