WA player wins big as Powerball jackpots to eye popping sum
The Powerball jackpot has rocketed to an eye popping $50 million after no players were able to lay claim to Thursday night's $30m prize.
The winning numbers for draw #1515 were 21, 35, 26, 23, 15, 10, 7 and the Powerball number was 18.
However, four lucky ticketholders —including one West Aussie — managed to score big with division two prizes of $120,876.45 each.
With no winner in Thursday's draw, the Powerball jackpot prize will now soar to a staggering $50m for the June 5 draw.
This comes just days after the Oz Lotto's $50m prize also failed to go off. Next Tuesday's prise has jumped to $70m.
That means two whopping jackpots — totalling $120m — will be up for grabs next week.
Previously, an Aussie man bagged the $30m Powerball jackpot on 9 May as the sole division one winner.
The NSW man from Cessnock, was ecstatic at the news of his win, and said 'there would no more worrying about bills now'.
'For a start, I'll look at buying a new house and looking after the family. Then, I'll take it from there,' he said.
'I'm going to ring my kids right now and tell them the news!'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canberra Times
27 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
What the Federal Government's solar rebates mean and how to cut your power bills
WATCH: Where Aussie Airbnb hosts earn THE MOST | | 7NEWS The Federal Government's new solar battery rebate, announced as part of the 2025 Budget, is an important piece of the puzzle that is Australia's energy transition and quest for Net Zero by 2050. While one in three Australian homes currently have solar panels, shockingly, only one in forty is equipped with a battery. That's about to change. Slimline batteries are unobtrusive and blend into your home. Pic Solar Battery Group From 01 July, the new scheme gives eligible households across Australia a 30 per cent upfront discount on solar batteries, unlocking long-term power bill savings, helping to reduce grid pressure, and supporting the country's carbon-neutral mission. But, what does the rebate really mean for Australian homeowners and how does the scheme fit into the bigger picture? To find out, View reporter Jessica Agoston Cleary did a deep dive into the research and talked to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Solar Battery Group, James Hetherington. As the man in charge of the largest solar battery provider in Australia, Hetherington is not only an expert on the topic, he's also firmly committed to making energy sustainable and affordable. Here's what you need to know. How much could you save? The new scheme "is a win for family budgets and for the country's energy transition," Mr Hetherington says. "The savings are significant. A family with a 5kW solar system and a 10kWh battery can trim grid usage by about 60 to 80 per cent. At today's tariffs, that's roughly $2,300 a year." What's equally as impressive is that the benefit appears from the very first quarterly bill - provided usage habits remain consistent. These savings go beyond reductions in your power bill. Having lower energy costs translates into an increase in disposable income, which is always a good thing in today's economy. According to an LBL report, even a $100 drop in annual energy costs leads to a 2.3 per cent drop in mortgage default odds. How does the rebate work? Unlike state-based schemes, the Federal Government's rebate applies at the point of sale. . "From 1 July 2025 the accredited installer applies the 30 per cent Federal discount; you see the price reduction on your invoice and the installer later redeems the value," Mr Hetherington says. This makes it simpler and more immediate than many state incentives, which typically provide fixed rebates or interest-free loans after installation. The Federal solar scheme is national, uncapped, and percentage-based, with a one batter per household limit. Can I combine it with state incentives? The short answer that we all want to hear is yes! "The Commonwealth has designed the new rebate to be 'stackable'," Mr Hetherington confirms. "In Victoria, New South Wales or Western Australia, for example, you may add the 30 per cent discount to your state rebate or loan, provided the combined support does not exceed the installed cost." It's important to note that while the battery rebate scheme is 'stackable', the other available incentives and schemes vary from state to state. To find out more about how to maximise your savings visit your state government website. Against natural timber cladding the batteries may stand out more but theyre part of sustainable design choices. Pic Solar Battery Group Who's eligible - and what are the common traps? Eligibility for the scheme is broad, with owner-occupiers, landlords and small businesses connected to the grid able to access the rebate, as long as they install an approved battery between 5kWh and 100kWh with a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer. As with any new government scheme, there are a few misconceptions floating around. "Retrospective claims on existing batteries are not allowed," Mr Hetherington cautions. He also points out that "taking the Federal rebate does not cancel your state incentive." What are people asking - and what should they be asking? Since the announcement, Solar Battery Group has seen inquiries triple. Most callers want to know how cheap a battery can be. But Hetherington says the better questions to ask are: "What is my evening usage profile? What is the warranty of batteries? Can the system join a virtual power plant?" For those new to the solar conversation, a virtual power plant (VPP) probably sounds more like science fiction than reality. However, there are numerous VPP's around the country. In Victoria, for example, more than 700,000 households use solar energy. Essentially, a VPP creates a microgrid. By connecting individual household batteries in an energy-sharing network, small amounts of surplus energy are fed back into the network for use by others in the community. This not only helps balance out supply and demand on the electricity grid, it also reduces individual power bills as you can even be paid for your contribution. WATCH: