Australia’s tradie shortage sparks push for international apprentices Builders are urging the government to allow international students to enter construction apprenticeships, as Australia faces a shortage of skilled tradespeople threatening its ambitious housing targets. Industry groups say the country needs an additional 83,000 skilled workers to help build 1.2 million homes over the next five years.

Is Australia heading for a property market crash? House prices are falling, mortgage demand is weakening and activity across major markets is slowing. With affordability already stretched and interest rates putting pressure on borrowers, concerns about a deeper correction are growing. But is this the beginning of a major crash or simply a housing market reset? Read the full story to understand what’s driving the downturn and what it could mean for homeowners, buyers, investors and the wider Australian economy.

Australia is taking a major step towards deciding how artificial intelligence should shape its future. South Australia has announced a landmark royal commission into AI, examining both the opportunities and risks of a technology already transforming workplaces, education, healthcare and government. The inquiry is expected to begin in October and report by July 2027. The big question: How can Australia embrace AI without leaving people, jobs and communities behind?

Victoria’s health watchdog has warned the public about a Melbourne woman accused of posing as a doctor and providing unapproved treatments. The regulator has banned her from providing health services in Victoria while police charges against her remain before the courts.

Eight teenagers have been charged with murder following the death of a 21-year-old man after a house party in Bahrs Scrub, Queensland. Police allege the group arrived with a plan to cause harm. Community leaders are calling for calm as the investigation and court proceedings continue.

Queensland’s child safety system is under fresh pressure, with workers warning that a proposed change to workload reporting could make it harder to track frontline caseloads. The union says more than 100 child safety positions remain vacant, while almost 3,000 children were in residential care in March.

A country café can be much more than coffee. Across Australia, local cafés have become meeting places, employers, community hubs and keepers of local history, from historic Greek-Australian cafés to volunteer-run businesses keeping small towns connected. But rising costs and staff shortages are putting many of these community institutions under pressure.

Australia’s housing crisis is deepening. The national public housing waitlist has reached 189,536 households, the highest level since 2014, while almost 289,000 people accessed homelessness services in 2024–25. With rising rents and years-long waits for public housing, advocates are calling for urgent investment in social housing.

Australia’s legal tobacco market is shrinking, but the black market is booming. New estimates suggest 80% of nicotine consumed in Australia comes from illicit sources, raising concerns over organised crime, lost tax revenue and the effectiveness of tobacco policy.

Australia’s housing market is facing a major turning point. Higher interest rates are putting pressure on property prices, but the bigger picture is far more complicated. Migration, housing supply, construction costs, government policy and even the growing demand created by AI are all influencing the economy. So, are falling house prices the beginning of a major correction or simply a temporary adjustment?