| ANZ's Australia Commercial Division Sees 11% Profit Growth Sat, 14 Feb: ANZ Banking Group has reported an 11% increase in profit for its Australia Commercial division over the past year. This growth is attributed to robust lending activities, particularly in the agribusiness and health sectors. - read more
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| AMA Advocates for Regulatory Reforms to Curb Health Insurers' Market Power Sat, 14 Feb: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has recently highlighted concerns regarding the substantial market power wielded by private health insurers and its potential adverse effects on patient care and healthcare costs. In a position statement released on 4 February 2026, the AMA emphasised the need for regulatory reforms to prevent insurers from exploiting their dominant positions in the healthcare sector. - read more
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| Declining Value in Private Health Insurance: AMA Calls for Urgent Reforms Sat, 14 Feb: Recent findings from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) reveal a concerning trend in the private health insurance sector: Australians are facing higher premiums while experiencing diminishing returns on their policies. The AMA's latest Private Health Insurance Report Card, released on 5 December 2025, highlights the urgent need for reforms to address these issues. - read more
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| Private Health Insurers Under Fire for Premium Increases Despite Government Warnings Sat, 14 Feb: Private health insurers in Australia are facing mounting criticism for implementing significant premium increases, despite explicit warnings from the Health Minister. This development has sparked concerns about the affordability of healthcare and the practices employed by insurers to maximise profits. - read more
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| AIA Australia's Commitment to Mental Health: City2Surf Partnership Sat, 14 Feb: In August 2025, AIA Australia, a leading life, health, and wellbeing insurer, took a significant step in addressing the nation's mental health crisis by partnering with the City2Surf event in Sydney. This collaboration aimed to raise both funds and awareness for mental health, a pressing issue that has seen a notable increase in related insurance claims over recent years. - read more
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| AUSactive and Private Healthcare Australia: Pioneering Health Insurance Reforms Sat, 14 Feb: In July 2025, AUSactive, Australia's peak body for the exercise and active health sector, announced a strategic partnership with Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) aimed at reforming private health insurance to include evidence-based preventive health services. This collaboration follows recent legislative changes that permit private health insurers to offer rebates for select natural therapies, marking a significant shift in the integration of preventive health into the insurance framework. - read more
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| AIA Australia's New Member Insurance Portal: Revolutionising Claims Processing Sat, 14 Feb: In July 2024, AIA Australia, a prominent life, health, and wellbeing insurer, unveiled its cutting-edge Member Insurance Portal, designed to streamline the insurance experience for group insurance customers. This digital innovation focuses on optimising the claims process, providing members with the ability to track their claims throughout the entire lifecycle, thereby ensuring transparency and simplicity during potentially challenging times. - read more
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| Government Criticises Insurers Amid Rising Premiums Sat, 14 Feb: In March 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly criticised Australian insurance companies, accusing them of 'ripping off' consumers through escalating premiums. This statement came in response to widespread concerns about the affordability of insurance, particularly following natural disasters like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. - read more
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| Upcoming Regulations Pose New Challenges for Australian Insurers Sat, 14 Feb: The Australian insurance industry is on the cusp of significant regulatory changes with the impending implementation of the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) and CPS230 Operational Resilience. These regulations, set to take effect in March and July 2025 respectively, will require insurers to make strategic adjustments to ensure compliance and maintain operational resilience. - read more
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| Declining Construction Insurance Premiums in Australia: A 2025 Overview Sat, 14 Feb: In 2025, Australia's construction insurance market experienced a notable shift, with premiums decreasing across various lines. This trend marks a departure from the upward trajectory observed in previous years, offering a more favourable environment for construction businesses seeking coverage. - read more
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| The Impact of Escalating Construction Costs on Insurance Claims in Australia Sat, 14 Feb: Australia's construction sector is currently grappling with significant cost escalations, which are having a direct impact on insurance claims and repair timelines. Factors such as rising material prices, labour shortages, and an increase in builder insolvencies are contributing to this trend. - read more
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| ICA's Push for Reforms to Lower Insurance Costs and Strengthen Housing Resilience in Queensland Sat, 14 Feb: 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 industry. These proposals are designed to reduce insurance costs and bolster housing resilience, addressing both economic efficiency and disaster preparedness. - read more
