| Australian Business Lending Sees Significant Growth in June 2025 Fri, 30 Jan: In June 2025, Australian business lending experienced a notable increase, with loans to non-financial businesses reaching $1.14 trillion, marking a 9.2% year-on-year growth. This expansion significantly outpaced the 5.6% growth observed in housing loans, which totaled $2.34 trillion during the same period. The data, released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), highlights a renewed appetite for corporate borrowing and investment. - read more
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| Japanese Banks SMBC and MUFG Propel Growth in Australian Business Lending Fri, 30 Jan: In July 2025, Australia's top 10 authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) reported a combined business loan book of $925 billion. Notably, Japanese banking giants Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) emerged as significant contributors to this growth, outpacing traditional Australian lenders in percentage growth rates. - read more
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| AFCA Issues Warning to SMEs on Unregulated Lenders Fri, 30 Jan: In November 2025, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) issued a cautionary statement to small businesses regarding the risks associated with engaging unregulated lenders. This warning comes in response to a notable increase in complaints that AFCA cannot address due to the lenders' non-membership status. - read more
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| Multiple Caravan Manufacturers Collapse in Australia Fri, 30 Jan: The Australian caravan industry is experiencing a period of significant upheaval, with several manufacturers collapsing in recent years. The most recent and notable among these is the luxury caravan manufacturer Zone RV, which entered voluntary administration in December 2025, leaving creditors owed approximately $40 million. - read more
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| Zone RV Director Under Investigation for Fraud Fri, 30 Jan: In the wake of luxury caravan manufacturer Zone RV's collapse, authorities have launched an investigation into fraud allegations against the company's director, David Biggar. The Sunshine Coast-based company entered voluntary administration in December 2025, owing creditors approximately $42 million. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Under Fire for Steep Premium Increases Fri, 30 Jan: In recent times, Australian insurance companies have come under intense scrutiny due to substantial increases in premiums, even as they report record profits. This trend has raised concerns among consumers and policymakers alike, prompting calls for enhanced transparency and competition within the industry. - read more
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| Rising Insurance Costs in Northern Australia Despite Reinsurance Efforts Fri, 30 Jan: Homeowners in Northern Australia are confronting significant increases in insurance premiums, even after the implementation of the federal government's cyclone reinsurance pool aimed at reducing costs in cyclone-prone regions. This development raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the ongoing challenges in making insurance affordable for residents in high-risk areas. - read more
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| Lack of Transparency in Insurance Premium Increases Concerns Consumers Fri, 30 Jan: Australian consumers are increasingly facing substantial hikes in their insurance premiums, often with little to no explanation from their providers. This lack of transparency has led to growing frustration and calls for greater accountability within the insurance industry. - read more
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| AIA Australia's New Partnerships to Encourage Cycling Among Members Fri, 30 Jan: AIA Australia, a prominent life, health, and wellbeing insurer, has announced strategic partnerships with global fitness company Peloton and premium cycling brand Specialized. These collaborations aim to motivate AIA Vitality members to adopt more active lifestyles by providing significant discounts on cycling equipment. - read more
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| Australian Mortgage Market Hits Record $2.41 Trillion Thu, 29 Jan: The Australian mortgage market has reached a new milestone, with the total value of residential mortgages climbing to $2.41 trillion in November 2025. This growth is largely attributed to escalating property prices and a surge in lending activity. - read more
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| Housing Expenses Lead Australians' Financial Worries in 2026 Thu, 29 Jan: As Australians step into 2026, housing costs have emerged as the foremost financial concern, overshadowing other cost-of-living pressures. The latest Canstar Consumer Pulse Report reveals that 22% of respondents identified mortgage and rent expenses as their primary financial stressor, more than doubling the figure from five years ago. - read more
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| NAB Raises Fixed Mortgage Rates in Response to Expected Cash Rate Hikes Thu, 29 Jan: National Australia Bank (NAB) has recently increased its fixed mortgage rates by up to 0.40 percentage points, signaling expectations of forthcoming cash rate hikes in 2026. This move aligns with actions taken by other major lenders, reflecting a broader anticipation of rising interest rates. - read more
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| New Initiative Makes Electric Vehicles More Affordable for Essential Workers Thu, 29 Jan: In a significant move towards promoting sustainable transportation, essential workers and individuals earning below $100,000 annually in Australia now have access to more affordable electric vehicle (EV) loans. This initiative is part of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's (CEFC) collaboration with CommBank's EV Access Program, which has allocated $150 million to support discounted loan rates for new and used EVs priced up to $55,000, as well as EV home charging equipment. - read more
