Youngest senator describes battle with depression
Australia's youngest senator celebrated her 21st birthday on election night, and has laid bare her journey to the nation's federal parliament.
Education
Parents urged to go to police with childcare concerns
Childcare educators are working for years after being banned and police want parents to report suspicions immediately to protect kids, an inquiry has been told.
HECS debt relief nears as Labor eyes further uni reform
University students and graduates will soon save up to $1300 a year as the government's HECS relief bill reached an important milestone.
Worried parents demand national childcare watchdog
Plans to strip funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards could place a greater burden on parents, advocacy groups warn.
Student revolt against AI arts course at top university
One of Australia's leading universities is facing resistance to a subject teaching fine arts students how to use artificial intelligence to make artworks.
Police given more time to investigate accused pedophile
A childcare worker accused of abusing eight children is expected to face further charges as prosecutors successfully applied for more time to gather evidence.
‘We failed’: families seek options after abuse charges
Concerned parents are investigating all options to ensure the safety of their children after a childcare educator was charged with abuse.
Plan to rid anti-Jew ‘cancer’ targets uni, arts funding
Universities and cultural bodies that fail to act against anti-Semitism could have their funding terminated as part of a blueprint to combat discrimination.
‘We’re here’: Australia joins the race for US academics
Australia is throwing its hat in the ring in the global contest to attract US academics amid President Donald Trump's adversarial approach to higher education.
‘Sense of belonging’ helps Indigenous kids at school
Support for Indigenous students including cultural activities, mentoring and connection with Elders is making a difference to attendance, grades and confidence.
Student couldn’t hack parking fees before $40k ‘ransom’
An aggrieved student has allegedly taken out her frustrations on her university, engaging in a years-long campaign of cyber attacks and financial extortion.
Major boost for tradie students to solve housing crisis
Tradies will be able to complete their apprenticeships for free as a state government tries to ease the housing crisis.
International students take notice as uni ranks tumble
Many Australian universities have taken a hit in their global rankings and a number are struggling with their reputations in the eyes of employers.
AI threatens to widen gender gap for regional girls
Artificial intelligence could exacerbate the gap between boys and girls studying STEM subjects, an expert has warned, especially in regional Australia.
Mother hit with charges over fatal primary school crash
A woman whose car rammed through a suburban school fence into a group of children, killing an 11-year-old boy, is facing two driving charges.
Exam overhaul after bungle blamed on junior staffer
A junior staffer has been blamed for a blunder in one state's year 12 exams, with the mistake triggering the sacking of an exam board.
Ex-Marist brother seeks record of sex abuse ‘flashback’
A former Marist brother wants to attack the credibility of a pupil he allegedly abused in the 1980s after he underwent a controversial psychotherapy procedure.
Leave it to us: teachers dismiss maths crisis claims
Australia's numeracy levels are at "crisis" point with a report suggesting trendy teaching methods are to blame, but teachers are hitting back at the claims.
Doubt cast on Chris Dawson’s student sex conviction
Questions about when wife-killer Chris Dawson kissed a female student undermine his conviction, a court has been told.
Harm to boys abused by women teachers ‘not foreseeable’
Four child sexual abuse cases had no merit because 1970s society was not aware that female teachers having sex with students caused harm, a court has been told.
Homecoming for Indigenous remains and shell necklace
The remains of a young Aboriginal man and a shell necklace kept at two northern hemisphere universities have been returned to their traditional owners.
‘Nation-building’ deal as public schools fully funded
Every Australian student will receive a fully funded public education after the Commonwealth brokered a deal with a final holdout state.
Teacher denies duty ‘not to have sex with students’
A female teacher accused of decades-old child abuse has claimed that by 1970s' standards she was under no obligation to refrain from sex with students.
Amping up: $45m boost to get women into energy and tech
Women could help to close skills shortages in areas such as cybersecurity, clean energy and construction that pose a threat to Australia's progress.
‘No child left behind’: billions for state schools
Billions of dollars will go towards Australia's biggest public school system after a new funding deal was reached, but one state is still holding out for more.
Staunch support an Indigenous chef’s recipe for success
A senior chef at one of Australia's most celebrated upmarket restaurants says an institute that supports aspiring Indigenous apprentices is his secret sauce.
Indigenous scholars awarded with ‘overwhelming honour’
Five Indigenous scholars have been awarded the inaugural First Nations Cancer Scholarship, supporting each person to undertake full-time studies or research.
Students get more power over sexual assault complaints
An independent office designed to help university students escalate concerns about sexual misconduct is expected to handle about 15,000 complaints a year.
PM caves on school funding after ‘tortuous’ talks
An extra $3.5 billion in federal cash will be ponied up by the Albanese government after protracted public school funding negotiations with two hold-out states.
ANU student reinstated after declaring Hamas support
An ANU student who called for unconditional support for Hamas was reinstated at the university on appeal after being expelled, a parliamentary inquiry was told.
Unis split on visa go-slow to curb foreign students
International student visas for tertiary education will be prioritised for a limited number of applicants before being hit with a go-slow to tame migration.