| Acenda's Workforce Reductions Post-Merger Raise Union Concerns Tue, 31 Mar: In the wake of the merger between MLC Life and Resolution Life Australia, the newly formed entity, Acenda, has implemented significant workforce reductions, leading to union criticism over the consultation process. - read more
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| APRA Reports Significant Increase in Life Insurance Underwriting Profits Tue, 31 Mar: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released data indicating a substantial rise in underwriting gains within the life insurance sector for the December quarter of 2025. - read more
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| IBISWorld Forecasts Surge in Life Insurance Mergers Amid Market Challenges Tue, 31 Mar: According to a recent IBISWorld report, the Australian life insurance industry is poised for increased merger activity as companies strive to achieve economies of scale in response to market challenges. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Tackle Premium Affordability Challenges in 2026 Tue, 31 Mar: In 2026, Australian insurers are prioritizing premium affordability and insurability as they confront escalating claims costs, climate-related losses, and technology-enabled fraud. According to Gallagher Bassett's 2026 global claims study, these factors are significantly influencing pricing, underwriting, and capital allocation decisions. - read more
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| Medibank's Profit Surge Amidst Rising Health Insurance Premiums Tue, 31 Mar: Medibank Private, one of Australia's leading health insurers, has reported a significant increase in its interim net profit, coinciding with a notable rise in health insurance premiums across the country. This development has sparked discussions about the affordability and value of private health insurance for Australian consumers. - read more
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| TAL's 'Pathways': A New Digital Solution for Mental Health Claims Tue, 31 Mar: In a significant move to improve the claims process for mental health-related income protection, Australian life insurer TAL has announced the development of a new digital platform named 'Pathways.' This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, the University of Sydney, and Workcom, aiming to streamline and enhance the experience for policyholders navigating mental health claims. - read more
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| ASIC Takes Legal Action Against Budget Direct Over Discount Misrepresentation Tue, 31 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced legal proceedings against Auto & General, the parent company of Budget Direct, alleging that the insurer misled customers regarding promised discounts, resulting in overcharged premiums over several years. - read more
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| Rising Claims and Premium Pressures Challenge Australian Insurers Tue, 31 Mar: The Australian insurance industry is currently navigating a complex landscape marked by escalating claims and mounting premium pressures. Recent data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) reveals a significant downturn in the sector's profitability, primarily attributed to severe weather events and broader economic challenges. - read more
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| Declining Commercial Insurance Rates in Australia: A Competitive Market Landscape Tue, 31 Mar: The Australian commercial insurance market is experiencing a notable decline in rates, driven by heightened competition among insurers and increased capacity. This trend presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses seeking coverage. - read more
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| Rising Age of First Homebuyers Highlights Affordability Challenges Tue, 31 Mar: Recent data reveals a notable shift in the demographics of Australian first homebuyers, with the average age now standing at 34. This trend underscores the growing challenges associated with housing affordability and the complexities of entering the property market. - read more
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| Mortgage Brokers Expand Market Share in Westpac's Home Loan Portfolio Tue, 31 Mar: Mortgage brokers are playing an increasingly significant role in the Australian home loan market, particularly within Westpac's portfolio. Recent figures indicate that brokers now account for 55.6% of the bank's home loan originations, up from 52.7% the previous year. - read more
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| bikesales Joins Forces with ASBK and ProMX for 2026 Championships Mon, 30 Mar: bikesales, Australia's leading marketplace for new and used motorcycles, has announced its sponsorship of the 2026 Penrite Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) and Penrite ProMX Championship. This collaboration aligns bikesales with Motorcycling Australia's premier road racing and motocross events, placing the brand at the forefront of the nation's motorcycle racing scene. - read more
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| End of an Era: Australian MotoGP to Depart Phillip Island After 2026 Mon, 30 Mar: After nearly three decades at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is set to relocate following the 2026 event. The Victorian government confirmed it would not grant the event organiser's request to move the race to Melbourne's Albert Park, leading to the decision to move the event out of Victoria. - read more
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| Australian Home Loan Sizes Hit Record Highs in 2026 Mon, 30 Mar: Recent data indicates that Australian home loan sizes have reached unprecedented levels. For owner-occupiers, the average loan size has climbed to a record $736,259, marking a 6.1% increase month-on-month and a 10.5% rise compared to the previous year. First home buyers are also borrowing more, with the average loan reaching $607,624, up 8.5% from the previous month and 11.8% year-on-year. - read more
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| Australian Credit Card Spending Sees Significant Increase Mon, 30 Mar: In December 2025, Australian credit card purchases reached a total of $38.7 billion, marking a 5.1% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The number of transactions grew by 2.0% to 323.7 million, with the average spend per card reaching $3,151. - read more
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| WFI Insurance Highlights Significant Drop in Farm Liability Claims Mon, 30 Mar: 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. - read more
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| APRA's New Limits on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans Explained Mon, 30 Mar: 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 impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This measure is designed to address concerns over escalating property prices and the potential for financial instability. - read more
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| ANZ Implements Stricter Lending Policies for Trusts and Companies Mon, 30 Mar: ANZ Bank has recently introduced more stringent criteria for mortgage lending to trusts and companies, aligning with similar moves by other major Australian lenders. Effective January 8, 2026, these changes reflect a broader industry response to regulatory concerns over high-risk lending practices. - read more
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| ASIC's Call for Enhanced Standards in the Private Lending Sector Mon, 30 Mar: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a stern warning to the private lending sector, highlighting the need for improved industry practices to protect consumers and maintain financial stability. This move comes amid growing concerns over inconsistent reporting, opaque fee structures, and potential risks within the sector. - read more
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| Club Marine Introduces Land-Based Insurance for Race Boats Mon, 30 Mar: Club Marine, Australia's leading boat insurance provider, has expanded its services to include land-based insurance coverage for race boats. This initiative is the result of a new partnership with the Australian Offshore Powerboat Club (AOPC), aiming to address the specific needs of race boat owners. - read more
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| BIA Calls for Government Support in Marine Manufacturing Mon, 30 Mar: The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) has issued a call to all levels of Australian government to provide strategic support for the nation's marine manufacturing and recreational boating sector. This appeal comes in response to a critical skills shortage that poses a threat to the industry's economic potential. - read more
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| BIA Introduces Responsible Boat Ownership Campaign Mon, 30 Mar: The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has launched a new public education campaign aimed at promoting safe and responsible boating practices among Australians. This initiative, titled the 'Responsible Boat Ownership' campaign, is a collaborative effort under the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) and coincides with Safe Boating Week 2025. - read more
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| Renown Lending Boosts SME Funding Pool to $400 Million Mon, 30 Mar: In a significant move to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, Renown Lending has expanded its funding pool from $250 million to $400 million. This increase aims to provide fast and flexible financing solutions to businesses nationwide, addressing the growing demand for accessible funding options. - read more
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| NAB Continues to Lead Australia's Expanding Business Lending Market Mon, 30 Mar: Australia's business lending landscape has reached a significant milestone, with authorized deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) reporting a combined total of $1.2 trillion in loans to non-financial businesses as of January 2026. This marks a 9.3% increase over the previous year and a substantial 53.9% growth since January 2020. - read more
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| RBA Reports Surge in Non-Bank Business Lending Mon, 30 Mar: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has observed a notable increase in business credit, particularly from non-bank lenders, in its February 2026 Bulletin. This growth is attributed to heightened competition among established lenders and the expansion of specialist non-bank and private credit lenders. - read more
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