| Understanding ASIC's 2025 Car Finance Review and Its Impact on Borrowers Wed, 25 Mar: In November 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, revealing significant shortcomings in lending practices. This examination was prompted by a surge in consumer complaints and reports from advocacy groups concerning excessive fees and high default rates among car loan borrowers. - read more
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| March 2026 Sees Increase in Australian Car Loan Interest Rates Wed, 25 Mar: As of March 2026, Australian car loan interest rates have experienced an upward trend, with the average rate reaching 7.73% per annum. This marks a 0.48% increase from the previous month, reflecting broader economic shifts and monetary policy adjustments. - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Transfers $1.5 Billion Car Loan Portfolio to Allied Credit Wed, 25 Mar: In July 2025, Macquarie Bank announced the sale of a $1.5 billion car loan portfolio to Allied Credit, a prominent independent financier in Australia. This transaction involves over 50,000 car loans and is expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2025. - read more
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| Rate Money Introduces Competitive Rates and Refinance Options for Self-Employed Australians Wed, 25 Mar: In a financial landscape where many lenders are raising variable interest rates by 25 basis points in response to the Reserve Bank of Australia's recent rate hikes, Rate Money has taken a different approach. The non-bank lender, specialising in loans for self-employed individuals, has opted to increase their variable rates by only 15 to 20 basis points on select loan products. This decision aims to alleviate financial pressure on borrowers facing rising living costs and inflation. - read more
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| Australian Personal Loan Applications See Significant Uptick Wed, 25 Mar: Recent data from Equifax's Consumer Market Pulse for Q4 2025 reveals a notable increase in personal loan applications across Australia. The report indicates an 8.9% rise in personal loan demand compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on unsecured credit among consumers. - read more
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| Rising Personal Insolvencies in Australia Linked to Excessive Borrowing Wed, 25 Mar: The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) has reported a 5.3% annual increase in personal insolvencies, marking the third consecutive year of growth in this area. This trend highlights the mounting financial strain faced by many Australians, with excessive borrowing identified as the primary cause. - read more
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| Unprecedented Rise in Financial Complaints Across Australia in 2025 Wed, 25 Mar: In 2025, Australia witnessed a significant escalation in financial complaints, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) receiving a record 111,373 grievances. This figure represents a 14% increase compared to 2024, underscoring a growing wave of consumer dissatisfaction within the financial sector. - read more
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| RBA Holds Cash Rate at 3.6% in Response to Inflationary Pressures Wed, 25 Mar: In its March 2026 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to maintain the official cash rate at 3.6%, a move aimed at addressing persistent inflationary pressures within the economy. This decision aligns with the expectations of major financial institutions and reflects the central bank's cautious approach to monetary policy. - read more
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| First Decline in Australian Household Spending in 18 Months Wed, 25 Mar: Recent data indicates a decline in Australian household spending, marking the first monthly decrease in 18 months. This downturn raises concerns about the health of the consumer economy and potential challenges ahead. - read more
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| Avan & Golf Caravans Forge Multi-Year Partnership with Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo Wed, 25 Mar: In a significant development for Australia's caravan industry, Avan & Golf Caravans have entered into a multi-year national partnership with the Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo. This collaboration is set to enhance the profile and reach of caravan and outdoor lifestyle events across the country. - read more
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| South Australia's Premier Caravan and Camping Event Returns in 2026 Wed, 25 Mar: South Australians are embracing a shift towards local adventures and road trips, and the upcoming Caravan, Camping & Outdoor Show at the Adelaide Showground is set to cater to this growing trend. Scheduled from 25 February to 1 March 2026, this event stands as the state's official industry gathering, bringing together a vast array of resources for road trip enthusiasts. - read more
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| Rise of Chinese-Built Caravans in the Australian Market Wed, 25 Mar: The Australian caravan market is experiencing a notable shift as Chinese-built caravans gain a stronger foothold, coinciding with a reported downturn in sales among local manufacturers. This trend is reshaping the landscape of the industry and presents both challenges and opportunities for consumers and manufacturers alike. - read more
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| Carconnect's Administration: Impact on Australian Car Buyers Wed, 25 Mar: In early March 2026, Australian car-buying platform Carconnect entered voluntary administration, leaving approximately 200 customers without the vehicles they had paid for. This unexpected development has raised significant concerns about consumer protection within the online car purchasing sector. - read more
