| Allianz Partners Highlights the Risks of Travelling Uninsured Sun, 14 Dec: Recent research commissioned by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) Smartraveller program has unveiled a concerning trend: approximately 14% of Australian travellers embark on international journeys without any form of travel insurance. This statistic has prompted Allianz Partners to urge Australians to reconsider the importance of securing adequate coverage before travelling abroad. - read more
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| Surge in Medical Claims Among Australian Travellers Highlights Importance of Comprehensive Insurance Sun, 14 Dec: In 2024, medical incidents emerged as the leading cause of travel insurance claims among Australian travellers, accounting for more than 40% of all claims handled by nib Travel. This trend underscores the critical importance of securing comprehensive travel insurance to mitigate the financial risks associated with medical emergencies abroad. - read more
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| Rising Travel Insurance Claims Among Australians Visiting Bali Sun, 14 Dec: The allure of Bali continues to captivate Australian travellers, with a notable 43% increase in travel insurance policies purchased for the destination since the 2022/23 summer season. This surge has corresponded with a 50% rise in related insurance claims, now accounting for 16% of all claims submitted to Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) in 2024. - read more
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| QBE Insurance Faces Market Challenges with Slower Premium Growth Sun, 14 Dec: QBE Insurance Group, Australia's largest insurer by market value, recently experienced a significant decline in its share price, reaching a seven-month low. This downturn is primarily attributed to a slowdown in the company's premium rate growth during the third quarter of 2025. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Achieve Record Profits Amid Rising Premiums Sun, 14 Dec: Australia's insurance industry has reported an after-tax profit of $6.1 billion for the year 2024, a figure that is three times higher than the five-year average of $2 billion. This substantial increase is attributed to significant premium hikes and a relatively benign year for natural disasters. - read more
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| Consumers Left in the Dark Over Steep Insurance Premium Increases Sun, 14 Dec: Australian consumers are grappling with substantial increases in insurance premiums, often receiving little to no explanation for the hikes. This lack of transparency has led to growing concerns and calls for greater regulatory oversight in the insurance industry. - read more
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| ACCC Scrutinises IAG's Proposed Acquisition of RAC Insurance Sun, 14 Dec: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has expressed concerns regarding Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed A$1.35 billion acquisition of the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia's (RAC) insurance business. The ACCC warns that this deal could significantly reduce competition in Western Australia's motor and home insurance markets, potentially leading to higher premiums and diminished service quality for consumers. - read more
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| IAG Highlights Climate Change's Role in Rising Home Insurance Costs Sun, 14 Dec: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has highlighted the growing impact of climate change on home insurance premiums in Australia. The insurer reports that increasingly frequent and severe weather events are contributing to higher costs for homeowners seeking coverage. - read more
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| ASIC Takes Legal Action Against RACQ Insurance Over Misleading Premium Information Sun, 14 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced legal proceedings against RACQ Insurance, a subsidiary of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), alleging that the insurer misled over 570,000 customers between September 2019 and December 2024. The regulator claims that RACQ included inflated 'last period premium' amounts in renewal notices, potentially causing customers to pay more than necessary. - read more
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| Embracing AI: How Australian Restaurants Are Innovating Operations Sun, 14 Dec: In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Australian hospitality industry, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force. Recent data indicates that approximately 66% of restaurant operators in Australia perceive AI and automation as beneficial to their businesses. This growing optimism underscores a significant shift towards technological integration in the sector. - read more
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| Australian Hospitality Sector Faces Unprecedented Business Closures Sun, 14 Dec: The Australian hospitality industry is currently grappling with significant economic challenges, leading to an unprecedented rate of business closures. Recent data reveals that 9.4% of food service and hospitality businesses have ceased operations in the past year, marking a record high for the sector. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Embrace Parametric Solutions Amid Climate Challenges Sun, 14 Dec: As Australia faces escalating natural hazard risks due to climate change, the insurance industry is adopting innovative solutions to address these challenges. A notable development is the increasing adoption of parametric insurance, designed to provide faster payouts and address underinsurance issues. - read more
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| Steadfast Group Halts Trading Amid Strata Insurance Controversy Sun, 14 Dec: In September 2024, Steadfast Group, Australia's largest general insurance broker network, suspended trading on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) following serious allegations of misleading clients and failing to disclose commissions in its strata insurance operations. The company's share price plummeted by 6.14% to $5.96 after reports emerged suggesting that undisclosed financial arrangements between insurance companies, brokers, and strata managers were inflating insurance costs for property owners. - read more
