News image: Why Boat Buyers Should Look Beyond the Headline Rate Why Boat Buyers Should Look Beyond the Headline Rate
Wed, 22 Jul: Recent boat loan comparison activity across the Australian personal lending market reinforces a practical message for anyone planning to buy a vessel: the advertised interest rate is only one part of the cost of getting on the water. With lenders continuing to price loans according to credit profile, loan structure, asset age and repayment term, borrowers may see meaningful differences between products that appear similar at first glance. - read more
News image: Why the RBA’s Latest Signals Matter for Your Next Loan Why the RBA’s Latest Signals Matter for Your Next Loan
Wed, 22 Jul: The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest policy commentary has reinforced a message that borrowers cannot afford to ignore: interest rate relief is not something to build a budget around too early. While inflation has eased from its peak, the central bank remains alert to price pressures, wage growth, productivity challenges and the possibility that demand may prove more resilient than expected. - read more
News image: Why rural heavy vehicle safety matters for insurance Why rural heavy vehicle safety matters for insurance
Wed, 22 Jul: The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s latest focus on agricultural heavy vehicle safety is a timely reminder for farm, livestock, grain and regional freight operators: safety standards are not just a compliance issue. They can also shape claims outcomes, business interruption, liability exposure and future access to affordable truck insurance. - read more
News image: Why Lithium Battery Fire Risk Matters for Tradies Why Lithium Battery Fire Risk Matters for Tradies
Wed, 22 Jul: Lithium-ion batteries are now part of everyday trade work. They power cordless tools, site lighting, testing equipment, drones, portable power stations and, for some electricians and solar installers, the systems being installed for customers. A fresh insurance industry analysis has again highlighted why this technology is not just a convenience issue, but a serious risk management issue for businesses. - read more
News image: Why the Simple Advice Push Matters for Your Cover Why the Simple Advice Push Matters for Your Cover
Wed, 22 Jul: Australia’s life insurance sector has renewed its push for consumers to receive simpler help with the cover they already hold, particularly through superannuation. The Council of Australian Life Insurers has again argued that many people need clearer, more accessible guidance about insurance inside super, including death, disability and, where available, income protection insurance. - read more
News image: Sydney Boat Show Puts Boat Buyers Back in Planning Mode Sydney Boat Show Puts Boat Buyers Back in Planning Mode
Wed, 22 Jul: The 2026 Sydney Boat Show is shaping up as a timely checkpoint for Australians thinking about a first boat, an upgrade or a move into a more capable family, fishing or cruising vessel. Returning to Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park from 30 July to 2 August, the event is expected to bring together more than 120 local and international exhibitors, hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across boating, fishing, watersports and outdoor lifestyle categories. - read more
News image: Rate Relief May Be Coming, But Borrowers Face a Longer Wait Rate Relief May Be Coming, But Borrowers Face a Longer Wait
Wed, 22 Jul: Australian mortgage holders have been given a cautious glimpse of future relief, with Westpac shifting its long-range interest rate forecast and bringing its expected timing for cuts forward to August 2027. That move means all four major banks now broadly expect borrowers to see lower rates from next year, rather than waiting until 2028. - read more
News image: Why July’s Rate Tables Matter for Borrowers Why July’s Rate Tables Matter for Borrowers
Wed, 22 Jul: Fresh July rate tables from the Australian lending market are a timely reminder that the cheapest-looking loan is not always the strongest financial outcome. As at 21 July 2026, some advertised owner-occupier home loan rates were sitting in the mid-five per cent range, with selected variable, fixed, interest-only, construction and green loan products all competing for attention. For borrowers, the message is clear: lenders are still fighting for quality applicants, but the fine print matters. - read more
News image: Motorbike Loan Rates Are in Focus for Australian Riders Motorbike Loan Rates Are in Focus for Australian Riders
Wed, 22 Jul: Australian riders shopping for a new or used motorcycle have fresh reason to look closely at their finance options, with Canstar’s latest motorcycle loan comparison updated on 21 July 2026 highlighting a wide spread of advertised rates, comparison rates, fees and eligibility settings across the personal loan market. - read more
News image: AFCA Decision Highlights Limits on Recovering Income Protection Payments AFCA Decision Highlights Limits on Recovering Income Protection Payments
Wed, 22 Jul: A new Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has offered an important reminder for anyone relying on income protection insurance through work or super: once benefits have been paid, an insurer generally needs a strong and clearly evidenced basis before asking for that money back. - read more
News image: Cleaner Truck Tech Is Expanding the Finance Conversation Cleaner Truck Tech Is Expanding the Finance Conversation
Wed, 22 Jul: The latest low-emission truck developments from overseas show that the next buying cycle will not be a simple choice between diesel and electric. For Australian operators, the more practical question is becoming: which technology fits the work, the route and the cash flow? - read more
News image: What Australia’s Latest Marine Incident Data Means for Boat Cover What Australia’s Latest Marine Incident Data Means for Boat Cover
Wed, 22 Jul: Australia’s latest marine incident figures are a timely reminder that good boating is not only about enjoying time on the water; it is also about managing risk before something goes wrong. The 2025 Marine Incident Annual Report, highlighted by Marine Business News, examined incidents involving domestic commercial vessels, foreign-flagged vessels and regulated Australian vessels operating in Australian waters. - read more
News image: Why SMEs should double-check AI insurance advice Why SMEs should double-check AI insurance advice
