| ASIC Enhances Enforcement and Reviews AI in Financial Services Thu, 25 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has significantly intensified its regulatory activities, reporting a 50% increase in investigations and nearly a 20% rise in new civil enforcement proceedings. This escalation underscores ASIC's commitment to upholding market integrity and protecting consumers within the financial services sector. - read more
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| ANZ Bank Alerts Businesses to Rising Sophisticated Scams Thu, 25 Dec: ANZ Bank has issued a cautionary advisory to Australian businesses, highlighting a surge in sophisticated scams that exploit vulnerabilities in financial processes. The bank emphasizes the importance of heightened vigilance to safeguard against these evolving threats. - read more
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| Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Enhances Anti-Money Laundering Measures Thu, 25 Dec: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Australia's fifth-largest retail bank, is undertaking significant measures to strengthen its anti-money laundering (AML) safeguards following a comprehensive review that identified critical deficiencies. - read more
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| Surge in Mental Health Claims Challenges Australia's Income Protection Insurance Thu, 25 Dec: Recent data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) reveals a significant shift in the landscape of income protection insurance in Australia. Mental health conditions have emerged as the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims, accounting for nearly one-third of all claims paid. In 2024 alone, insurers disbursed over $2.2 billion for retail mental health claims, a figure that has almost doubled compared to five years prior. - read more
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| Decline in Income Protection Premiums Reflects Market Adjustments in Australia Thu, 25 Dec: Recent research from Rainmaker Information indicates a notable decrease in income protection insurance premiums across Australia. Direct income protection premiums have fallen by 12% for policies with a 30-day waiting period and 13% for those with a 90-day waiting period since 2024. Similarly, premiums for life products sold through advisers have decreased by 5%, with income protection premiums dropping by 7% for 30-day waiting periods and 5% for 90-day periods. - read more
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| Superannuation Insurance Extends Coverage to 6 Million More Australians Thu, 25 Dec: New research from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) reveals that superannuation insurance now provides critical protection to over 6 million Australians who would otherwise be uninsured. This expansion has been achieved without impacting household spending, as the coverage is included within superannuation contributions. - read more
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| Adore Beauty's Strategic Acquisition of Ikou Enhances Market Presence Thu, 25 Dec: In a significant move within the Australian beauty industry, Adore Beauty has announced the acquisition of wellness and skincare brand Ikou for $25 million. This strategic decision aims to bolster Adore Beauty's private label offerings and marks its entry into the physical retail space. - read more
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| Government Scrutinizes Health Insurers' Pricing Practices Thu, 25 Dec: Health Minister Mark Butler has issued a stern warning to private health insurers regarding the use of 'underhanded' tactics to raise premiums. This comes in response to findings that some insurers have been closing old policies and introducing more expensive ones, effectively increasing costs for consumers. - read more
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| AMA Highlights Declining Value in Private Health Insurance Thu, 25 Dec: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has released a report indicating that private health insurance is increasingly failing to deliver value for money. The report highlights that premiums have risen sharply, outpacing inflation and wage growth, while nearly 70% of policies now contain exclusions for specific treatments or conditions. - read more
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| Comprehensive Professional Indemnity Insurance Now Available for Australian Tradies Thu, 25 Dec: Hutch Underwriting has recently unveiled enhanced professional indemnity (PI) insurance policies specifically designed for Australian tradespeople. These new offerings aim to provide comprehensive coverage by integrating advice, design, and incidental cyber exposures into a single solution. - read more
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| New Partnership Brings Specialised Insurance Solutions to Australian Tradies Thu, 25 Dec: In a significant development for Australia's trades sector, digital agency Viz has partnered with Ivory Insurance to offer specialised insurance coverage tailored for tradies and small business owners. This collaboration aims to address the unique risks faced by professionals in various trades, providing comprehensive protection and peace of mind. - read more
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| Simplified Insurance Solutions Now Available for Australian Tradespeople Thu, 25 Dec: Hutch Underwriting has launched Trade Pack, a new insurance solution designed to meet the diverse needs of Australian tradespeople while minimizing administrative complexities. This offering is tailored for trades such as bricklayers, carpenters, landscapers, painters, and shop fitters, providing a streamlined approach to insurance coverage. - read more
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| Understanding Queensland's Boost to Buy Scheme for First-Home Buyers Wed, 24 Dec: In a significant move to support first-home buyers, the Queensland Government has introduced the Boost to Buy scheme, a shared equity initiative designed to make home ownership more attainable. This program offers an equity contribution of up to 30% for new homes and 25% for existing homes, applicable to properties valued up to $1 million. Eligible households with incomes up to $225,000 can benefit from this scheme, which aims to reduce the deposit gap that often hinders first-time buyers. - read more
