| Netstrata's Undisclosed Commissions and Conflicts of Interest Revealed Sat, 06 Dec: In February 2025, an independent review conducted by McGrathNicol uncovered significant issues within Netstrata, a prominent strata management company. The investigation revealed that Netstrata failed to disclose commissions and did not obtain multiple quotes for services, potentially breaching legal obligations. Additionally, the review identified undisclosed personal relationships between Netstrata employees and suppliers, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest. - read more
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| CHU's 2025 Strata Market Report: Stability Amidst Climate and Regulatory Challenges Sat, 06 Dec: In November 2025, CHU, Australia's largest strata insurance underwriting agency, released its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current trends and challenges within the strata industry. The report offers valuable insights into premium trends, climate-related risks, regulatory developments, and emerging sector challenges. - read more
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| Rising Insurance Costs Amidst Climate Change: What Homeowners Need to Know Sat, 06 Dec: Australian homeowners are experiencing significant increases in home insurance premiums, largely due to the escalating risks associated with climate change. Recent analyses reveal a national average premium hike of 14%, translating to an additional $343 annually for policyholders. This trend underscores the growing financial burden on homeowners as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. - read more
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| Competitive Market Dynamics Drive Down Construction Insurance Costs Sat, 06 Dec: The Australian construction insurance market has entered a notably softer phase in 2025, characterized by a significant reduction in premiums across various lines. This shift is primarily attributed to increased competition among insurers, offering clients more options and driving down costs. - read more
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| Why Perth Hospitality Businesses Should Reassess Their Insurance Coverage Sat, 06 Dec: Perth's hospitality industry is currently navigating a challenging landscape marked by escalating operational costs and evolving risks. In response, industry experts are advocating for a thorough reassessment of insurance policies to ensure businesses are adequately protected. - read more
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| Fine Food Australia and R&CA Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Hospitality Sector Sat, 06 Dec: In a significant move to support Australia's hospitality industry, Fine Food Australia has announced a partnership with the Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Australia (R&CA). This collaboration aims to provide a unified platform for industry professionals to network, share insights, and advocate for the sector's interests. - read more
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| Rising Risks Lead to Soaring Insurance Premiums for Hospitality Venues Sat, 06 Dec: Australian hospitality venues, particularly those offering live entertainment and serving alcohol, are experiencing a significant surge in insurance premiums. This trend is attributed to the heightened risks associated with alcohol consumption and entertainment activities, leading to increased incidents and claims. - read more
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| Australia's Marine Industry Surges to $229 Billion Economic Output Fri, 05 Dec: Australia's marine industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, achieving an economic output of $229 billion in 2023. This represents a 19% increase compared to two years prior, as reported by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). The sector now supports 712,000 full-time equivalent jobs, marking a 52% rise in employment. - read more
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| Australia and Vanuatu Strengthen Ties with $325 Million Nakamal Agreement Fri, 05 Dec: In a significant move to bolster regional partnerships, Australia and Vanuatu have signed the Nakamal Agreement, a $325 million bilateral treaty aimed at enhancing economic, security, and cultural cooperation. Named after Vanuatu's traditional communal meeting place, the 'nakamal,' this agreement underscores the deepening ties between the two nations. - read more
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| Austal Limited Boosts U.S. Shipbuilding with $100 Million EFA Loan Fri, 05 Dec: Austal Limited, a prominent Australian shipbuilder, has secured a $100 million loan from Export Finance Australia (EFA) to enhance its shipbuilding operations in Mobile, Alabama. This strategic funding is earmarked for the development of the Final Assembly 2 (FA2) project, a significant initiative aimed at increasing Austal's capacity to construct vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. - read more
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| RBA's Interest Rate Reduction: A Boon for Australian SMEs Fri, 05 Dec: The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent decision to reduce the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.60% presents a significant opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the nation. This adjustment, aimed at addressing moderating inflation and a tight labour market, is set to lower borrowing costs, thereby facilitating business growth and expansion. - read more
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| Australian SMEs Embrace Non-Bank Lenders for Flexible Financing Fri, 05 Dec: In a significant shift within Australia's financial landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly opting for non-bank lenders to meet their financing needs. Recent data indicates that demand for non-bank lending among SMEs has reached 55% in 2025, marking a substantial increase from previous years. - read more