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| ASIC's Findings Highlight Urgent Need for Reform in Car Finance Lending Practices Wed, 25 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant concerns regarding lending practices. This examination has highlighted issues such as exorbitant establishment fees and a troubling rate of early loan defaults, raising questions about the adequacy of current lending standards. - read more
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| Australian Car Buyers Postpone Finance Decisions Amid Market Uncertainty Wed, 25 Mar: Recent research from carsales has revealed a notable shift in the timing of car finance decisions among Australian buyers. The study indicates that only 71% of buyers have decided how they will pay for their car before beginning their search, down from 77% in previous years. This trend suggests that more consumers are postponing financing decisions until later in the purchasing process. - read more
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| ASIC Calls for Improved Consumer Safeguards in Car Finance Sector Wed, 25 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that adversely affect consumers. This investigation was initiated in response to a surge in complaints regarding high costs associated with car financing. - read more
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| Australian Car Buyers Increasingly Postpone Finance Decisions Wed, 25 Mar: Recent research indicates a growing trend among Australian car buyers to delay decisions regarding vehicle financing. A study conducted by carsales reveals that only 71% of buyers have determined their financing method before commencing their vehicle search, a decrease from 77% in previous years. - read more
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| Macquarie Transfers $1.5 Billion Car Loan Portfolio to Allied Credit Wed, 25 Mar: In a significant development within the Australian financial sector, Macquarie Group's Banking and Financial Services division has agreed to sell a substantial portion of its car loan portfolio, valued at $1.5 billion, to Allied Credit. This transaction involves over 50,000 car loans and is expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2025. - read more
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| Promoting Safe and Responsible Boating: BIA's New Initiative Wed, 25 Mar: The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has unveiled the 'Responsible Boat Ownership' campaign, a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering safe and responsible boating practices among Australia's vast boating community. This campaign is a collaborative effort under the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG), bringing together maritime regulators and peak bodies from Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. - read more
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| Australian Boating Industry Maintains Strong Performance in 2025 Wed, 25 Mar: The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has published its State of the Industry Data Report for 2025, revealing a national turnover of $10.2 billion for the 2024-25 period, matching the previous record year. This stability underscores the resilience and sustained growth of Australia's marine sector. - read more
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| Enhancing Queensland's Marine Workforce: Government and BIA Collaboration Wed, 25 Mar: The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has announced a significant funding agreement with the Queensland Government to expand the Marine Jobs program, aiming to address critical skill shortages within the state's marine industry. Queensland, home to Australia's largest concentration of marine businesses, stands to benefit substantially from this initiative. - read more
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| Significant Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Wed, 25 Mar: In the final quarter of 2025, Australian commercial insurance rates experienced a substantial decline of 12%, marking the most significant drop among the eight regions monitored by Marsh Risk's Global Insurance Market Index. This trend reflects a broader pattern of decreasing rates that began in early 2024, with the Pacific region, predominantly Australia, leading the way. - read more
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| Human Factors Dominate Causes of Major Truck Crashes in Australia Wed, 25 Mar: The National Truck Accident Research Centre's 2025 Major Incident Investigation Report, supported by NTI, has identified human error as the predominant cause of major truck crashes in Australia. The report indicates that factors such as inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed account for a significant proportion of these incidents. - read more
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| ASIC Launches Review into Motor Insurance Pricing Practices Wed, 25 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated a comprehensive review into the accuracy and transparency of motor insurance pricing among major insurers, covering approximately two-thirds of the car insurance market. This investigation aims to ensure that insurers comply with legal disclosure requirements and provide clear explanations for premium calculations. - read more
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| KPMG Forecasts 7.7% Rise in Australian House Prices for 2026 Tue, 24 Mar: According to KPMG's latest Residential Property Outlook, Australian house prices are projected to increase by 7.7% in 2026. This forecast indicates a continuation of the strong momentum observed in the property market during the latter half of 2025, driven by government policies and inflationary pressures. - read more
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