What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)? | Solar Victoria Asking the questions Mr etherington suggested, together with finding out if your community has a VPP, will help to determine the real-world performance and revenue potential of your solar energy system. What kind of system does a typical home need? The right size depends on your night-time energy usage and the capacity of your solar panels. The most important factor is that your battery is able to store every kilowatt of precious energy your solar panels generate so that none of it gets lost. "Most families would require a 10kWh unit, which after the rebate, allows us to bring our prices down to $5,000," Mr Hetherington says. Solar Battery Group's batteries feature integrated smart technology to monitor usage, and their team of dedicated agents are available to help homeowners understand and optimise their systems. There are also a number of great resources and tips for optimising your solar energy system at Smaller batterys can be easily mounted to any external wall. Pic Solar Battery Group When will I break even? As with anything to do with property, return on investment (ROI) is always top of mind, and thanks to the rebate, payback periods have shortened dramatically. "Most households can expect a return on investment in three to four years," Mr Hetherington says. "Well within the 10-year product warranty and well before the battery's 15-year expected lifespan." How can I check I'm not being misled? "Make sure you do your research," Mr Hetherington says. "Start by understanding your power consumption and current solar generation. Then check the Clean Energy Council approved suppliers and products list and speak to a certified installer." Once again, has some excellent guides and resources about making the switch to solar. From installation, maintenance, figuring out what size system you need, to estimating your cost savings. Beyond bills: what else can a battery do for me? The benefits of having a solar battery storage system go well beyond cutting costs. "Black-out resilience, the ability to join virtual power plants and earn credits, readiness for EV charging, higher property value, and a lower carbon footprint," Mr Hetherington says. "It also eases peak-demand pressure on the grid." As already noted, energy-efficient homes command a premium sale price, which is music to any property owner's ears. But, there are far greater benefits to owning and living in an energy efficient, sustainable home. As noted on prefab modular home website Ecolive, "A sustainable energy efficient home provides lifestyle benefits, such as cross-ventilation, north-facing orientation, heat recovery ventilation, and solar panels." Track usage and monitor savings digitally. Pic Solar Battery Group Is now the right time to act? There are two ways to look at answering this question. On a larger, macro level, as part of the Paris Agreement, Australia has set itself the goal of being Net Zero by 2050. As stated by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, "A strong Australian contribution to emissions reduction helps in the global effort to reduce major environmental, health and economic risks from the dangerous effects of climate change. This global effort is essential to protecting Australia from the worst climate impacts." You might be thinking 'I'm all for playing my part, but what impact will transitioning to solar really have in the grand scheme of things?" You'd be surprised. On a micro level, the impact of individual household choices has a significant part to play. "Residential buildings are responsible for around 24 per cent of overall electricity use and more than 10 per cent of total carbon emissions in Australia." The time to act is now, and there is no time like the present - especially when it comes to climate change and taking full advantage of government incentives. "Early adopters capture the full 30 per cent discount; the percentage tapers down each year to 2030," Mr Hetherington says. With 2050 just 25 years away, winter bills looming and installer demand set to spike, getting your ducks in a row - such as working out your energy needs and doing your due diligence on installers - will put you in the perfect position to maximise savings and realise the multifaceted ROI benefits as soon as July first arrives.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'Earning two months in two weeks': British expats reveal staggering $9,000 a fortnight salary as a FIFO worker in Australia
The possibility of earning more than $9,000 a fortnight as a Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) mine worker in Australia has seen Brits flock Down Under in droves. Cash-strapped expats from the UK have joined Australian citizens increasingly enticed by the pay packet on offer for FIFO work, particularly for roles in remote mines in Queensland and Western Australia. And it seems the cash benefits of working long, consecutive outside under the Australian sun outweigh the drawbacks. Caithilín Hughes, 26, from Belfast, Ireland, works long 12-hour days for 14 consecutive days under the Aussie sun as a machine operator in WA. She splits her time between the mine and her home in Perth and says she enjoys FIFO work for the "money game." "The average hourly wage for a machine operator is around $55. We work 12-hour days for 14 days straight. That's around $9,240 before tax," Caithilín told the Irish Independent last week. "Now I spend my days driving huge machines in the mines of Western Australia, earning in two weeks what would take some at home in Ireland, nearly two months to earn." Caithilín Hughes took to TikTok to reveal that her daily rate is about $55 per hour, which she said could total more than $600 per day. "Most jobs are probably going to range from $30 an hour to maybe $60 or $70 an hour," the 26-year-old said. "I work as a machine operator, so I can only really talk about what a machine operator makes. "Most people who come on a holiday working visa tend to work as machine operators. So, you're probably going to get paid from $45 to $65 an hour. "Probably most people will make the $50 to $55 range. So, based on $55 an hour, 12 hours a day, you're going to get paid $660 a day. The 26-year-old enjoys a