Wed, 22 Jul: Australian businesses are increasingly using AI tools to research products, shortlist providers and understand policy options. That convenience now comes with a clear warning for small business owners: not every insurance answer surfaced by AI search is coming from a licensed, accountable or locally relevant source. - read more
News image: Higher ASIC Levies Signal More Scrutiny for Australia’s Insurance Sector Higher ASIC Levies Signal More Scrutiny for Australia’s Insurance Sector
Wed, 22 Jul: Australia’s insurance sector is facing a larger contribution to the cost of financial regulation, with ASIC’s 2025–26 industry funding estimates putting insurance levies at $23.838 million. That is a sizeable rise from the $17.608 million levied in 2024–25 and reflects a broader increase in the regulator’s expected cost recovery across the financial system. - read more
News image: Why Beauty Businesses Should Recheck Their Insurance Now Why Beauty Businesses Should Recheck Their Insurance Now
Wed, 22 Jul: Fresh SME insurance reporting has put underinsurance back in the spotlight, with new national survey data indicating that many Australian small businesses are still not reviewing their cover as carefully as their risks are changing. For beauty salon owners, sole traders and mobile beauticians, the message is practical rather than alarming: a policy that suited the business a few years ago may no longer match today’s equipment values, treatment mix, stock levels or operating costs. - read more
News image: What SA’s Workers’ Comp Claims Change Means for Trade Businesses What SA’s Workers’ Comp Claims Change Means for Trade Businesses
Wed, 22 Jul: South Australian trade businesses should keep an eye on a quiet but important workers’ compensation development. ReturnToWorkSA has begun a procurement process for claims management services, with the current long-running arrangements involving EML and Gallagher Bassett due to end before new services commence from 1 July 2027. - read more
News image: Why Cheaper Building Cost Growth May Not Mean Cheaper First Homes Why Cheaper Building Cost Growth May Not Mean Cheaper First Homes
Wed, 22 Jul: Fresh housing market analysis points to a frustrating reality for Australians hoping to build their first home: construction cost growth is cooling, but the total price of getting into a new property is not necessarily becoming easier to manage. - read more
News image: Why CALI’s Advice Push Matters for Workplace Life Cover Why CALI’s Advice Push Matters for Workplace Life Cover
Wed, 22 Jul: The Council of Australian Life Insurers has renewed its call for Australians to receive simpler guidance about the life insurance they hold through superannuation, sharpening attention on a long-running problem for employers: many workers have cover, but do not clearly understand what it does, when it applies, or whether it remains suitable as their circumstances change. - read more
News image: Why CALI’s Simple Advice Push Matters for Business Owners Why CALI’s Simple Advice Push Matters for Business Owners
Wed, 22 Jul: The Council of Australian Life Insurers has renewed its push for Australians to receive simpler guidance about life insurance held through superannuation, arguing that many people do not fully understand the cover already attached to their super accounts. For business owners, this is more than a personal finance issue. It is a reminder that default or group cover may sit quietly in the background while the real financial risks of ownership, debt, succession and key-person dependency remain unchecked. - read more
News image: New Regulator Expectations Put Insurance Affordability Back in Focus New Regulator Expectations Put Insurance Affordability Back in Focus
Wed, 22 Jul: The Federal Government’s updated expectations for APRA and ASIC have introduced a fresh regulatory backdrop for Australia’s life insurance sector, with a stronger emphasis on productivity, innovation, competition and proportionate oversight. Released on 16 July 2026, the statements do not remove the regulators’ independence, but they do clarify how the Government wants financial regulation to support a stable, competitive and more responsive market. - read more
News image: Why Longer Lives May Change the Way Businesses Think About Keyman Cover Why Longer Lives May Change the Way Businesses Think About Keyman Cover
Wed, 22 Jul: Australians are living longer, but new industry research suggests those extra years are not always being lived in good health. Zurich’s latest chronic care analysis ranked Australia strongly for health system performance and reduced mortality, yet pointed to a rising morbidity challenge: more people are living with long-term illnesses that can affect work, income and financial resilience. - read more
News image: Why Life Insurance Advice Reform Matters for Australians Why Life Insurance Advice Reform Matters for Australians
Wed, 22 Jul: A fresh industry push for financial advice reform is putting a spotlight on a problem many Australians quietly face: having life insurance in place, often through superannuation, but not fully understanding what it covers, when it pays, or whether it still matches their circumstances. - read more
News image: Australians Urged to Check Life Insurance Held Through Super Australians Urged to Check Life Insurance Held Through Super
Wed, 22 Jul: New industry research has put a sharp focus on one of the most common but least understood forms of financial protection in Australia: life insurance held through superannuation. - read more
News image: RIC Loan Rate Rise Adds a Fresh Planning Point for Farm Borrowers RIC Loan Rate Rise Adds a Fresh Planning Point for Farm Borrowers
Wed, 22 Jul: The Regional Investment Corporation’s latest rate move is a timely reminder that farm borrowing costs can shift even when a loan is designed to provide concessional support. From 1 August 2026, the variable interest rate applying to RIC loans is set to rise from 5.18 per cent to 5.71 per cent, ending a two-year period without an increase. - read more
News image: What ASIC’s Private Credit Alarm Means for Small Borrowers What ASIC’s Private Credit Alarm Means for Small Borrowers
Tue, 21 Jul: Australia’s corporate regulator has renewed attention on private credit, warning that a fast-growing part of the lending market is now facing a tougher test. Private credit generally refers to loans arranged outside the traditional banking system, often through funds, investment managers or specialist lenders. While this may sound distant from everyday small loans, the health of non-bank credit can still influence how finance is priced, assessed and made available. - read more
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