Community
As Census night approaches, households across the country are preparing to fill out the compulsory national survey. Here is your complete guide on how to complete the form, protect your privacy, and avoid potential penalties.
The upcoming 2026 Australian census will officially introduce optional questions on gender identity and sexual orientation. Advocates say the historic change will help bridge critical funding and healthcare gaps for the LGBTQ+ community.
A groundbreaking real-time facial recognition trial by WA Police has scanned over 130,000 citizens, drawing sharp criticism from legal experts and privacy watchdogs over potential racial bias and lack of oversight.
A major police operation in Western Australia's far north has resulted in the arrest of nine boys following a series of early-morning break-ins. Authorities have recovered several stolen vehicles and are emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and regional youth diversion programs.
Aleesha Gilmore, who was acquitted of the murder of Cassius Turvey, has avoided prison after breaching her suspended sentence with a driving offence. The Chief Justice ruled that immediate imprisonment would be unjust, urging her to remain on the straight and narrow.
Local government leaders in Australia's mining heartlands are warning of severe funding shortfalls if the upcoming census fails to accurately count thousands of FIFO workers. Regional infrastructure is already feeling the strain of these unrecorded 'ghost populations.'
Fremantle residents and business owners are celebrating news that the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will open months ahead of schedule. Despite initial fears of major traffic disruption, local communities rallied to support independent shops during the closure.
After more than a century of serving the South West community, the historic Vasse General Store is closing its doors for the last time. The beloved local hub has succumbed to intense competition from major supermarket chains and corporate developments.
Decades after suffering horrific abuse at St Andrew's Hostel, survivors in Katanning are fighting local authorities over the location of a planned $750,000 memorial. The community is also demanding a formal apology from the local shire as the perpetrator's prison release date approaches.
A West Australian pensioner's legal battle to live in his converted bus has sparked a landmark statewide policy overhaul, allowing residents to reside in mobile homes on private land for up to two years. The rule change offers vital relief to those struggling in the midst of the ongoing housing crisis.
Deep beneath East Gippsland, a local family's chance discovery solved a century-old geological mystery, revealing one of Victoria's longest and most dangerous cave systems.
A viral video of a wild police pursuit in Kununurra has thrust the East Kimberley's youth crime battle into the global spotlight, prompting an influx of police. However, local leaders warn that temporary officer surges are merely a reactive band-aid for deep-seated community issues.
A Gosnells man is facing serious charges after allegedly smashing 20 vehicles with a metal pole during a 90-minute rampage through Perth. The suspect led police on a high-speed chase through several suburbs before being arrested in Duncraig.
A former German police officer on a working holiday in Broome says she no longer feels safe after being cornered, pelted with rocks, and filmed by a group of local teenagers. The victim has also criticized the local police's initial response to the violent assault.
A Western Australian judge has directed a jury to disregard seven sexual abuse charges against former Bishop of Broome Christopher Alan Saunders due to insufficient evidence. The trial will continue with the remaining 19 charges, with closing arguments scheduled to begin on Monday.
A 30-year-old woman has been jailed for five years after launching a destructive arson spree that gutted the historic Norfolk Chapel, causing over $3.4 million in damages. The court heard the shocking attacks on local cemeteries were motivated by a desperate desire to impress a group of friends.
Stunning drone footage captured in Western Australia has revealed a dolphin mother mourning her deceased calf for an unprecedented 11 days. The rare and emotional observation offers researchers a profound look into the complex inner lives of marine mammals.
A prestigious South Perth private school has suspended several students after they targeted a classmate with antisemitic memes and language in a private chat. The incident has sparked strong condemnation from WA Premier Roger Cook.
Western Australian Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has defended a quiet update to FOGO bin guidelines that bans previously accepted items like pizza boxes and tea bags. The changes have sparked concern among local councils and residents over conflicting instructions and reduced rubbish collections.
The Shire of Boyup Brook is facing fierce backlash from residents after deciding to wind down operations and lease out Rylington Park, a beloved community farm. Local volunteers argue the decision dishonours the legacy of the late Eric Farleigh, who donated the $1.3 million property for agricultural education.
Western Australian households face major adjustments to their daily recycling habits following an unexpected tightening of FOGO bin rules. Popular items such as pizza boxes, tea bags, and pet waste have been abruptly banned from green-lidded bins to prevent chemical contamination.
A devastatingly dry July has left agricultural communities across Western Australia desperate for late-winter rain, with meteorological forecasts offering little hope of immediate relief.
Suspended Perth paediatrician Chia Liang Saw has had his bail revoked after being hit with 15 additional child sex abuse charges. Police now allege the medical practitioner targeted 18 young victims, some through hidden cameras in his local clinics.
Western Australia's Court of Appeal has dismissed Mitchell Forth's attempt to reduce his nine-year manslaughter sentence for his role in the death of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey. The decision brings relief to the victim's family, who criticized the appeal as a painful waste of resources.
An 18-year-old driver has been sentenced to 19 months in an adult prison following a tragic 2025 off-road crash near Logue Brook Dam that claimed the life of 15-year-old Caitlyn Bragger. The court heard the young driver delayed his guilty plea until adulthood, forcing him to serve his time in an adult facility rather than juvenile detention.
A 31-year-old Melbourne man has been remanded in custody after being extradited to Western Australia to face serious child exploitation charges. The arrest follows an investigation into alleged online grooming through gaming and social media platforms.
The prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards in Darwin have celebrated the incredible talent of First Nations designers, highlighting cross-border collaborations and deep cultural preservation.
A spectacular surge in barn owl populations is helping WA farmers naturally combat a severe mouse plague. Local wildlife groups and landholders report a rare breeding boom, though experts warn of challenges ahead as food sources dwindle.
Local authorities and wildlife protection groups are investigating a disturbing incident after a teenager was filmed forcing a native black swan to inhale vape fumes. The shocking video has sparked widespread public outrage and calls for swift legal action.
A popular sunset camel tour at Cable Beach ended in drama when a spooked animal bucked two tourists onto the sand. A woman in her 60s was taken to Broome Hospital following the incident.
Two New Zealand adventurers remain stranded in a high-altitude ravine on Mount Popomanaseu after torrential rain cut off their descent route. Rescuers are currently waiting for a window of clear weather to launch an aerial extraction.
A vibrant seven-kilometre public art installation by local artists Chris Nixon and Kyle Hughes-Odgers has transformed the concrete spaces under Perth's elevated rail line into a stunning visual journey. The project has revitalised neighbourhoods from Carlisle to Beckenham while gaining international award recognition.
An Australian man facing serious murder charges in Thailand had largely withdrawn from friends and family in the years leading up to the incident. Simon Carman, 45, is accused of a brutal crime in Pattaya, shedding light on a life marked by isolation.