hello BDB

A plasterer or painter can patch it and paint it and it will be as good as new - for about 1 week

Have you noticed the cracks getting bigger? What area are you in? has there been unusually wet or dry conditions? the main cause of cracks in ceilings is due to movement in your frame. This is most often caused by subsidence or movement in the ground, usually caused by extreme dry or wet spells. If your home was built on what is known as a "Reactive" site, then this movement can be considerable and cause these types of cracks. Your best bet is talk to a remedial builder with extensive experience in this sort of work, or an engineer with experience in this sort of work. they will be able to help identify the issue causing the cracks

good luck

Hello,

It's hard to tell from the images but it looks like and external wall corner?

If this has just happened it might worth getting an engineer to see what has all of sudden gone wrong. But if it is something that has been like that for a while now I would think if you get the cracking repaired it will be ok.

In Adelaide we see a lot of this and it is seasonal, meaning during different season the cracks will be larger and others smaller.

thanks. It's actually an internal wall. The cracks have gotten bigger in the last couple of months. I daee say it's probably due to the lack of water. We haven't seen the cracks that big before.....