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| Rising Debt Levels Among First-Home Buyers Post-Guarantee Scheme Expansion Wed, 24 Dec: The recent expansion of the First Home Guarantee Scheme has led to a notable increase in borrowing among first-home buyers. Data from Loan Market Group indicates that, following the scheme's October expansion, first-time buyers in New South Wales borrowed an average of $750,250 in October, up from $630,200 in the previous quarter—a 19% increase. Similar trends were observed in South Australia, with average loans rising by $105,000. - read more
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| The Impact of Victoria's Stamp Duty Concession Cap on First-Home Buyers Wed, 24 Dec: Victoria's existing stamp duty concession cap has become a significant hurdle for first-home buyers. The current scheme offers full stamp duty exemptions for properties up to $600,000 and concessions for those up to $750,000. However, with rising property prices, many first-time buyers find themselves exceeding these thresholds, resulting in substantial tax liabilities. For instance, purchasing a property valued at $750,001 incurs a stamp duty of $40,070, escalating to $55,000 for a $1 million property. - read more
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| WFI Insurance and Farmsafe Australia Join Forces to Boost Farm Safety Standards Wed, 24 Dec: In a significant move to enhance safety within the Australian agricultural sector, WFI Insurance has partnered with Farmsafe Australia. This collaboration is designed to raise awareness about farming hazards and advocate for the adoption of safer work practices among farmers. - read more
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| Argis Underwriting Partners with Pacific International to Expand Farm Insurance Offerings Wed, 24 Dec: Argis Underwriting has announced a new partnership with Newcastle-based Pacific International Insurance, enabling the company to resume offering farm insurance coverage across Australia. This development comes after Argis ceased providing new business and renewal terms on its Farm Extra Insurance in April, following the conclusion of a five-year arrangement with HDI Global Specialty. - read more
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| WFI Insurance Reports Significant Decline in Farm Liability Claims Wed, 24 Dec: WFI Insurance has reported a notable decrease in farm liability claims across most categories, signaling a positive trend in safety practices within the Australian agricultural sector. The insurer observed a 75% reduction in falls from height over the past year, alongside a 30% decline in impact injuries, marking the lowest level in four years. - read more
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| Understanding APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Loans Wed, 24 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 implement a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting banks to issuing no more than 20% of new home loans with DTI ratios of six times or higher. This measure applies to both owner-occupier and investor loans, excluding new housing developments. - read more
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| ASIC's Deep Dive into Private Lending Reveals Industry Shortcomings Wed, 24 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the private lending sector, uncovering several areas of concern. The investigation revealed inconsistent and unclear reporting, downplayed risks, opaque fee structures, conflicts of interest, and poor valuation practices within the industry. - read more
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| Rising Non-Bank Lenders Draw Attention from Regulators Wed, 24 Dec: The Australian non-bank lending sector is experiencing significant growth, attracting attention from both the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). As more Australians turn to non-bank lenders for property loans, concerns about financial stability and regulatory oversight have emerged. - read more
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| APRA's New Cap on High DTI Loans: What It Means for Investors Wed, 24 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 implement a cap restricting banks from issuing more than 20% of new home loans to borrowers with debt-to-income (DTI) ratios of six times or higher. This measure applies to both owner-occupier and investor loans, excluding new housing developments. - read more
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| RBA's Decision to Hold Cash Rate: Implications for Borrowers and Investors Wed, 24 Dec: In its December 2025 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to keep the official cash rate unchanged at 3.60%. This decision reflects the central bank's cautious approach in balancing inflation control with economic stability. - read more
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| Government's New Gas Reservation Scheme: What It Means for Australians Wed, 24 Dec: In December 2025, the Australian government announced the implementation of a Domestic Gas Reservation Scheme, set to commence in 2027. This policy requires liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters to allocate a portion of their production for the domestic market, aiming to enhance supply security and alleviate rising gas costs for households, businesses, and industrial users. - read more
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| Investor Loans Surge Amidst Australia's $12 Trillion Property Market Milestone Wed, 24 Dec: Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a significant uptick in investor activity within the housing market. In the third quarter of 2025, new investor loans increased by 13.6%, contributing to a 12.3% annual growth. This surge has propelled the total value of Australia's residential real estate to an unprecedented $12 trillion, effectively doubling its worth over the past decade. - read more
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