| Australian Home Loans Hit Record High as Investor Activity Soars Sat, 03 Jan: In the third quarter of 2025, the Australian mortgage market experienced unprecedented growth, with new home loans totaling $191.1 billion. This marks an $8.3 billion increase from the previous quarter, setting a new record in the housing finance sector. - read more
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| Major Banks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates After RBA Holds Cash Rate Sat, 03 Jan: Following the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to maintain the cash rate at 3.60%, major banks have adjusted their fixed mortgage rates. Westpac has increased its fixed home loan rates by up to 35 basis points, with the lowest standard fixed rate now at 5.79% per annum. This marks a significant rise from 5.54% earlier in the week and 5.19% in early November. - read more
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| Australian Motorcycle Market Sees Modest Decline Amid Rising Scooter Popularity Sat, 03 Jan: The Australian motorcycle market has experienced a modest decline in sales during the first nine months of 2025, with a 2.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. According to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), a total of 63,988 motorcycles were sold between January and September 2025. - read more
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| Australian Super's Claim Delays Raise Concerns Among Members Sat, 03 Jan: Australian Super, one of the nation's largest superannuation funds, is facing criticism over significant delays in processing insurance claims, particularly those related to income protection and total and permanent disability (TPD). Members have reported prolonged waiting periods, leading to financial hardships and uncertainty. - read more
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| Club Marine Revamps Commercial Boat Insurance Policies Sat, 03 Jan: Club Marine, Australia's leading provider of recreational boat insurance, has announced significant enhancements to its commercial boat insurance offerings. This strategic move aims to better align commercial policies with the company's recreational insurance products, providing comprehensive coverage for vessels used in both business operations and occasional leisure activities. - read more
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| Marsh Secures Role in Royal Australian Navy's Maritime Insurance Program Sat, 03 Jan: Marsh, a leading global insurance broker and risk advisor, has been appointed by the Australian Government to oversee the insurance and risk advisory components of the Royal Australian Navy's Maritime Insurance Program (MIP). This program is integral to the Navy's extensive fleet expansion and infrastructure development initiatives. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Achieve Significant Profit Growth Amid Rising Premiums Sat, 03 Jan: Australia's insurance industry has reported an after-tax profit of $6.1 billion for 2024, a substantial increase from the five-year average of $2 billion, according to KPMG's annual review. This surge is attributed to premium hikes and a year with fewer significant weather events. - read more
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| Rising Insurance Risk Pressures Challenge Australian Businesses Sat, 03 Jan: Australian businesses are confronting heightened insurance risk pressures stemming from increased litigation, technological advancements, supply chain disruptions, catastrophic events, and geopolitical tensions. A recent report from Gallagher underscores the importance of risk insights and awareness for organizations preparing for insurance renewals. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Face Challenges in Cyber and AI Risk Preparedness Sat, 03 Jan: Recent findings from the PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey indicate that Australian insurers are trailing their global counterparts in preparedness for emerging risks, particularly in the realms of cyber threats and artificial intelligence (AI). This lag poses significant challenges as the industry confronts an increasingly complex risk landscape. - read more
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| AI and Machine Learning Revolutionise Australian Insurance Industry Sat, 03 Jan: Australia's insurance sector is undergoing a significant transformation as companies increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to enhance operations, improve customer service, and strengthen fraud detection capabilities. This shift comes in response to mounting regulatory pressures, escalating climate-related risks, and the need to modernise legacy systems. - read more
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| TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Fri, 02 Jan: In a strategic move to make life insurance more relevant to younger Australians, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection policies. This initiative allows advisers to offer clients enhanced value through a straightforward preventative health engagement. - read more
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| APRA Calls for Sustainable Reforms in Income Protection Insurance Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of income protection insurance, following significant losses within the industry. Over a five-year period, insurers have reported losses totaling $2.5 billion on this product. - read more
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| HCF Life Recognised for Excellence in Income Protection Insurance Fri, 02 Jan: HCF Life, part of Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund, has been honored with the 'Best for Income Protection Insurance (Direct)' award by WeMoney for the third consecutive year. This accolade underscores HCF Life's commitment to providing competitive and customer-focused insurance products. - read more
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| Significant Drop in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Fri, 02 Jan: In a notable development for Australian businesses, commercial insurance rates have experienced a significant decline. According to Marsh's Global Insurance Market Index, the Australia-Pacific market saw an 8% drop in commercial rates during the fourth quarter of 2024, marking the most substantial decrease globally. - read more
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| Rapid Growth of Australian Insurtech Sector Signals Industry Transformation Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian insurtech sector is experiencing rapid growth, introducing innovations that are set to transform the insurance landscape. A recent report titled 'Insurtech Down Under: Trends, Tech and Triumphs' highlights the sector's expansion and its potential to enhance efficiency, security, and customer engagement within the industry. - read more
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| IAG CEO Predicts Ongoing Insurance Premium Rises Fri, 02 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading insurer in Australia, has reported a significant 91% increase in net profit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year, reaching $778 million. This substantial profit growth is largely attributed to favourable weather conditions during the period. - read more
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| Climate Change's Impact on Home Insurance Costs Fri, 02 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has highlighted that climate change is playing a significant role in the rising costs of home insurance premiums across Australia. The insurer's recent report indicates that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events are elevating risks for homeowners, leading to higher insurance costs. - read more
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| Significant Insurance Premium Increases Reported by Choice Fri, 02 Jan: Consumer advocacy group Choice has released a report highlighting substantial increases in home and contents insurance premiums across Australia. The report indicates that some insurers have raised their rates by over 30% in the past year, significantly outpacing the average premium increase of 16%. - read more
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| First-Home Buyers Drive Surge in Affordable Housing Market Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian housing market is experiencing a significant shift, with first-home buyers increasingly entering the affordable housing sector. This surge is largely attributed to the government's expanded 5% deposit scheme, which has made homeownership more accessible to a broader demographic. - read more
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| Rentvesting: A Strategic Approach for First-Home Buyers Fri, 02 Jan: In the face of escalating property prices and intense competition, Australian first-home buyers are increasingly turning to 'rentvesting' as a viable strategy to enter the property market. This approach involves renting a residence in a preferred location while simultaneously purchasing an investment property in a more affordable area. - read more
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| Investor Activity Intensifies Competition for First-Home Buyers Fri, 02 Jan: The Australian housing market is witnessing a significant surge in property investor activity, leading to intensified competition for first-home buyers. Over the year leading up to June, property investors borrowed a record sum of nearly $130 billion to purchase homes, marking a substantial increase supported by recent interest rate cuts. - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Named Money Minder of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: In the 2025 Consumer Finance Awards, Macquarie Bank has been honoured as the Money Minder of the Year by Money magazine. This accolade highlights the bank's exceptional performance in managing Australians' savings and term deposits. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank Recognised as Business Bank of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: In the latest Consumer Finance Awards, Commonwealth Bank has been named Business Bank of the Year 2025 by Money magazine. This recognition reflects the bank's unwavering support for Australia's small and medium enterprises (SMEs). - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Honoured as Investment Property Lender of the Year 2025 Thu, 01 Jan: Macquarie Bank has been awarded the Investment Property Lender of the Year 2025 by Money magazine, acknowledging its significant role in supporting Australia's property investors. - read more
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| MotorCycle Holdings Reports Record-Breaking $650 Million Revenue in FY2025 Thu, 01 Jan: MotorCycle Holdings Limited (ASX: MTO), Australia's leading motorcycle retailer, has announced a record sales revenue of $650 million for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. This represents an 11.6% increase from the previous year, underscoring the company's robust growth and strategic initiatives. - read more
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