Finance News

Business Formation Just Hit a Record. Business Confidence Didn't.

124,516 new businesses registered in March 2026, up 10.34% year on year. Company formations at highest monthly level on record despite pandemic-low confidence.

Nearly a Million Tourists Visited Australia in a Single Month

Australia recorded 943,220 short-term tourist visits in February 2026, topping the pre-COVID benchmark for the first time. What it means for hospitality and tourism businesses.

Inflation Expectations Just Hit a Record High. The Actual Numbers Tell a Different Story.

Australians expect 7.3% inflation but the actual rate is 3.7%. We break down what is really happening by category and what it means for financial decisions.

The Australian Dollar Just Hit a Five-Year High. Here's What That Means for Buyers.

The AUD is up 10% from 2025 lows. Here is what the stronger dollar means for imported vehicles, equipment, and machinery, and how to use the pricing shift.

Australians Are Further Ahead on Their Loans Than Before COVID. Here's What the RBA Data Actually Shows.

The RBA's March 2026 Financial Stability Review shows Australian households are further ahead on their loans than before the pandemic. Here's what the data means for borrowers.

Business Confidence Just Hit Pandemic Lows. The Economy Didn't.

Zero-Interest Government Loans Just Opened for Australian Businesses

The $1 billion Economic Resilience Program offers zero-interest, two-year loans to manufacturing and logistics businesses. Applications are open now through six major banks.

Used Ute and SUV Prices Have Dropped 10.7% in a Year. If You Need a Work Vehicle, the Market Is Moving Your Way.

Australia's Trade Surplus Doubled in February. Rural Exports Are Leading the Charge.

Australia’s trade surplus doubled to $5.69 billion in February. Meat exports surged 27%. What it means for rural and regional businesses.

Home Building Approvals Just Hit a 5-Year High. Here's What It Means for Buyers and Builders.

Full-Time Work Is Replacing Casual Jobs. Here's Why That Matters More Than a Pay Rise.

Australia's SME Economy Is Splitting in Two. Here's What Separates the Winners from the Strugglers.

59% of Australian SMEs expect growth while 36% forecast decline. The ScotPac SME Growth Index reveals the most polarised result in 12 years.

Nearly 1 in 6 New Cars Sold in March Was Electric

March 2026 saw 15,800+ EVs sold in Australia, 14.6% market share. BYD outsold Tesla. Here's what's driving the shift and what it means for car buyers.

ATO Issues 84,500 Director Penalty Notices as Tax Debt Enforcement Hits Post-Pandemic High

The ATO issued 84,529 Director Penalty Notices in 2024-25, up 136%. Australian businesses owe $105 billion. Here's what directors need to know.

$6.15 Billion in Government Finance Is About to Open for Australian Businesses

Minimum Wage Up, Award Rates Rising: Australian Workers Are Gaining Ground

Australia's minimum wage rose 3.5% from March 20 and Fair Work gender pay increases hit 13 awards from April 1. Here's what changed and what to do.

Rooftop Solar Now Outpowers Coal as Home Battery Demand Hits Record

Australia's 4.3M solar rooftops now outpower coal. Battery demand hits record as federal rebate changes on 1 May 2026.

BYD and Kia Crack Australia's Top 3 as New Brands Reshape the Market

BYD and Kia crack Australia's top 3 for the first time. China overtakes Japan as #1 source country. What it means for car buyers.

Australia's $242B Infrastructure Pipeline — Where the Money Is Going and Who Benefits

Australia's public infrastructure pipeline has hit a record $242 billion. Here's where the spending is concentrated, why workforce shortages are the real story, and what it means for businesses.

Australian Businesses Are Investing at the Highest Rate in Three Years

NAB's capex measure hit a three-year high. ABS expects $158B in business investment for 2026-27. Here's what it means for SMEs and asset finance.

EV Searches Triple in a Month as More Australians Make the Switch

EV searches on carsales almost tripled in a month. CommBank EV loans up 161%. Entry-level EVs start under $24K. Here's what's driving the shift.

Fuel Excise Halved From Tomorrow — What It Actually Saves You

The government has halved the fuel excise for three months — 26c/litre off petrol and diesel from 1 April. Here's what it saves households and businesses.

Your Savings Account Just Got a Raise — 5 Ways to Make Higher Rates Work for You

Australians Are Registering New Businesses at Record Pace — Here's What's Driving It

Australia–EU Trade Deal Signed — What It Means for Car and Equipment Buyers

The new Australia-EU free trade agreement removes the 5% tariff on European cars, lifts the Luxury Car Tax threshold for EVs, and slashes tariffs on European equipment and machinery.

EV Sales Nearly Double in Australia — And the Fuel Crisis Is Accelerating the Shift

EV sales hit 11.8% of Australia's new car market, nearly double last year. With petrol up more than 70c a litre, here's what it means for car buyers, finance options and pricing.

Payday Super Starts in 14 Weeks — 5 Things Business Owners Should Do Now

From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super every pay cycle instead of quarterly. Here are 5 things business owners should do before the deadline.

Power Bills Set to Drop Up to 10% From July — Here's What to Do Before Then

The AER has proposed electricity price cuts of up to 10% for households and 21% for small businesses from July 2026. Here's what the numbers look like and what to do before then.

Rising Fuel Costs and Back-to-Back Rate Hikes — What Business Owners Can Do Right Now

Petrol up 50c/L and back-to-back RBA rate hikes are squeezing Australian businesses. Here's the real cost and 6 things to do now.