| Camplify Reports Unprecedented Demand for Caravan Rentals Tue, 17 Mar: As international travel costs continue to rise, many Australian families are seeking more affordable holiday alternatives. This shift has led to a significant increase in demand for caravan rentals and camping trips across the country. - read more
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| Western Australia's Transport Sector Pushes for Enhanced Truck Licensing Standards Tue, 17 Mar: Western Australia's transport industry is urging the state government to implement more stringent heavy vehicle licensing requirements, aiming to bolster road safety and ensure drivers possess adequate experience. This initiative follows South Australia's recent reforms, which introduced tougher conditions for truck drivers after a tragic triple fatality in 2024. - read more
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| Aon's 2026 Report Highlights Escalating Climate Risks for Australian Businesses Tue, 17 Mar: Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm, has released its 2026 Climate and Catastrophe Insight report, shedding light on the escalating climate-related risks facing Australian businesses. The report indicates that insured catastrophe losses in Australia totaled an estimated US$2.9 billion in 2025, underscoring the growing financial impact of climate events on the insurance sector. - read more
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| Australian Mortgage Market Reaches Record High Amidst Surging Property Prices Mon, 16 Mar: Australia's mortgage market has 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 Mortgage Stress Declines to Three-Year Low Amidst Economic Shifts Mon, 16 Mar: Recent data indicates that mortgage stress among Australian homeowners has decreased to its lowest level in three years. In the three months leading up to December 2025, 24.5% of mortgage holders were classified as 'at risk,' a decline of 3.4 percentage points since August. This improvement is largely attributed to previous rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). - read more
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| Banks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates in Anticipation of RBA's Upcoming Decision Mon, 16 Mar: In a significant move affecting the Australian housing market, major banks have increased their fixed home loan interest rates ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) forthcoming cash rate decision. This preemptive adjustment reflects the financial institutions' expectations of a potential rise in the official cash rate. - read more
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| Delays in Australia's Strategic Fleet Raise Maritime Security Concerns Mon, 16 Mar: The Australian government's plan to establish a strategic fleet of Australian-flagged ships has encountered delays, raising concerns about the nation's maritime resilience and security. The initiative, designed to bolster Australia's shipping capabilities and provide vessels for crises, emergencies, or defence support, has missed its initial deadlines, prompting industry experts to highlight growing vulnerabilities in trade and national security. - read more
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| Navigating Rising Premiums and Cybersecurity Risks in Australia's Insurance Sector Mon, 16 Mar: As we progress through 2026, Australia's insurance industry is grappling with significant challenges that are reshaping the landscape for both insurers and policyholders. Two primary concerns have emerged at the forefront: the affordability of premiums and the escalating threat of cyber incidents. - read more
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| Introducing Backd: Affordable Insurance for Casual and Contract Workers Sun, 15 Mar: In a significant move to address the insurance needs of Australia's growing casual and contract workforce, TAL has partnered with global insurtech company Cover Genius to launch Backd. This innovative digital-only insurance product aims to provide accessible and affordable life and income protection coverage to workers who have traditionally faced challenges in obtaining such protection. - read more
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| Zurich's Home Loan Protection: Tailored Insurance for Mortgage Holders Sun, 15 Mar: Zurich has unveiled its Home Loan Protection (HLP) product, a new insurance offering that combines life and income protection benefits tailored specifically for mortgage holders. This innovative cover automatically adjusts its premiums as the insured's mortgage balance decreases, ensuring that policyholders are only paying for the coverage they need. - read more
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| Australian General Insurance Premiums Set to Surpass $144 Billion by 2029 Sun, 15 Mar: The Australian general insurance industry is on a trajectory for substantial growth, with direct written premiums (DWP) projected to exceed $144 billion by 2029. This forecast, provided by data and analytics firm GlobalData, reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) driven by increasing demand for coverage in response to the rising frequency of natural disasters. - read more
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| Australia's A&H Insurance Sector Set for Steady Growth Sun, 15 Mar: Australia's accident and health (A&H) insurance sector is on track for significant growth, with projections indicating an annual increase exceeding 4% through to 2030. This positive outlook is largely attributed to advancements in digital distribution channels and escalating health-related expenses. - read more
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| ASIC Probes Transparency in Motor Insurance Pricing Practices Sun, 15 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated a comprehensive review into the accuracy and transparency of motor insurance pricing practices. This move aims to ensure that insurers are adhering to legal disclosure requirements and providing clear information to consumers. - read more
