Newly released census data has revealed the number of people in Australia who are homeless has risen by 15% since the 2011 Census.

More than 116,400 Australians were homeless on census night in 2016, with the largest number situated within the Melbourne area.

The data also revealed an increase in homelessness for older women, people under 25 and women and children escaping family violence.

15% of people who arrived in Australia between 2011 and 2015 are homeless.

Home affairs minister Peter Dutton has received criticism from his South African counterparts after revealing his department was exploring ways to fast-track humanitarian visas for “persecuted” white farmers.

Mr Dutton said white farmers need help “from a civilized country like ours,” following increasing reports of farm murders and possible land displacements in South Africa.

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker family last night were pulled from a plane at Perth airport, just minutes before they were due to be deported by Border Force Officials.

It's understood the couple came to Australia separately by boat in 2012 and 2013, following Sri Lanka’s civil war and settled in Biloela on a bridging visa which has since expired.

Biloela residents held a vigil last night, while a petition to return the family to their home has reached almost 60,000 signatures.

Charity groups in northern New South Wales have raised concerns the upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will strain their resources as persons experiencing homelessness move south as they are crowded out of the city.

St Vincent de Paul Lismore spokeswoman Linda Williams said Games preparations have affected access to some popular rough-sleeping spots.

Queensland housing minister Mick de Brenni said homeless people won’t be “moved on” from the Gold Coast “until such time as they're required to have a ticket.”

International researchers based in Australia have discovered animals born in captivity are half as likely to breed successfully compared those in the wild.

Study supervisor Dr Catherine Grueber of the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences and San Diego Zoo Global, was surprised by how universal the patterns were.

This new discovery puts into doubt the future success of animal breeding schemes across the world.

A set of three-fingered ‘mummies’ have been discovered in Peru that aren’t human.

Professor Konstatin Korotkov, from the Russian National Research University says the ancient remains are humanoid but not homo sapien.

He claims they could possibly be alien.

It has recently been revealed overseas hackers breached the Queensland Transport Department's security network last year.

The hackers attempted to steal information from staff members and from other sections of government after gaining access to two official email accounts.

However the operations were shut down within 5 hours and the identified IP addresses were blocked.

The University of Queensland is calling on children to help design a new playground.

UQ is planning on an all-abilities public playground at the St Lucia campus, and is holding a design competition to help create the best possible space.

Chief Operating Officer, Greg Pringle, says no one is better qualified to advise on the playground than children.

The Australian Defence Force is searching the Commonwealth Games venues to support Queensland Police Security measures.

Major General Paul McLachlan, commander of the ADF’s Games support, says the ADF is providing specialised capabilities that will enhance the local state police security arrangements.

The ADF has already begun searching a number of key locations during the lead up and will continue to search after the commencement of the Games.