six-day break in Perth before returning to work for two weeks at a time. She is an aspiring investigative journalist and hopes to one day fulfil her career goal in Belfast, but she is content with her life Down Under for now. Englishwoman Aimee Gale also took to TikTok to say she landed a sought-after role as a FIFO worker despite having limited experience. She said most companies are willing to hire people who meet the working requirements. Those include a working holiday visa, a police check, a white card, and certifications for working at heights, confined spaces, and gas testing. "I must have contacted around 30 different agencies, maybe even more, just calling them, emailing them, and if I didn't get a response, I would go up to the recruitment agency and show my interest that way," Aimee said. "A lot of people didn't even respond. "They also said they were looking for somebody who had a year experience or at least six months." Aimee said being a FIFO is not always rosy; it also means being "eaten alive" by mosquitoes and grappling with intense heat. "It's so, so hot, and you're in your full PPE [protective gear] all day," the expat said. She also described her first work experience with rollers, where people operate a machine to compact materials like soil and asphalt, as "awful". "Then, I was doing TA and hose tech, so (it was) simpler, but still hard. Those were 12-hour days," Aimee said. "So, you've just got to go in open-minded. You can't go in thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is going to be amazing, and I'm going to meet so many new people', which you do, and it's amazing, but there are downsides to things as well. It's not all sunshine and rainbows." Aimee spends her time off work enjoying snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and soaking up Australia's rays. Meanwhile, Irish model and beauty pageant titleholder Grainne Gallanagh offered a rare glimpse into her experience as a FIFO worker in a WA mine. Grainne is from Buncrana, Ireland, and relocated to Perth with her fiancé, Ryan Coleman, in March 2023. After a brief holiday, the couple embarked on FIFO work in WA's rugged red dirt mines. It's there the former Miss Universe Ireland spent 12-hour shifts driving trucks under the scorching Australian sun. Despite the harsh conditions, Grainne described the mining work as an exciting adventure that she would highly recommend to others and acknowledged the benefits of well-paid mine work. Grainne was named 'Employee of the Month' in her first month on the job, followed by 'Employee of the Year,' beating hundreds of other workers. "I was so nervous about starting this job and how I would be received in an environment where I had no idea what I was doing, and it was mostly men," she said on social media last September. "But I was so pleasantly surprised; they have genuinely been so unbelievably patient, helpful, kind, and have made me laugh every single day. And the girls have been a dream."
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Dog owners are ditching supermarket snacks for these all-natural Aussie treats
You wouldn't feed your family additives and fillers, so why give them to your dog? That was the thinking behind CLEAR Dog Treats, the all-natural Aussie brand taking dog lovers by storm. It all started when Karen and Peter Boxall, devoted dog parents, got fed up with the mystery meat and artificial nasties hiding in regular pet snacks. Most of the dog treats on the shelves were pumped full of sugar, preservatives and artificial colours, and Peter, a self-confessed dog nut, wasn't having a bar of it. So the couple decided to make their own. What began as a side hustle selling simple, healthy treats to grooming and training clients quickly took off. Word spread, orders rolled in, and CLEAR Dog Treats was born. Now, they offer over 80 different kinds of natural treats, all with one thing in common: no preservatives, no added sugar, no artificial anything. And dog owners can't get enough. The treat that smells but sells One of CLEAR's standout products is their Chicken Tenderloins, which come in various pack sizes (from $11.95 to $74.95). Most brands soak theirs in a glycerine solution to keep them soft, juicy-looking and heavier (more profitable for them, less meat for you). That sweet-smelling solution also acts as a mould inhibitor, but CLEAR's tenderloins skip the chemicals entirely. Instead, what you get is pure dehydrated Aussie chicken. No fluff, no filler, just meat. It takes around four kilograms of raw chicken to make one kilogram of CLEAR's dehydrated version, a concentration that delivers not only more nutrition but a much stronger smell. Yes, they're a bit pongy. But dogs absolutely love them. That rich scent comes from the nutrients, not preservatives. And unlike the supermarket brands, CLEAR doesn't try to mask it. 'Our chicken tenderloins can smell pretty strong, but that's the point,' says Peter. 'It's how real food smells when it's not covered in artificial junk. Dogs go nuts for it.' Why CLEAR Dog Treats are worth barking about Most of us want to feed our pets better, but we're short on time and don't always know where to start. That's what makes CLEAR such a winner. Every treat is made with 1 00 per cent natural, single-ingredient Aussie or New Zealand-sourced meat. There's nothing else in there. No preservatives. No additives. No sneaky sugars. And unlike many bigger brands that outsource everything, CLEAR works directly with suppliers to make sure every product is ethical, traceable and high-quality. It's a small business with a big heart, and it shows. They also offer responsive, personal customer service (which is getting rarer by the day). Whether your dog is picky, has dietary needs (like pancreatitis or joint issues), or just deserves a treat that isn't secretly garbage, there's something in the CLEAR range to suit. Their range includes low-fat options, long-lasting chews, training treats, and even items specifically designed to support dogs with allergies or sensitivities. It's not just a snack, it's a healthier way to treat your best mate. With more dog owners becoming ingredient-savvy, it's no surprise that . So yes, the treats might stink. But your dog will love you for it.