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| IMB Bank Recognised as Australia's Leading Personal Loan Provider in 2026 Fri, 13 Feb: In a significant achievement, IMB Bank has been named Australia's Best Personal Loan lender for 2026 by Mozo, a leading financial comparison platform. This marks the second consecutive year that IMB Bank has secured this prestigious title, underscoring its consistent commitment to providing exceptional value in personal lending. - read more
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| APRA's New Debt-to-Income Cap Aims to Curb High-Risk Mortgage Lending Fri, 13 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks associated with high debt-to-income (DTI) mortgage lending. Effective from 1 February 2026, APRA will enforce a cap, limiting banks to allocating no more than 20% of new mortgages to borrowers whose total debt exceeds six times their income. - read more
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| Record Surge in Investor Lending Reaches $72 Billion in September Quarter Fri, 13 Feb: In the September quarter of 2025, investor lending in Australia reached an unprecedented $72 billion, marking a significant 12% increase from the previous quarter. This surge reflects a growing appetite among investors for property acquisitions, driven by favorable market conditions and competitive lending rates. - read more
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| APRA's New Lending Limits: What Borrowers Need to Know Fri, 13 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at curbing high-risk lending practices within the housing market. Effective from 1 February 2026, APRA will implement a cap limiting banks to issuing no more than 20% of new home loans 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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| Westpac's Financial Milestones: Profit Surge and Strategic Sale Fri, 13 Feb: Westpac Banking Corporation has reported a robust full-year profit of $7 billion, underscoring its strong financial performance in the current economic climate. In a strategic move, the bank has also announced the sale of its RAMS mortgage business for $21.4 billion, a decision that aligns with its focus on streamlining operations and enhancing shareholder value. - read more
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| Introducing the Kia Tasman: Kia's Entry into the Australian Ute Segment Fri, 13 Feb: The Australian ute market is poised to welcome a new entrant with the upcoming launch of the Kia Tasman. Scheduled to arrive in mid-2025, the Tasman marks Kia's inaugural foray into the competitive utility vehicle segment, traditionally dominated by models like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D-Max. - read more
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| Lightspeed Motor Company: Bringing Car Manufacturing Back to Australia Fri, 13 Feb: In a bold move to revitalise Australia's automotive manufacturing sector, Melbourne-based Lightspeed Motor Company has announced plans to locally produce the Ariel Atom sports car and the Ariel Nomad off-roader. This initiative aims to address lengthy wait times and high costs associated with importing these vehicles from the UK. - read more
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| Volkswagen and Jayco Unveil the Crafter Kampervan: A New Era for Australian Motorhomes Fri, 13 Feb: Volkswagen Australia has joined forces with renowned caravan specialist Jayco to introduce the Crafter Kampervan, a fully-equipped motorhome tailored for the Australian market. This collaboration combines Volkswagen's automotive expertise with Jayco's experience in recreational vehicles, resulting in a product designed to meet the needs of Australian travellers. - read more
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| New Partnership Aims to Reduce Electric Vehicle Costs for Australians Fri, 13 Feb: In a significant move towards promoting sustainable transportation, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed up to $60 million in partnership with Hyundai Capital Australia (HCAU) to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable for Australian consumers. - read more
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| Australians Embrace Hybrid Vehicles Amid Rising Environmental Awareness Fri, 13 Feb: The Australian automotive market is witnessing a significant shift as consumers increasingly opt for hybrid vehicles, balancing practicality with environmental consciousness. Recent data from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) and AutoGrab reveals that used hybrid car sales have more than doubled over the past two years, escalating from 6,868 units in October 2023 to 14,784 in October 2025. - read more
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| AADA Reports Stabilisation in Australian Used Car Market for 2025 Fri, 13 Feb: The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), in collaboration with AutoGrab, has released the Annual 2025 Automotive Insights Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the nation's used car market over the past year. The report indicates a stabilisation in the market, with total used car sales reaching 2.32 million vehicles in 2025, a slight decrease of 0.37% compared to 2024. - read more
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| CEFC and Hyundai Capital Australia Collaborate to Lower EV Loan Rates Fri, 13 Feb: The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced a significant partnership with Hyundai Capital Australia (HCAU), committing up to $60 million to reduce the upfront costs associated with electric vehicle (EV) ownership. This initiative is designed to make EVs more accessible to Australian households and small businesses by offering discounted finance rates on eligible Hyundai and Kia electric models. - read more
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| Significant Decline in Energy Prices Across New South Wales and Queensland Fri, 13 Feb: Recent developments in the energy sector have seen wholesale prices in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) drop to their lowest levels in 12 months. This decline presents a crucial opportunity for energy consumers, including those in the marine industry, to reassess and potentially reduce their energy expenditures. - read more
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