National Youth Volunteer Week is here! From 10–16 August, young Australians are being celebrated for the difference they’re already making in their communities. Volunteering is more than giving back — it’s a chance to build skills, connections, confidence and leadership. This week, young people aged 16–25 are also being invited to share their volunteering stories and inspire others to get involved. Lead where you are. Volunteer your way.

Do you know your rights when a family member needs your care? Carer’s leave can cover more situations and more people than many Australian workers realise. From sick children and parents to emergencies involving someone in your household, understanding your entitlements can make a difficult situation easier to navigate. Our latest explainer breaks down who qualifies, how much notice you need to give, what evidence your employer can request, and what options may be available for ongoing caring responsibilities. Read the full story and know your workplace rights.

Your face could soon be enough to trigger a police alert. Australia is testing live AI facial recognition in public spaces, allowing cameras to scan faces and compare them against police watchlists in real time. The technology could help police identify wanted or missing people faster but what happens when AI gets it wrong? And how much surveillance should people accept in places they simply walk through every day? As AI enters policing, the debate is no longer just about what the technology can do, but where we draw the line on what it should do.

Your face could soon be enough to trigger a police alert. Australia is testing live AI facial recognition in public spaces, allowing cameras to scan faces and compare them against police watchlists in real time. The technology could help police identify wanted or missing people faster but what happens when AI gets it wrong? And how much surveillance should people accept in places they simply walk through every day? As AI enters policing, the debate is no longer just about what the technology can do, but where we draw the line on what it should do.

“I’m fine” but what does that really mean? More than one billion people worldwide are living with a mental health disorder, while the WHO estimates that one in six people experience loneliness. For men in particular, emotional struggles can often remain hidden behind silence, anger, withdrawal or the pressure to simply “keep going”. So what happens when we lose the language to explain how we feel? Read the full story.

Australians could be paying more for car insurance without knowing exactly why. ASIC has warned insurers to be more transparent about how premiums are calculated, after finding customers were often not given clear reasons for price increases. Car insurance premiums rose 42% between 2019 and 2024, adding further pressure on household budgets.

AI IS WATCHING YOUR TAX RETURN Australia’s tax office is increasingly using AI and data-matching technology to detect unusual deductions, undeclared income and potential tax fraud. The ATO says more than 100 million pieces of information are already available to help pre-fill tax returns, making it harder for incorrect claims to go unnoticed.

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?