| Australian Insurers Report Record Profits Amid Public Scrutiny Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian general insurance industry has reported an after-tax profit of $7.3 billion for the last financial year, marking its strongest performance in over a decade. This significant profit surge is attributed to lower-than-expected catastrophe losses and robust investment returns. However, this financial success has sparked public discourse regarding the fairness of pricing practices and the overall perception of the industry. - read more
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| ASIC Highlights Compliance Risks in Insurers' Claims Handling Practices Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has identified significant weaknesses in the claims handling practices of several insurers, raising concerns about potential compliance breaches. The regulator's recent review points to deficiencies in the oversight of expert reports and inadequate communication with consumers regarding cash settlement offers. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Brace for Earnings Slowdown After Record Profits Thu, 20 Nov: After achieving a return on equity (ROE) of 19% in the last financial year—the highest in a decade—Australian general insurers are preparing for a moderation in earnings growth. Consultancy firm Finity projects that the industry's ROE will decrease by six percentage points to 13% in the current financial year, aligning with the target range of 10% to 15%. - read more
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| Rising Liability Costs Put Pressure on Australia's Leisure Sector Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian Amusement Leisure & Recreation Association (AALARA) has raised concerns over the escalating costs of public liability insurance, which are placing significant pressure on amusement and recreation operators across the country. This warning follows the Insurance Council of Australia's (ICA) recent call for reforms to civil liability laws. - read more
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| New Report Highlights Insurance Challenges for Australian Small Businesses Thu, 20 Nov: A recent report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has revealed that small businesses in Australia are paying up to 30% more for their insurance premiums due to taxes and levies imposed by state and territory governments. This financial burden is leading to a worrying trend where an increasing number of small businesses are either underinsuring or forgoing insurance altogether. - read more
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| Introducing 'eeger': A New Era for Hospitality Careers in Australia Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian hospitality industry has long been a cornerstone of the nation's economy, offering diverse experiences to both locals and tourists. However, recent challenges, including labour shortages and the need for skilled workers, have prompted the government to take proactive measures. In response, the Australian government, in partnership with Accommodation Australia, has unveiled 'eeger', a comprehensive platform designed to attract, train, and retain talent within the tourism, hospitality, and travel sectors. - read more
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| Harnessing Technology: A Catalyst for Growth in Australia's Hospitality Industry Thu, 20 Nov: In the face of rising operational costs and labour shortages, the Australian hospitality industry is increasingly turning to technology to drive growth and enhance customer experiences. A recent report by Lightspeed highlights that nearly half (47%) of venue operators acknowledge the pivotal role of digital tools in improving operational efficiency. Additionally, 41% noted enhancements in customer service, attributing these improvements to the integration of technology that allows staff to focus more on service delivery. - read more
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| Navigating Rising Costs: Challenges for Australia's Hospitality Sector Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian hospitality industry is currently grappling with escalating operational costs, posing significant challenges to profitability and sustainability. Factors such as increased supply expenses, labour shortages, and economic uncertainties have converged, creating a complex landscape for businesses in the sector. - read more
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| Club Marine Recognised for Outstanding Service with 2025 Product Review Award Wed, 19 Nov: Club Marine, Australia's leading provider of recreational boat insurance, has been honoured with the 2025 Product Review Award for Insurance. This accolade is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence. - read more
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| Markel Insurance Expands into Australian Marine Market with New Leadership Wed, 19 Nov: Markel Insurance, a prominent global insurer, has announced the appointment of Tim Wills as Head of Marine – Australia. This strategic move signifies Markel's entry into the Australian marine insurance market, beginning with marine cargo coverage. - read more
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| Addressing the $38 Billion Equity Shortfall in Australian SMEs Wed, 19 Nov: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to the nation's economy, representing only 6% of all businesses yet contributing 26% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite their significance, these businesses face a substantial barrier: a $38 billion equity funding gap that stifles their growth potential. - read more
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| 20-Fold Increase in Small Business Restructurings to Sustain Operations Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reported a significant uptick in small business restructurings (SBR), with 3,388 appointments between July 2022 and December 2024. This marks an almost 20-fold increase compared to the previous period, indicating that more directors are embracing this regime to retain control while restructuring debt. - read more