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| Hanwha's Stake in Austal: Australia's Conditional Approval Sat, 13 Dec: In a significant development for Australia's shipbuilding industry, the Australian government has approved South Korean conglomerate Hanwha's proposal to increase its shareholding in Austal Limited from 9.9% to 19.9%. This decision comes with stringent conditions aimed at protecting national security interests. - read more
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| Yamaha Tops Australian Marine Market Searches Ahead of Summer Sat, 13 Dec: As Australia gears up for the summer season, Yamaha has solidified its position as the most-searched marine brand in the country. According to Retain Media's Q3 2025 Marine Market Brand Consideration Report, Yamaha holds an 8.4% share of search queries, maintaining its lead from the previous quarter. - read more
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| South Australia Invests in Advanced Coastal Research Vessel Sat, 13 Dec: The South Australian government has committed $44 million in the 2025–26 State Budget to fund a new state-of-the-art coastal research vessel. This 37.7-metre vessel is designed to support a wide range of marine research activities, including fisheries, aquaculture, climate science, and oceanography. - read more
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| AFCA Advises SMEs to Verify Lender Membership Sat, 13 Dec: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently highlighted a critical issue affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): the necessity of verifying a lender's membership status before securing business financing. This advisory comes in response to a significant number of complaints that AFCA is unable to address due to the lenders' non-membership status. - read more
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| Coalition Proposes Easier SME Loans Without Home Collateral Sat, 13 Dec: In a recent policy proposal, the Coalition has advocated for easing lending regulations to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in obtaining business loans without the necessity of using their homes as collateral. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the SME sector by addressing one of the significant barriers to accessing finance. - read more
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| ATO's Tax Penalty Reforms: What SMEs Need to Know Sat, 13 Dec: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia are facing imminent changes to tax penalty regulations that could significantly impact their financial obligations. Starting from July 1, 2025, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will implement reforms that render both the general interest charge (GIC) and the shortfall interest charge (SIC) non-deductible for tax purposes. - read more
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| APRA Implements Cap on High DTI Home Loans to Address Housing Market Concerns Sat, 13 Dec: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending. This measure applies to both owner-occupiers and investors, with the exception of new housing developments. - read more
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| CHU's 2025 State of the Strata Market Report: Key Insights for Property Owners Sat, 13 Dec: CHU, Australia's leading strata insurance underwriting agency, has released its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, providing a comprehensive analysis of current industry trends and challenges. The report indicates that strata insurance premiums have experienced a modest increase of 2.8% over the past year, rising from an average of $954 to $981 per lot annually. - read more
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| NSW Fair Trading Proposes New Powers to Ensure Strata Property Maintenance Sat, 13 Dec: The New South Wales (NSW) government has introduced a new tranche of strata reforms to parliament, aiming to enhance the maintenance and safety of apartment buildings across the state. A key component of these reforms is the proposal to grant NSW Fair Trading the authority to enter any apartment building without a warrant if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the owners corporation is failing to maintain common property adequately. - read more
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| APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans Fri, 12 Dec: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending. This measure applies to both owner-occupiers and investors, with an exemption for new housing developments. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank Highlights Concerns Over Surging Home Loan Demand Fri, 12 Dec: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender, has raised concerns about the current high demand for home loans, which is contributing to escalating property prices. CEO Matt Comyn acknowledged that while the bank has benefited from the surge in housing credit, such high levels are unsustainable and could undermine long-term financial stability, housing equality, and market accessibility. He suggested that a more moderate pace of credit growth would be beneficial. - read more
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| Black Friday Sales Lead to Surge in Credit Card Debt Among Australians Fri, 12 Dec: As Black Friday sales gain popularity in Australia, consumer advocates are raising concerns about the financial strain these events place on individuals and families. The allure of significant discounts and the social pressure to participate in these sales have led many Australians to increase their credit card debt, potentially exacerbating financial stress. - read more
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