Australia’s forests are experiencing rapidly rising tree death rates at the same time as a major heatwave drives extreme fire danger across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, raising grave concerns about ecosystem collapse, carbon emissions and community safety.

Australia’s forests are experiencing rapidly rising tree death rates at the same time as a major heatwave drives extreme fire danger across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, raising grave concerns about ecosystem collapse, carbon emissions and community safety.

Brisbane’s median home value has surged by about $135,900 over the past year, lifting typical dwelling prices to around the $1 million mark and outpacing Sydney and Melbourne, even as borrowers brace for possible interest rate hikes in early 2026.

Australia is entering 2026 with multiculturalism reaffirmed as central to the national story, while a tightening but highly targeted migration program pushes states such as the ACT and Tasmania to use their skilled visa quotas to attract urgently needed workers in health, trades and regional roles.

Australian renters received sobering news this week as new data confirms the nation's rental affordability crisis has intensified, with rents climbing faster than household incomes and vacancy rates dropping to levels not seen in decades.

Brisbane, QLD A global architecture dream team has been appointed to design the new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park, which will serve as the centrepiece venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Australia begins 2026 juggling pressures on three fronts: a tougher global economy, growing anxiety about safety and social cohesion, and a changing climate that is already biting at the local level.

Communities across north-west Queensland are battling some of the worst flooding in decades, with thousands of cattle lost, towns isolated and emergency fodder drops underway as governments roll out an initial $2 million support package for graziers.

Queensland has achieved a major milestone in building its future healthcare workforce, welcoming a record 930 first-year graduate doctors into Queensland Health hospitals across the state the largest intake in the state’s history.

NSW and South Australian health authorities are urging recent travellers and holiday‑season shoppers to watch for measles symptoms after infectious adults returned from South‑East Asia and moved through busy airports, hospitals and shopping centres in late December.