| TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Policies Wed, 11 Feb: 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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| AFCA's Ruling: Home-Based Waxing Salon Deemed a Business Wed, 11 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) recently ruled that a home-based waxing salon constitutes a business, not merely a hobby. This decision has significant implications for beauticians managing home-based operations, particularly concerning insurance disclosures and compliance. - read more
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| Insurers Push for Overhaul of Civil Liability Laws Amid Rising Premiums Wed, 11 Feb: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has recently called for comprehensive reforms to state and territory civil liability laws, citing significant increases in public liability insurance premiums. This development is particularly relevant for beauticians and small business owners in the beauty industry, who are experiencing escalating insurance costs. - read more
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| Cosmetic Injectables Industry Booms Amid Safety Concerns Wed, 11 Feb: The cosmetic injectables industry in Australia has experienced significant growth, with the market valued at $4.1 billion in 2023 and projected to grow by 19.3% annually until 2030. This surge reflects increasing consumer demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. - read more
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| Escalating Insurance Costs Pose Challenges for Small Builders Wed, 11 Feb: Recent findings from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) reveal that a significant majority of small and medium-sized builders in Australia are grappling with the escalating costs of insurance premiums. In a comprehensive survey, 72% of respondents identified rising insurance expenses as the primary pressure point affecting their businesses. This concern surpasses other operational challenges such as planning approvals, skilled labour shortages, and compliance with building codes. - read more
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| Australian Home Prices Hit Record Highs Following Rate Reduction Wed, 11 Feb: In March 2025, Australia's housing market experienced a significant milestone, with national home prices reaching a new peak. This surge was largely influenced by the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to cut interest rates in February, which reignited buyer demand across the country. - read more
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| CommBank Expands Green Loan Options for Sustainable Homes Tue, 10 Feb: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability by expanding its Green Home Offer through a renewed partnership with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). This collaboration introduces enhanced financial incentives for homeowners aiming to improve their property's energy efficiency. - read more
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| ASIC Cracks Down on Unlicensed Financial Influencers Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has intensified its efforts to regulate financial content on social media by issuing warning notices to 18 'finfluencers'—individuals who use social media platforms to discuss financial products and investments. These actions are part of a coordinated international initiative targeting unlicensed promotion of high-risk financial products. - read more
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| Virgin Australia Launches In-Cabin Flights for Pets Tue, 10 Feb: Virgin Australia has unveiled its 'Pets in Cabin' service, a pioneering initiative that allows passengers to travel with their pets in the aircraft cabin on select domestic routes. This service caters to Australia's substantial pet-owning population, offering a more comfortable and convenient travel option for both pets and their owners. - read more
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| Honda Leads Australian Motorcycle Sales with 21,901 Units in 2025 Tue, 10 Feb: Honda Australia has emerged as the leading motorcycle brand in 2025, achieving a remarkable 10% increase in sales over the previous year. The company sold a total of 21,901 motorcycles, solidifying its position at the forefront of the Australian market. - read more
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| Record Attendance at 2025 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix Energizes Phillip Island Tue, 10 Feb: The 2025 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, attracted approximately 91,245 visitors, marking the highest attendance since 2012. This surge in spectators provided a substantial economic boost to the Phillip Island region, benefiting local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. - read more
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| ASIC Raises Concerns Over Payday Lenders' Compliance with Consumer Protection Laws Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently highlighted significant concerns regarding the practices of certain payday lenders. A comprehensive review conducted by ASIC suggests that some providers of small amount credit contracts (SACCs) may be engaging in activities that contravene consumer protection laws. - read more
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| So Money Launches Tailored Lending Solutions for Self-Employed and SMEs Tue, 10 Feb: Non-bank lender So Money is expanding its services to cater to Australia's burgeoning small business sector by introducing new lending solutions specifically designed for self-employed borrowers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This strategic move aims to simplify the income verification process and provide more flexible financing options to a traditionally underserved market. - read more
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| Strengthening Agricultural Insurance: Rural Affinity and Munich Re's Renewed Partnership Tue, 10 Feb: Rural Affinity has renewed its partnership with Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets under a new five-year agreement, continuing a collaboration that began in 2006. This renewed alliance aims to support Rural Affinity's efforts to expand its agricultural insurance offerings across Australia and introduce new products leveraging technology and innovation. - read more
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| Australian Mortgage Market Reaches Record $2.41 Trillion Tue, 10 Feb: In November 2025, Australia's mortgage market achieved a new milestone, with the total value of residential mortgages reaching $2.41 trillion. This record-breaking figure reflects a 0.67% increase from the previous month and a 6.36% rise over the past year, as reported by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). - read more
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| Australian Homeowners Embrace Refinancing Amid Rate Cuts Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian mortgage market has witnessed a significant surge in refinancing activity, with nearly 100,000 loans refinanced in the June 2025 quarter. This marks the highest level since September 2023 and reflects homeowners' proactive responses to recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). - read more
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| Major Australian Lenders Tighten Policies on Trust and Company Lending Tue, 10 Feb: In a significant shift within Australia's financial sector, major lenders Macquarie Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) have recently implemented stricter policies regarding lending to trusts and companies. These changes reflect a broader trend towards more cautious lending practices in response to regulatory concerns and market dynamics. - read more
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| RBA Reports Significant Surge in Business and Home Lending Tue, 10 Feb: Recent data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) indicates a notable acceleration in both business and home lending, challenging earlier predictions of a potential slowdown. As of December 2024, business credit growth reached 8.9%, marking the highest rate since May 2023. Similarly, investor housing credit surged to 5.1%, achieving its highest rate since December 2022. - read more
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| Renown Lending Boosts SME Funding Pool to $400 Million Tue, 10 Feb: In a significant move to bolster support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, Renown Lending has announced an expansion of its funding pool from $250 million to $400 million. This substantial increase aims to provide fast and flexible financing solutions to businesses nationwide, addressing the growing demand for accessible funding options. - read more
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| MotorCycle Holdings Expands National Presence with Strategic Acquisition Tue, 10 Feb: MotorCycle Holdings Limited (MCH) has significantly expanded its national footprint by acquiring select dealership and eCommerce assets from the Peter Stevens and Harley-Heaven networks. This strategic move enhances MCH's presence across four Australian states and introduces new product categories to its portfolio. - read more
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| AFCA Mandates Insurer Payout for Engine Overheating Incident Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a truck owner whose insurance claim was initially denied following an engine overheating incident. This decision underscores the complexities surrounding insurance claims related to driver negligence and mechanical failures. - read more
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| AFCA Supports Insurer in Truck Theft Claim Denial Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently upheld an insurer's decision to deny a truck theft claim, citing misrepresentation of the insured's insurance history. This ruling highlights the critical importance of accurate disclosure when obtaining insurance coverage. - read more
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| AFCA Sides with Freight Company in Dangerous Goods Disclosure Case Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a freight company in a dispute over the disclosure of transporting dangerous goods. This decision provides valuable insights into the obligations of transport companies regarding insurance disclosures. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Falling Behind in Risk Preparedness Tue, 10 Feb: Recent findings from PwC's Insurance Banana Skins Survey highlight a concerning trend: Australian insurers are trailing their global counterparts in risk preparedness. The survey, which gathered insights from 698 insurance executives across 42 territories, indicates that Australian insurers scored 6.6% lower on the Preparedness Index compared to the global average. - read more
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| Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Experience Significant Decline Tue, 10 Feb: According to the latest Global Insurance Market Index by Marsh, commercial insurance rates in the Australia-Pacific region fell by 8% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This marks the most significant decline globally, surpassing reductions in other regions such as the UK (5%) and Asia (3%). - read more
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