At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Melbourne has earned a place on National Geographic’s list of the world’s best travel destinations, further strengthening its reputation as one of Australia’s leading cities. The list features 25 destinations across six continents, selected by National Geographic’s international network of writers, photographers and explorers. Melbourne was recognised for its thriving arts and sports scenes

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australian house prices recorded their steepest quarterly decline on record, falling 4.7 per cent in the September quarter, according to new data from Domain. All capital cities experienced house price falls during the quarter. It was the first time in 15 years that prices had declined across every capital city simultaneously, and only the second occurrence on record. Perth recorded the big

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia’s financial complaints reached a record high in the 2025–26 financial year, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) receiving almost 120,000 complaints from consumers and small businesses. AFCA Chief Ombudsman and CEO David Locke said the figures highlight the financial pressures facing Australians and the need for financial institutions to resolve customer conce

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Bushfires are costing Australia an estimated $6 billion annually, with the total expected to exceed $180 billion over the next 30 years, according to a new report from Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA). The report, based on modelling by ConnellGriffin, includes the impact on public health and wellbeing, lost productivity and damage to public assets. Health and wellbeing account fo

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australian women are more likely than men to experience work-related muscle and joint pain, delay medical treatment and continue working despite injuries, according to a new national survey released for WorkSpace Week 2026. The survey, commissioned by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) and conducted by independent research firm Pureprofile, included 1,056 participants. Its findi

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Sydney is preparing for a festive Christmas season in 2026, with free street fairs, outdoor concerts, Christmas markets, choir performances and the return of the iconic Martin Place Christmas tree. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City of Sydney’s celebrations would offer residents and visitors opportunities to enjoy the festive season across the city. Christmas street fairs Three neighbour

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. South-east Queensland is preparing for a wet and stormy week, with some areas forecast to receive more than two months’ worth of rain by the weekend. Sunshine Coast is expected to experience the heaviest rainfall, with up to 250mm possible over the next week. Brisbane could receive up to 145mm, while the Gold Coast may record as much as 160mm. Today weather presenter Carla Tooma said the Su

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia is considering measures to increase the use of locally produced biofuels as rising petrol prices and concerns over fuel supplies renew calls to strengthen the country’s energy security. Petrol prices have climbed to an average of $2.42 per litre amid the ongoing war in Iran. Australia currently holds around 41 days of petrol supply and 33 days of diesel, remaining well below the i

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Victoria’s Labor Party improperly used nearly $388,000 in public funds during its 2014 election campaign, according to a report by the state’s Ombudsman, Deborah Glass. The investigation found that 21 Labor MPs breached guidelines governing parliamentary staff by approving payments for electorate officers who performed campaign-related work. The election resulted in Daniel Andrews becoming

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia’s rental crisis is pushing more people to share homes with relatives, friends and housemates as limited supply drives rents higher. Housing experts warn that private renters are being overlooked in efforts to make accommodation more affordable. For Perth renter Grady Toomath, sharing a home with his brother and another housemate has become a financial necessity. He said the weekly

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. South-east Queensland is preparing for a wet week, with heavy rain expected across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast as easterly winds bring moisture towards the coast. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts weekly rainfall totals of up to 150mm in Brisbane, 170mm on the Gold Coast and 170mm on the Sunshine Coast. Brisbane is also expected to experience cooler-than-average

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Mining giant BHP has confirmed plans to cut 300 jobs across its Western Australian iron ore operations, affecting several major sites in the Pilbara region. The company said it is still finalising the details and consulting with affected employees. The job cuts will involve its South Flank, Mining Area C, Newman and Jimblebar operations in north-western Western Australia. BHP said workers a

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia’s unemployment rate has climbed to 4.7 per cent, reaching its highest level since October 2021 for the second consecutive month as the labour market shows signs of weakening. New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday show the September unemployment rate exceeded economists’ expectations of 4.6 per cent. The ABS also revised August’s rate from 4.

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Barracuda Aquatics, a competitive swimming club based in Melbourne’s south-east, is inviting new members to join its growing squad. The club focuses on helping swimmers improve their technique, build confidence and develop their competitive abilities in a supportive team environment. With strong links to the Sri Lankan community in Australia, Barracuda Aquatics welcomes swimmers from all ba

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australian schools and teachers are being urged to limit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect students’ long-term learning and thinking skills. The warning comes from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), which has reviewed research from Australia and overseas on the benefits and risks of AI in education. AERO chief executive Jenny Donovan said excessive relia

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Victorian doctors are calling for urgent investment in hospital beds, healthcare staff and community services as new research warns that Australia’s ageing population will place growing pressure on the health system. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine’s State of Emergency 2026 report projects a 411% increase in emergency department visits by people aged 85 and over by 2050. The

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia’s credit and debit card surcharge ban has sparked concerns that small businesses could face higher operating costs if banks and payment providers fail to reduce their merchant fees. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lowered interchange fee caps to help reduce payment costs for businesses. However, an RMIT University expert warns that the benefits may not reach small business

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Monash University and the Victorian Electoral Commission will host a free public event examining how Generation Z is engaging with politics ahead of the November 2026 Victorian state election. The event will focus on first-time voters, their use of digital media and how online content influences their understanding of political issues. Speakers will also discuss the challenges young people

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. A powerful thunderstorm has caused widespread damage in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, with homes, vehicles and businesses affected and thousands of residents left without electricity. The storm struck on Monday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and destructive winds that uprooted trees, scattered branches and damaged properties. Sheds and trampolines were lifted by strong gusts, while som

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australians have been urged to avoid travelling through King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following recent security incidents that have disrupted airport operations. Australia’s Smartraveller service issued a “Do not travel” warning for the airport on Monday after two reported attacks raised security concerns. The updated advice tells travellers to confirm their fli