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| AFCA Alerts SMEs to Risks of Unregulated Lenders Amid Complaint Surge Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has issued a warning to small businesses regarding the risks associated with unregulated lenders. This comes in response to a notable increase in complaints that AFCA cannot address due to the lenders' lack of membership in the authority. - read more
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| NSW Introduces Strata Law Reforms to Strengthen Community Governance Wed, 19 Nov: On 27 October 2025, the New South Wales (NSW) Government implemented significant reforms to strata laws, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and financial management within strata schemes. These changes are designed to better meet the evolving needs of strata communities across the state. - read more
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| Strata Insurance Affordability Holds Steady Despite Rising House Insurance Costs Wed, 19 Nov: In its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, CHU has revealed that strata insurance premiums have experienced a modest increase of 2.8%, rising to an average of $981 per lot in the year leading up to June 2025. This increment is notably lower than the 14% surge observed in house insurance premiums during the same period. - read more
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| Consumer Advocates Push for Ban on Strata Insurance Commissions in NSW Wed, 19 Nov: Consumer advocacy groups, including the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL) and the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), are urging the New South Wales (NSW) Government to implement a ban on commissions related to strata insurance. They argue that such commissions create conflicts of interest and compromise transparency within the strata management sector. - read more
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| CBA's Q1 2025 Profit: A Delicate Balance Between Growth and Margin Pressures Tue, 18 Nov: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest bank by market value, has reported a modest increase in its first-quarter cash profit for 2025. This uptick is primarily attributed to robust growth in home loans and household deposits. The unaudited cash profit stands at approximately A$2.6 billion, marking a 1% rise from the previous two-quarter average and a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. - read more
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| Major Banks Rethink Mortgage Strategies Amid Profit Margin Squeeze Tue, 18 Nov: Australia's leading banks—Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB), and ANZ—are actively reducing their dependence on mortgage brokers. This strategic shift aims to bolster profit margins that have been under pressure due to lower interest rates, rising operational costs, and intense market competition. - read more
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| Renewed Optimism: Australian Consumer Confidence on the Rise Tue, 18 Nov: In November 2025, Australian consumer sentiment has turned optimistic for the first time since early 2022, marking a significant shift in public economic perception. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey indicates a 12.8% increase in the consumer sentiment index, reaching 103.8. A reading above 100 suggests that more consumers are optimistic than pessimistic. - read more
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| ASIC's Findings on Car Finance: High Fees and Early Defaults Tue, 18 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
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| Economic Pressures Drive Australians Towards Premium Used Cars Tue, 18 Nov: As Australians grapple with escalating living expenses, a notable shift is occurring in the automotive market. Consumers are increasingly turning to premium used vehicles as a cost-effective alternative to new car purchases. - read more
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| Extended Research Periods Mark Australian Car Buying Trends Tue, 18 Nov: The Australian car market, recognized as one of the most competitive globally, is witnessing a trend where consumers are dedicating extended periods to research before finalizing their vehicle purchases. On average, Australians now spend approximately 2.8 months evaluating options before making a decision. - read more
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| Government Implements 20% Reduction in Student Loans to Alleviate Living Costs Mon, 17 Nov: In a significant move to address the rising cost of living and intergenerational inequality, the Australian government has enacted legislation reducing student loans by 20%. This policy change, effective from June 1, 2025, results in over A$16 billion in debt relief for approximately 3 million Australians. For graduates with an average loan balance of A$27,600, this equates to a reduction of A$5,520. - read more
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| Westpac's RAMS Financial Group Penalized A$20 Million for Home Loan Misconduct Mon, 17 Nov: In a landmark ruling, Australia's Federal Court has imposed a A$20 million fine on RAMS Financial Group, a subsidiary of Westpac, for serious misconduct in its home loan practices. Between June 2019 and April 2023, RAMS engaged in activities such as using falsified payslips to approve loans, dealing with unlicensed mortgage referrers, and failing to maintain proper oversight. - read more
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| ANZ Group Reports Positive Growth in Deposits and Loans for Q3 2025 Mon, 17 Nov: In its third-quarter update for 2025, ANZ Group, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market value, reported a significant rise in customer deposits and net loans and advances. Customer deposits increased by A$19 billion, while net loans and advances saw a 2% uptick. This growth is attributed to the expansion of the bank's home lending business within the domestic retail division. - read more
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