| RBA Card Data Points to Ongoing Pressure on Household Debt Thu, 16 Jul: The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest retail payments figures, released on 7 July 2026, add another useful snapshot of how Australians are managing day-to-day spending and short-term debt. In May 2026, total purchases on Australian-issued cards reached $99.7 billion, with credit and charge cards accounting for $40.7 billion and debit cards making up $59.0 billion. 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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| Rising Credit Card Debt Sends a Warning to Borrowers Thu, 16 Jul: Fresh credit card figures suggest many Australians are still leaning on high-interest debt to manage household pressure, even as lenders continue to scrutinise borrowing capacity closely. Canstar’s review of Reserve Bank credit card data shows personal credit card debt attracting interest reached $19.4 billion in May 2026, up $61 million for the month. - read more
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| New July Caravan Loan Data Highlights Why Buyers Need to Compare Carefully Thu, 16 Jul: Fresh caravan loan comparison data published on 15 July 2026 points to a market where headline rates can look attractive, but the difference between a strong application and a weaker one remains significant. For Australians planning to buy a caravan, camper trailer or motorhome, the message is clear: do not judge a loan by the advertised rate alone. - read more
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| What July’s Cheapest Car Loan Rates Mean for Australian Buyers Thu, 16 Jul: Australian car buyers have a fresh benchmark for what a competitive loan may look like, with Canstar’s July 2026 car loan snapshot showing some secured new and near-new car loans advertised from the high five per cent range. For households already juggling fuel, insurance, registration and cost-of-living pressures, that headline number may look appealing. - read more
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| July Compliance Crunch Puts SME Cash Flow in Focus Thu, 16 Jul: Australian small businesses are facing an unusually compressed July compliance window, with the first month of Payday Super colliding with familiar end-of-financial-year obligations. For owners already managing wages, GST, supplier bills and loan repayments, the change is more than an administrative adjustment: it can alter when cash must leave the business. - read more
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| Why Truck Insurance Pricing Is Splitting for Australian Fleets Thu, 16 Jul: Australia’s insurance market has moved into a more competitive phase, but truck operators should not assume that softer conditions will translate into automatic premium relief. A July 2026 market overview reported that insurer appetite remains strong for well-presented commercial risks, yet motor insurance is becoming sharply divided between disciplined fleets and higher-risk heavy vehicle operations. - read more
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| What July’s Boat Loan Rate Update Means for Buyers Wed, 15 Jul: Australian boat buyers have a fresh snapshot of the lending market, with Canstar’s boat loan comparison data updated on 15 July 2026. The update shows indicative unsecured boat loan offers for a $20,000 loan over three years, with some listed comparison rates starting from 5.95% for applicants who meet strong credit criteria. - read more
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| Chronic Illness Risk Puts Fresh Focus on Income Insurance Wed, 15 Jul: New research highlighted by Zurich has put a timely spotlight on a major challenge for Australian workers: people are living longer, but many are also spending more of those years managing chronic health conditions. For households that rely on a regular wage, salary, business income or contract work, this trend reinforces why income insurance is not just a product for sudden accidents. - read more
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| Australians Turn Tax Refunds Into Home Loan Breathing Room Wed, 15 Jul: Tax time is shaping up less like a spending season and more like a reset moment for Australian households. Fresh reporting based on Finder research suggests many people expecting a 2026 tax refund are planning to bank the money, pay bills or reduce debt rather than spend it on discretionary purchases. - read more
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| Off-Road Demand Powers Australia’s First-Half Motorcycle Sales Wed, 15 Jul: Australia’s motorcycle market has carried its early-year momentum into the end of the June half, with FCAI-audited sales reaching 46,023 motorcycles, scooters and off-highway vehicles between 1 January and 30 June 2026. That is an 8.2% lift on the same period in 2025 and the strongest first-half result reported since 2022. - read more
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| Why Commission Earners Should Check Their Income Protection Wording Wed, 15 Jul: A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has put an important issue in focus for sales staff, recruiters, account managers and other workers whose income depends partly on commission. The dispute involved a policyholder covered under an employer’s group income protection arrangement with MetLife. After a work-related mental health injury, he claimed on the policy, but his commission earnings were left out when his pre-disability income was calculated. - read more
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| Steadfast Takeover Bid Puts Broker Networks in Focus Wed, 15 Jul: A fresh development in Australia’s insurance broking sector is worth watching for boat owners, charter operators and anyone who relies on specialist advice to arrange marine cover. On 14 July 2026, Insurance News reported that global private equity firm KKR had joined the consortium seeking to acquire Steadfast Group in a proposed $7.7 billion transaction. - read more
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| Lifeline Breach Puts Cyber Cover Back on the SME Agenda Wed, 15 Jul: A reported data breach involving Lifeline Australia has renewed attention on a widening protection gap in the Australian cyber insurance market. While Lifeline has indicated that help-seeker and financial information were not compromised, the incident is a timely reminder that staff, volunteer, client and supplier data can still create serious legal, operational and reputational exposure for any organisation. - read more