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| Australian SMEs Benefit from Confirmed $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Fri, 05 Dec: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received positive news with the confirmation of the $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off for the 2025-26 financial year. This measure allows eligible businesses to claim immediate tax deductions on asset purchases up to $20,000, providing a significant incentive for investment in business growth. - read more
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| Queensland Strata Owners: Act Now to Lower Your Insurance Premiums Fri, 05 Dec: Strata property owners in North and Central Queensland are being urged to take advantage of new federal and state initiatives designed to reduce insurance premiums and enhance cyclone resilience. These programs provide financial incentives for property upgrades that can lead to significant savings on insurance costs. - read more
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| Strata Living in Australia: A $1.4 Trillion Market and Growing Fri, 05 Dec: The insured value of strata properties in Australia has reached an estimated $1.4 trillion, underscoring the growing significance of strata living in the nation's housing landscape. This substantial valuation reflects the increasing number of Australians choosing strata-titled properties as their preferred mode of residence. - read more
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| CHU's 2025 Report: Strata Insurance Premiums Remain Stable Amidst Industry Shifts Fri, 05 Dec: CHU, Australia's largest strata insurance underwriting agency, has released its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the industry. The report offers valuable insights into premium movements, the impact of weather events, regulatory developments, and emerging risks affecting strata insurance. - read more
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| ANZ's Nuno Matos Takes Helm at Australian Banking Association Thu, 04 Dec: In a significant development for Australia's banking sector, Nuno Matos, Chief Executive Officer of ANZ Group, has been appointed as the new chair of the Australian Banking Association (ABA) council. This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the industry, as Matos brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role. - read more
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| APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans Thu, 04 Dec: In a proactive move to address potential risks in the housing market, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced the implementation of a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, effective from February 2026. This measure is designed to curb the issuance of loans that could pose systemic risks to the financial system. - read more
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| Australian Home Prices Expected to Climb by 7% in 2026 Thu, 04 Dec: Recent analyses indicate that Australian home prices are set to rise by approximately 6.9% in 2026, marking a significant upward revision from previous forecasts. This anticipated growth is attributed to constrained housing supply and a resurgence in buyer demand, following interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in 2025. - read more
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| ASIC's Investigation Highlights Issues in Car Finance Sector Thu, 04 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
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| Mid-Year Insights Show Used Car Supply Surging Thu, 04 Dec: The Australian used car market is experiencing a significant shift, with a notable increase in vehicle listings contributing to a more balanced and stable marketplace. According to the Mid-2025 Automotive Insights Report (AIR) released by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) in collaboration with AutoGrab, the first half of 2025 saw 1,589,491 used vehicles listed for sale. This figure represents an over 30% increase compared to the same period in 2024, indicating a substantial surge in supply. - read more
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| Australia to Cap High Debt-to-Income Home Loans from February to Curb Housing Risks Thu, 04 Dec: In a proactive move to address escalating risks in the housing market, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced the implementation of a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans. Effective from February 2026, this measure is designed to mitigate potential financial vulnerabilities arising from surging property prices and accelerated credit growth. - read more
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| APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know Wed, 03 Dec: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at curbing potential risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will implement a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This move is designed to address concerns over escalating property prices and accelerated credit growth. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank's Q1 Profit Growth: Balancing Volume and Margin Challenges Wed, 03 Dec: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender by market value, has reported a modest increase in its first-quarter cash profit, reaching approximately A$2.6 billion—a 2% rise from the previous year. This growth is primarily attributed to strong performances in home loans and household deposits, which saw increases of A$9.3 billion and A$17.8 billion, respectively. - read more
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| Australians Tighten Budgets to Enhance Home Loan Eligibility Wed, 03 Dec: In response to stringent lending criteria, a significant number of Australians are actively reducing their spending and personal debt to improve their chances of securing or refinancing home loans. A recent survey conducted by Finder, involving over 1,000 participants, revealed that 18%—approximately 3.9 million people—have taken such measures over the past five years to meet lender requirements. - read more
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