Download IPFS Australia’s credit repair industry faces intensified scrutiny as the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) launches a sweeping review of debt management providers. The regulatory probe targets firms suspected of charging excessive fees, delivering inadequate services, and failing vulnerable consumers. With approximately 100 licensed operators under examination, ASIC[Read More…]

Download IPFS The collapse of David Venn Enterprises, which owed over $7.5 million at the time of liquidation, has exposed deeper cracks in Australia’s entertainment sector. Once hailed for its creative flair and commercial promise, the industry is now grappling with post-pandemic recovery challenges, high production costs, and dwindling investor[Read More…]

Download IPFS Millions in bank refunds ordered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) provide temporary relief but no real solution to Australia’s housing affordability crisis. ANZ, Westpac, and Bendigo Bank must repay $60 million to 770,000 low-income customers after charging excessive fees, adding to last year’s $33 million[Read More…]

Download IPFS New research from the University of South Australia has found that two basic financial habits: regular saving and timely credit card repayment  are strongly associated with improved mental health outcomes. The findings highlight how personal finance behaviour can have measurable psychological benefits, underscoring the value of financial responsibility[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australians have increasingly turned to their savings as escalating mortgage expenses place household budgets under pressure. New data released in June shows that the total value of home loans spiked by AUD17.7 billion, driven by a lending surge following two Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cash rate reductions[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia’s initial public offering (IPO) market shows signs of cooling after an energetic start to the year. While successful listings like Virgin Australia and Guzman y Gomez initially fueled optimism, emerging concerns about pricing risks, interest rate volatility, and geopolitical instability have dampened enthusiasm. Market analysts now predict[Read More…]

Download IPFS The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) closed the week slightly lower as concerns over global trade tensions and rising inflation in the United States outweighed local optimism. The S&P/ASX 200 index dipped by 0.1 percent for the week, closing at 8662 on Friday, retreating from an early session fall[Read More…]

Download IPFS Financial counsellors are urging the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to provide greater flexibility for individuals and small businesses facing mounting tax debts, amid a surge in calls to national debt support services. Recent ATO data shows that small businesses are responsible for more than 65% of the total[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia’s mortgage lending surged in June, with total new loans climbing by $17.7 billion, according to data from financial comparison site Canstar. This marks one of the sharpest monthly increases in recent years and signals renewed strength in the housing market following two earlier cash rate cuts by[Read More…]

Download IPFS Thousands of Australians hoping to buy a home or refinance remain blocked from accessing more affordable loans, after the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) confirmed it would maintain its 3 per cent mortgage serviceability buffer. The rule requires lenders to assess borrowers’ ability to repay loans at an[Read More…]