Big savings for patients travelling for healthcare
Queenslanders who have to travel from their regional home to metropolitan areas for health care will now have their accommodation subsidised from day one.
health
Breakthrough for Gulf War veterans suffering illness
The underlying cause of a complex and mysterious illness in Gulf War veterans has been unearthed by Australian researchers after decades of investigations.
Millions needed for life-saving diabetes devices
As the number of people with diabetes spirals there's a call for the funding of insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices for those unable to afford them.
Refugee doctors revive careers cut short by conflict
With their homes torn apart by war and conflict, refugee doctors in Queensland are getting an opportunity to be back in hospitals until they qualify to work.
Toxic waterway alert as factory inferno probe continues
Contaminated waterways near a toxic factory fire in Melbourne's west are causing concern, with the cause of the blaze still under investigation.
Toxic factory fireball contained but will rage for days
A huge factory fire billowing toxic smoke is expected to burn for days, with residents told to stay indoors and a major freeway shut for health reasons.
GPs urge jabs as winter lurgies return with a vengeance
A spike in illness ranging from flu and whooping cough to gastro concerns doctors and health authorities who urge more people to get vaccinated.
More funding, workforce boost for abortion services
Women's health services will get a funding boost ahead of new laws allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe an abortion medication.
Appetite for sugar tax to fight diabetes and obesity
Calls for a tax on sugary drinks have won the support of a federal parliamentary committee among its recommendations to combat diabetes and obesity.
Young people sadder, lonelier since social media onset
Young Australians report worsening mental health since some of the most popular social media platforms entered their lives.
Incest fears after sperm donor’s 200-plus visits
The damning findings of a Queensland fertility clinic probe has revealed a donor may have fathered hundreds of children, sparking incest fears.
Indigenous kids ‘suffering in silence’ with ear disease
More than 26 per cent of First Nations children suffer undiagnosed ear disease and one-in-five live with undetected hearing loss.
Doctor admits oversights before toddler’s sepsis death
Reflecting on a two-year-old toddler thought to have died of sepsis in regional NSW, an emotional doctor has said more could have been done before the tragedy.
Lovers warned ‘common’ bedroom trend could be deadly
Fear of being labelled "vanilla" in the bedroom and ignorance of the danger are leading young people to consent to an intimate act posing genuine risk of harm.
PM spruiks cost of living measures amid Payman row
The new financial year ushers in a range of new cost-of-living measures that the prime minister insists are responsible in light of inflation challenges.
PM defends ‘real and substantial’ tax cuts for all
The new financial year has ushered in a range of new laws, including tax cuts despite concerns they could add more pain to households by fuelling inflation.
Union warning as ‘killer stone’ ban comes into effect
Union members will be "watching like hawks" to ensure companies don't try to circumvent a ban on engineered stone, the CFMEU national secretary has warned.
Albanese links new energy plan to cost-of-living crisis
Cost-of-living support in the form of tax cuts and higher pay for minimum-wage workers are among changes to come into effect in the new financial year.
Homeless to Olympian: ex-swimmer’s remarkable journey
Ex-Australian swimmer Daniel Smith has highlighted the importance of mental health ahead of the Paris Olympics after his own remarkable recovery.
More hip-pocket help, less vaping in new financial year
Cost of living relief in the form of tax cuts and a pay increase for minimum-wage workers are among the changes to come into effect in the new financial year.
Sights set on cataract surgery for Indigenous people
First Nations people are more likely to suffer blindness at a younger age but an Indigenous health program is restoring sight for dozens of patients at a time.
World-first laws curtailing vape sales pass parliament
Vapes will only be able to be sold over the counter at pharmacies under world-leading reforms passed by federal parliament.
Vape ban contested as smokescreen rises over costs
Access to vapes will be made harder under new laws but the banning of e-cigarettes is being criticised as counterintuitive for promoting a black market.
Ecstasy and agony as pill testing gets another backer
Victoria has become the third Australian jurisdiction to legalise pill testing following a spate of drug overdoses and deaths at music festivals.
Nurses say 15 pct pay rise will not hit patient pockets
Nurses have demanded a 15 per cent pay rise and a new report argues the NSW government could achieve it without costing taxpayers a cent.
Pharmacy lobby blasts plan for chemists to sell vapes
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has slammed a new plan that would allow smokers to buy vapes at pharmacies without the need for a doctor's prescription.
Chilly residents wonder why Australian homes so cold
As more residents take to social media complaining about cold homes, experts warn chilly interiors can impact people's health and wellbeing even if they rug up.
Alarm as steep rise in youth vaping overtakes smoking
Vaping has increased twofold among young people aged 15 to 29 in the past year despite national reforms to crack down on usage.
Videos helping youth go vape-free for health, Country
A series of animations, co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, are helping to reduce the rate of vaping among Indigenous youth.
Three more years for first illicit pill-testing service
Canberra's pill-testing service will remain open for at least the next three years, with the ACT government extending its funding.
Hospital set for AI medical scans in ‘Australian first’
Artificial intelligence is set to used to help with medical scans by a Queensland public hospital in what has been hailed as an Australian first.