The state government is rushing to finalise a significant rescue package for businesses amid warnings that the outbreak will get worse before it gets better.

A teacher shortage is biting in NSW, particularly in regional and disadvantaged areas, and will get worse as a large group of older teachers retire and fewer young people elect to begin teaching degrees.

History will be made either way in a repeat of last year’s decider with the Sky Blues chasing a hat-trick of titles and Melbourne City their first. Coverage from 4pm.

Premier Berejiklian announced a two week lockdown for Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Shellharbour, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.

Earlier, Premier Mark McGowan said Western Australia could not afford to take any risks with the virus.

Some recently eased restrictions have been reversed after two new cases were likely linked to a quarantine breach cluster. A miner returned from the Northern Territory has also tested positive.

Follow all the major moments in our Sunday AFL live blog.

A boom teen debutant, an injured boom teen debutant, an ineligible bolter, a global pandemic and a red-hot Blues side looking to secure the shield in enemy territory. Just your typical Origin build-up.

‘It’s slightly quirky’: A longtime butcher shop in Melbourne’s north-east has had an unlikely makeover to sell pavlovas.

Five people with disabilities are leading what could be the first of several discrimination cases levelled against the government and Yarra Trams over their failure to keep pace with federal standards for accessible public transport.

Barnaby Joyce, borrowing from Joh Bjelke-Petersen, will confuse his personal interest with the public interest and believe his new ministers really are the best for the country. Deep down, they are not.

Sydneysiders are waking up to their first day of a city-wide strict lockdown in almost a year, and Darwin enters a two-day lockdown while the Northern Territory urgently traces contacts of a mine worker who became infectious.

Marcus Bontempelli’s Brownlow Medal credentials have been further underlined in a comprehensive Bulldogs win over West Coast in Perth on Sunday.

An experienced skydiver and a young man died in a “freak” tandem skydiving accident at Goulburn in the state’s Southern Tablelands.

A dramatic ‘intervention’ by an international artist has temporarily transformed one corner of the inner city.

Richmond, despite their problems, are the only side in contention for that eighth spot that are likely to do any serious damage in September.

The gelding has settled in nicely at the Mid North Coast stable of Matthew Robinson since switching from Victoria earlier in the year.

Everything you need to know to start the week off with a winner.

Northern beaches residents, on their third lockdown, were out and about today but cautious of crowding on popular walkways.

Australia’s big banks have pledged support including loan deferrals or waiving fees for customers under financial strain due to NSW’s COVID-19 lockdown

The Victorian Planning Authority released proposed rules for the Preston Market in May, which would allow up to 20 storeys of apartments but ensure the future of the market.

The US President has been forced to walk back his demands after he “understandably upset some Republicans”.

States and territories need to go hard and go early to protect their communities from the latest outbreak that has spread to four jurisdictions.

Barnaby Joyce has elevated Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Gee to cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle after he took back the Nationals leadership.

The entire year 5 student cohort at Connolly Primary have been listed as close contacts, while contact tracing is underway for casual contacts. 

Police are seeking the public’s help to find the 33-year-old woman they believe was driving an allegedly stolen hire car that hit and killed an officer on Saturday.

Strong performances by young players Will Day, Changkuoth Jiath, James Worpel, Jack Scrimshaw, Dylan Moore, and Denver Grainger-Barras on debut - plus an absolute screamer mark of the year contender by Tim O’Brien - were highlights of the victory, ...

Judge Tanya Smith handed down a lengthy judgment in the Sydney Downing Centre in which she said the couple showed little remorse for their offending and their motivation for their actions was the “enhancement of their lifestyle”

The Communist Party of China is 100. What are the benefits of membership? And who calls the shots?

Use our interactive map to find and track the sites identified in NSW as potential COVID-19 exposure sites.

Victoria is the only Australian state that allows donors to withdraw their consent up until the moment an embryo is transferred into a woman. It’s a situation that has prompted experts to call for changes to better protect the rights of those under...

The two nations are right now locked in open rivalry for world domination - but for many years, they tried to be allies.

Anyone who visited any of the sites, which include Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, is urged to quarantine at home and get tested as soon as possible.

The Super Netball schedule was thrown into chaos on Friday after the West Coast Fever claimed the Melbourne Vixens “refused” to board a flight to Perth for the match.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he is ready to fight at the next election ahead of his return to work following a serious injury.

The Wallabies were due to play their first Test at the SCG in 35 years. But the Sydney lockdown has forced RA to move the match.

Families frustrated with the slow pace of recovery efforts have demanded they be allowed to go to the scene and attempt a collective shout to find survivors.

Aged Australians cannot afford to wait around for the Pfizer vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine available to them now is not only safe but an effective protection against the much more immediate threat - COVID-19.

What, no sympathy for a selfish white woman hellbent on hurtling downhill in a health crisis?

UNESCO took the rare step this week of recommending Venice be placed on its list of World Heritage in Danger sites.

On June 29, 1880, Ned Kelly was captured in Glenrowan after a shootout with police. The excitement in Melbourne was intense as the public anxiously awaited the outcome of the standoff with the infamous Kelly gang.

The outbreak has sent state and territory health authorities scrambling to trace 900 contacts who have departed the mine site and dispersed across Australia since coming into contact with the infectious worker.

Authorities are trying to find airline passengers who shared a flight with an infected crew member, Kangaroos staff and players are isolating and awaiting test results and three miners in the state are isolating after working at the Northern Territor...

Restrictions are back in Perth and Peel with fears a new COVID-19 community case is the quick to spread Delta variant.

Two young musicians, Callum Mintzis and Pat Jaffe, have finally been able to perform their debut collaboration: a suite of organic beauty.

Melbourne’s indy theatres have reopened with two plays that are animated by the rebelliousness of youth and yield terrific performances.

I painted a new enormous DIY blackboard onto the door of a cupboard in the middle of my kitchen. It’s changed our lives.

Arts companies are getting creative to raise private donations in their end-of-financial year fundraising drives made more urgent by the Sydney lockdown.

The Sharks winger has been ruled out after social media users pointed out an eligibility flaw in an article, which then prompted a NSW complaint.

Video footage shows one police officer kneeling on the man’s neck for several minutes.