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| Steadfast Takeover Bid Gains New Weight as KKR Joins Consortium Wed, 15 Jul: A proposed takeover of Steadfast Group has become one of the most closely watched insurance market stories in Australia, after global investment firm KKR joined the consortium seeking to acquire the ASX-listed broker network. The bid, led by Amwins Group and Dragoneer Investment Group, values Steadfast at about A$7.7 billion and remains pitched at A$6 per share. - read more
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| Mortgage Rate Cuts Create a Timely Opening for Borrowers Wed, 15 Jul: Australian home loan competition is heating up, even as the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate remains elevated. Recent market reporting shows 18 lenders have trimmed at least one variable mortgage rate since the RBA’s May rate rise, suggesting lenders are becoming more aggressive in the fight for new borrowers. - read more
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| What the Latest Cyber Breach Means for Beauty Businesses Wed, 15 Jul: A fresh cyber insurance report has put data protection back in the spotlight for Australian small businesses, after Lifeline Australia confirmed an unauthorised party had accessed some staff and volunteer information in July 2026. The incident was not reported as involving help seeker data or financial information, but it still shows how quickly an organisation can face technical, legal and communication pressures after a data event. - read more
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| What a Softer Insurance Market Could Mean for Tradies Wed, 15 Jul: Australian businesses may be entering a more buyer-friendly phase for several commercial insurance classes, with recent market commentary pointing to stronger insurer competition, more available capacity and improved appetite for well-managed risks. For tradies and small trade businesses, that could make the next renewal period a useful time to reassess whether existing policies still match the way the business operates. - read more
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| What Cooling Auctions and Tight Housing Supply Mean for First Home Buyers Wed, 15 Jul: Australia’s housing market is sending mixed signals, and for first home buyers that can feel both encouraging and confusing. The latest property commentary points to a market where buyer confidence has softened, auction clearance rates are well below last year’s levels, and some vendors may be more willing to negotiate. At the same time, the bigger affordability problem has not disappeared. - read more
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| Longer Lives, Higher Claims: What Chronic Illness Means for Employers Wed, 15 Jul: New research from Zurich has sharpened the focus on a major issue for Australian employers: people are living longer, but many are spending more of those years managing chronic illness. For businesses that rely on experienced staff, directors and key revenue-generating employees, this is not just a health trend. It is a workforce, productivity and insurance planning issue. - read more
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| Why Chronic Illness Is Now a Business Continuity Issue Wed, 15 Jul: New Zurich research has put a sharper lens on a risk many business owners already sense in their teams and families: Australians are living longer, but more of those years may be affected by chronic illness. For SMEs, this is not only a health story. It is a continuity, productivity and financial resilience story. - read more
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| What Canstar’s 2026 Life Insurance Ratings Mean for Key Person Cover Wed, 15 Jul: Canstar’s latest 2026 life insurance research has put fresh numbers around a familiar pressure point for Australians: premiums are still rising, even if the increase is relatively modest. Based on Canstar’s direct life insurance rating work, average life insurance costs were reported to be $14.60, or 0.84%, higher in 2026 compared with the previous year’s national averages. - read more
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| ASIC’s Latest Levy Estimates Put Insurance Costs Under the Spotlight Wed, 15 Jul: ASIC’s latest 2025–26 industry funding estimates have put fresh attention on the cost of regulating Australia’s insurance and financial advice sectors. Released on 13 July 2026, the figures show ASIC expects to recover $400.5 million across regulated industries for the financial year, up 19 per cent on the previous year. Final levies are due in December 2026, with invoices expected between January and March 2027. - read more
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| Why longer lives may mean a rethink on cover Wed, 15 Jul: Fresh research from Zurich has put a spotlight on a challenge many Australians may not have fully factored into their insurance planning: we are living longer, but not necessarily living healthier for longer. Its Chronic Care Index ranked Australia eighth among OECD countries for overall health system performance, reflecting strong healthcare capacity and comparatively low mortality. - read more
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| Living Longer, But Not Always Healthier: What It Means for Cover Wed, 15 Jul: New research from Zurich Australia has put a timely spotlight on a challenge many families already understand: Australians may be living longer, but not necessarily spending all of those extra years in good health. Reported on 13 July 2026, the Zurich Chronic Care Index ranked Australia eighth out of 38 OECD countries for overall health system performance, reflecting strong healthcare capacity and relatively low mortality. However, the same analysis points to a widening gap between lifespan and health span. - read more
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| Paraquat Restrictions Add New Pressure to Weed Control Planning Wed, 15 Jul: Australian growers are being pushed to rethink weed control strategies after the national chemical regulator allowed paraquat to remain in use, but under tighter conditions. The decision has been welcomed by many broadacre producers who rely on the herbicide as part of pre-sowing weed management, yet it also leaves farm businesses facing a more complex cost and planning equation. - read more
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Please Note: If this information affects you or is relevant to your circumstances, seek advice from a licensed professional.
