Comcare covered 973 massages for a former Sydney Symphony Orchestra violinist before deciding to cut support. But their decision to cease funding has been overturned, with the Administration Appeals Tribunal ruling that massage is a "reasonable" medical treatment.

Lego is being used in both informal and clinical sessions to improve the communication and cooperation skills of children with autism.

Police call off the search for five people missing in the Torres Strait since Wednesday after they set off by boat from Badu Island to Dauan Island, prompting a large-scale operation.

Questions are raised over a Northern Territory university's continued ownership of a loss-making private business colleges in Cairns, at a time when the university is being offered a multi-million-dollar NT Government bailout to keep its training sector afloat.

Witnesses say neighbours tried in vain to rescue a man from a burning vehicle after the ute exploded on a Cairns street, describing the scene as "horrific".

More dead wallabies have been found on a Cairns sporting field, taking the total number of carcasses in the past week to more than 30.

This self-employed labourer was doing casual work earning a couple of hundred dollars a week. Then he received a letter from his super fund saying his retirement savings had shrunk.

It's estimated that African swine fever has killed 25 per cent of the world's pig population. The deadly disease has now reached Timor-Leste, about 650 kilometres from Darwin.

The Bulldogs have gone above the Titans at the bottom of the NRL table, after the former upset the Knights in Newcastle and the latter was comfortably beaten by Penrith.

The Saints fall to the ladder-leading Cats in Geelong, the Crows humiliate the Suns by almost 100 points, the Bombers pipped the Kangaroos, while the Hawks and Blues also posted wins.

The Lions' resurgence continues as they edge out North and Freo pip the Swans after the Tigers beat the Power, the Giants thump the Pies and the Blues get the better of the Suns.

Ten years after being Hamilton Island's winter caretaker in a popular campaign, its winner Ben Southall is calling on people to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with each other.

As another large vessel sinks below the waterline on the Gold Coast, the Queensland Transport Minister says derelict boats are becoming a real problem and taxpayers are being forced to cover the cost.

A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal late in extra time gives the Sea Eagles a pulsating 11-10 win over the Storm, after the Broncos beat the Titans 34-12 and the Eels get home 24-22 against the Warriors.

Six people have now been charged over the 2012 murder of Jason De Ieso, who was shot dead in his Pooraka workshop in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Police say he was caught in a dispute between the Finks and Hells Angels.

As the congestion issue in south-east Queensland brings traffic to a grinding halt on major roadways and a heightened scrutiny of the public transport system, the ABC takes a look at how commuters are being impacted across the region.

Hawthorn keeps its finals hopes alive by beating premiers West Coast, Geelong remains a chance of claiming the minor premiership, while the Giants, Swans and Kangaroos enjoy victories.

The Raiders miss the chance to move up into third place by narrowly losing to the Warriors, while the Bulldogs knock off the Broncos and the Dragons pile even more pain on the Titans.

All fires across New South Wales and Queensland are downgraded to watch and act or advice as nightfall eases conditions somewhat. Look back at out coverage as firefighters battled blazes across two states.

Authorities and families are on high alert as homes are lost across the state with dozens of fires burning in places including the Gold Coast hinterland at Binna Burra, and Stanthorpe and Applethorpe on the Granite Belt.

The Tait twins, Sara and Kristen, had a tough start. One was born with spina bifida, the other with two large holes in her heart. But that hasn't stopped either of them from becoming high achievers.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates refuses to comment on a ruling handed down by the Office of the Independent Assessor made public this week.

After increasing pressure on the Queensland Government, all children held in the maximum security police watch house in Brisbane have now been removed and placed into youth detention centres.

A slumping sugar price and demand for reliable irrigation areas for cotton is spurring new interest in growing it in the tropics.

Scott Morrison steps in after former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce suggested the family facing deportation to Sri Lanka should be allowed to remain in the central Queensland town of Biloela.

The clean-up is underway after severe thunderstorms left a trail of damage but little precious rain in parts of South-East Queensland and the Darling Downs.

A group of primary students are turning to a traditional skill that they hope will help them, and their families, rely less on throwaway fashion.

TruTac, the tachograph and compliance software provider that recently received a Queen’s Award for Innovation, has launched a new fleet system for the planning and management of HGV and PSV vehicle maintenance and compliance.

The father of a young girl who uses medicinal cannabis to treat her severe form of epilepsy vows to continue lobbying for law reform, after being found guilty of charges of possession and cultivation.

Perth Glory get their first win of the season against the Mariners after Newcastle Jets beat Brisbane in a controversial game at Lang Park.

The Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners are still waiting for their first A-League wins this season after playing out an unremarkable 0-0 draw.

The Central Coast Mariners get their first win of the season and hand Sydney FC their first loss, to get round six underway in Gosford on Friday night.

Adelaide United travels to Gosford to meet Central Coast Mariners as it looks to break a three-match losing streak in the A-League. Follow all the live scores, stats and commentary.

Melbourne Victory miss out on the maximum points after a 1-1 draw with Central Coast Mariners in their A-League encounter in Geelong.

A woman who was punched in a road rage incident on the NSW Central Coast, which was viewed thousands of times on social media, enters a guilty plea for throwing nails and a chisel at another car.

A patent application has been granted which Meat and Livestock Australia fears will have a chilling effect on genomic research in Australia's cattle industries.

The dismantling of Big Kev, Darwin's resident brachiosaurus, has become the latest example of the lengths communities will go to to protect a local icon.

The Raiders outclass the Dragons in Wollongong, as the Eels beat the Tigers to spoil Benji Marshall's 300th NRL match, and the Cowboys enjoy a narrow triumph over the Roosters.

For the first time two overall winners have won the prestigious David Malin Awards which honours the best in Australian astrophotography.

Despite a tightening supply and smaller yields due to dry conditions, the value of Australia's wine exports has continued to grow.