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| Bupa's Strategic Expansion into Mental Health Services Thu, 29 Jan: Bupa, a leading health insurer in Australia, has unveiled plans to significantly enhance mental health services by establishing a network of clinics named Mindplace. This initiative aims to open 60 clinics nationwide by 2027, aligning closely with the government's objective of operating 61 walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres by mid-2026. - read more
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| Federal Support Secures Cohealth's GP Services Amid Financial Strain Thu, 29 Jan: In response to financial challenges faced by Cohealth, a non-profit community health service, the federal government has allocated $1.5 million to maintain its GP services in Melbourne's inner north and west. This funding ensures that clinics in Collingwood, Fitzroy, and Kensington will remain operational until 31 July 2026, providing essential care to approximately 12,500 patients who were at risk of losing access to their GPs. - read more
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| Rising Out-of-Pocket Costs Challenge Australia's Universal Healthcare Thu, 29 Jan: Patients Australia, in collaboration with La Trobe University, has released the 2025 Patient View Report, shedding light on the increasing financial burden faced by Australians seeking healthcare services. The report indicates that 62% of patients incur out-of-pocket expenses when visiting their GP, with nearly half of these individuals paying an average gap fee of $51 or more. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Adapt Investment Strategies Amid Geopolitical and Economic Changes Thu, 29 Jan: Australian insurers are actively revising their investment portfolios in response to evolving geopolitical events and a stabilizing economic environment. A recent report by Janus Henderson Investors reveals that 47% of insurers plan to increase their investment portfolio risk in the next 12 months, with a significant focus on private markets. - read more
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| Mandatory Professional Indemnity Insurance for NSW Builders by 2026 Thu, 29 Jan: Registered building practitioners in New South Wales are facing a critical deadline to secure professional indemnity (PI) insurance by July 1, 2026, in accordance with the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2021. This legislation, which originally set a 2025 enforcement date, has been extended by 12 months to allow the industry additional time for preparation. - read more
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| ICA Calls for Comprehensive Reforms in Queensland's Insurance and Building Sectors Thu, 29 Jan: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has recently submitted a series of recommendations to the Queensland Productivity Commission, aiming to reform the state's construction and insurance sectors. These proposals are designed to enhance the resilience of the built environment and improve the affordability of insurance for Queensland residents. - read more
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| Rising Mental Health Claims Impact Construction Insurance Costs Thu, 29 Jan: Australia's construction industry is facing a significant challenge as mental health claims among workers continue to rise, leading to increased insurance costs and complex risk management issues. Recent data indicates that approximately 20% of construction workers have experienced mental health conditions, highlighting the urgency for industry stakeholders to address this growing concern. - read more
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| Introducing 'Wealth': The Australian's New Personal Finance Hub Wed, 28 Jan: The Australian has unveiled 'Wealth', a dedicated digital-first section designed to assist Australians in making informed financial decisions. This initiative reflects the publication's commitment to providing comprehensive coverage on personal finance topics, including investment strategies, superannuation, retirement planning, and property investment. - read more
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| Beware: Scammers Posing as ASIC to Extract Payments Wed, 28 Jan: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a warning to the public regarding a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate the commission. These scammers are contacting individuals via emails and text messages, falsely claiming that a payment is required to release funds or assets. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
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| Australian ETF Market Achieves Record $309.3 Billion Valuation Wed, 28 Jan: Australia's exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry has experienced significant growth, increasing by $63 billion since the start of the year to reach a total valuation of $309.3 billion by the end of September 2025. This milestone reflects the growing popularity of ETFs among Australian investors seeking diversified and cost-effective investment options. - read more
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| Crusader Caravans Teams Up with BIG4 Holiday Parks to Elevate Your Caravanning Journey Wed, 28 Jan: In an exciting development for Australian caravan enthusiasts, Crusader Caravans has announced a strategic partnership with BIG4 Holiday Parks. This collaboration aims to provide new caravan owners with a suite of exclusive benefits, enriching their travel experiences across the country. - read more
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| Australian Caravan Holiday Parks Set New Records in Occupancy Rates Wed, 28 Jan: Recent data reveals that Australian caravan holiday parks have achieved record-high occupancy rates, underscoring the growing appeal of caravanning among Australians. This surge is attributed to successful promotional campaigns and an increasing desire for domestic travel experiences. - read more
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