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| First Home Buyer Loans See Significant Uptick with Government Initiatives Sun, 15 Mar: Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates a notable increase in first home buyer loans, with a 6.8% rise in the December quarter of 2025, totaling 31,783 new loans. This marks the most substantial growth since late 2023 and reflects the effectiveness of recent government interventions aimed at assisting first-time buyers. - read more
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| Victorian First Home Buyers Drive National Market Growth Sun, 15 Mar: Victoria has emerged as a frontrunner in Australia's first home buyer market, accounting for nearly one-third of the nation's new first home buyer loans. In the December 2025 quarter, the state experienced a 3.5% increase in these loans, totaling 10,283. This growth reflects the effectiveness of recent government initiatives and the resilience of Victorian buyers amid a dynamic housing landscape. - read more
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| 5% Deposit Scheme Drives Significant Uptake Among First Home Buyers Sun, 15 Mar: The federal government's 5% Deposit Scheme, launched on October 1, 2025, has experienced a remarkable 75% increase in uptake, with 22,921 guarantees issued in the four months following its implementation. This surge underscores the scheme's effectiveness in facilitating homeownership for first-time buyers across Australia. - read more
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| Australian Share Market Suffers $120 Billion Loss Amid Middle East Unrest Sat, 14 Mar: Recent developments in the Middle East have had a profound impact on global financial markets, with Australia's share market experiencing significant losses. Over the past week, the S&P/ASX200 index declined by 1%, resulting in a $120 billion reduction in market capitalisation. This downturn marks the most substantial weekly loss since April 2025. - read more
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| Firstmac Sets New Benchmark with $2.5 Billion RMBS Issuance Sat, 14 Mar: In a significant development for Australia's financial sector, non-bank lender Firstmac has successfully completed a $2.5 billion Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) issue, marking the largest of its kind in the country. This achievement underscores the robust investor confidence in Firstmac's lending practices and the broader non-bank lending sector. - read more
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| AFIA Unveils Financial Safety Alliance to Tackle Financial Abuse Sat, 14 Mar: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has announced the formation of the Financial Safety Alliance, a collaborative initiative aimed at preventing financial abuse across the nation. This alliance brings together banks, lenders, and financial safety experts to develop and implement strategies that protect consumers from financial exploitation. - read more
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| Rising Demand for Business Loans Among Australian SMEs Sat, 14 Mar: The landscape of business financing in Australia is witnessing a notable shift, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly seeking substantial loans to fuel their growth ambitions. This rising demand is being met by non-bank lenders, who are offering more accessible and flexible funding solutions. - read more
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| Non-Bank Lenders' Rising Role in SME Financing Sat, 14 Mar: In the evolving landscape of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing in Australia, a significant shift is underway. Brokers are increasingly directing their clients towards non-bank lenders, especially for loans under $500,000. This trend underscores a growing preference for faster decision-making and streamlined application processes, which are often hallmarks of non-bank institutions. - read more
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| SME Lending Surge Opens New Avenues for Brokers Sat, 14 Mar: Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are experiencing a period of robust growth, leading to an increased demand for financing solutions. This surge presents a lucrative opportunity for brokers to expand their revenue streams by partnering with non-bank lenders. - read more
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| CGU and WFI Collaborate with Ag Guard to Boost Farm Insurance Services Sat, 14 Mar: In a significant development for Australia's agricultural sector, CGU and WFI Insurance have announced an exclusive partnership with Ag Guard, a technology-driven agricultural insurance agency. This collaboration, set to commence in June 2026, aims to bolster the agricultural insurance capabilities of both insurers and enhance digital services for brokers, partners, and customers. - read more
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| Insurance Council Declares Significant Events for Northern Territory and Queensland Floods Sat, 14 Mar: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared two Significant Events in response to the severe rainfall and flooding that have recently impacted the Northern Territory and Queensland. This declaration pertains to the flooding in Katherine and surrounding regions in the Northern Territory, as well as the Bundaberg region and Burnett River catchment in Queensland. - read more
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| Insurance Council Advocates for Climate Resilience Investment on Cyclone Alfred Anniversary Sat, 14 Mar: Marking one year since Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused $1.5 billion in insured damages and an estimated $2.7 billion in total economic losses, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has renewed its call for urgent investment in climate resilience. The ICA emphasises the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. - read more
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