Australia’s only shrew declared extinct: Christmas Island’s unique mammal lost forever

Australia has lost another native mammal, the Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura trichura), officially declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List on 10 October 2025. Once found throughout the rainforests...

Health class action

The recently formed Australian Zionist Healthcare Alliance (AZHA) has announced plans for a class action lawsuit against health regulators. The case will target AHPRA, the Health Care Complaints Commission, and national health boards and councils,...

Australia tells AI chatbot companies to detail child protection steps

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia has ordered four artificial-intelligence chatbot companies to explain their measures to protect children from exposure to sexual or self-harm material, as its internet regulator beefs up safety measures on the AI fronti...

Australia’s surprise unemployment spike suggests an economy not overheating but in need of stimulus | Greg Jericho

You didn’t vote for it, you weren’t even asked, but it was decided three years ago – mostly by those running the Reserve Bank – that Australia needed an extra 150,000 or so people to be unemployed. Back in 2022 Australia’s unemployment was 3.5%;...

Australia and New Zealand issue extreme fire danger warnings as heat records tumble

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Get Healthier Hair, According To Dermatologists

Essential oils, the highly-concentrated extracts from plants such as lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint, offer numerous benefits for our health and well-being. Many of 'em contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, meaning they can...

Meet the Victorian nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards

A farmers' health filmmaker, a mental health advocate, and a disaster rescuer are among the inspiring Victorians nominated for the 2026 Australian of the Year awards. Professor Arnold Dix, best known for leading international rescue missions,...

IGP partners with TAL Life to expand captive access in Australia

TAL Life Limited Australia (TAL) joins the International Group Program (IGP) Network as its new partner in Australia. The new partnership, announced in October 2025, enables multinational companies operating in Australia to incorporate group life...

The Voice star dies aged 56 after health battle as fans pay tribute

The Voice Australia's beloved star, Virginia Lillye, died on Sunday aged 56, following a two-year battle with advanced ovarian cancer. Her death was confirmed by fellow Australian musician Don Spencer on social media. He wrote: "I am terribly...

Millions of Australians urged to brace for extreme heat, damaging winds

Melbourne: Millions of Australians were warned to prepare for severe weather conditions on Wednesday as heatwaves and damaging winds swept across the country. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) on Wednesday morning issued severe weather warnings for...

Madeleine Boyd Named Global SVP, Beauty and Wellness at Together Group

LONDON – Together Group has named Madeleine Boyd global senior vice president, beauty and wellness, in a bid to accelerate its growth in a fast-growing market worth more than $6.8 trillion. Boyd was most recently global SVP at Karla Otto, and...

TOWIE's Demi Sims and her Made In Chelsea star girlfriend Jazz Saunders are banned from boarding flight to Australia

TOWIE's Demi Sims and her Made In Chelsea star girlfriend Jazz Saunders have revealed that they were banned from boarding a flight to Australia on Tuesday. The TOWIE star, 29, and her partner, 24, - who started dating in March 2025 - were planning...

Irishman airlifted to hospital after suffering 'life-changing injuries' in horror Australia crash

25-year-old Ben Denning Galligan from Cavan was involved in a road traffic collision in Australia last week A fundraiser has been launched to help support a young Irishman living in Australia who has been left with 'life-changing injuries'...

Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan issues health update after prostate cancer diagnosis

McGeechan has issued an update on his health British & Irish Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan says his prostate cancer is "all gone and under control", five months after going public with his diagnosis. The 78-year-old, who currently works as...

Want to live longer? Packing your steps into a few walks a week may be as healthy as daily exercise

Women who struggle to meet their daily step count have been reassured they can slash their risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than a quarter with just two 40-minute walks each week. Fresh research from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital...

Sports News | India's Batting Coach Optimistic About Ro-Ko's Form Ahead of 2nd ODI Against Australia

Adelaide [Australia], October 22 (ANI): Ahead of the second ODI against Australia, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak remains optimistic about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form, citing their strong IPL experience and preparation, despite their...

Australia’s best public spaces have been crowned – and Victorian landscape architects dominate the list

Victoria is home to some pretty impressive spaces – from spectacular buildings to beautifully manicured gardens. And according to a recent ceremony, our architecturally-designed outdoor spaces are the country’s best – with Victoria’s landscape...

Towie star reveals she was BANNED from boarding flight to Australia with her girlfriend

A TOWIE star has revealed that she was banned from boarding a flight to Australia with her girlfriend. Demi Sims took to social media to reveal her ordeal, while sharing a photo of herself and girlfriend Jazz Saunders in the airport. Sign up for...

Brisbane Rallies To Support Mother of Trans Child Suing QLD Govt Over Trans Healthcare Ban

Crowds gathered in Brisbane today for a community rally, standing in solidarity with a mother who has taken the Queensland Government to the Supreme Court over its suspension of public access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth under...

Letter of the Day | Preventing suicide through wellness education

THE EDITOR, Madam: Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds, and approximately two per cent of children and 11 per cent of adolescents are severely depressed. Many others suffer from anxiety, chronic pain, and...