Property
National home price hit a new record high in 2025
8 January
Entering the property market just got a bit harder after the national home price reached a record $880,000. The new high in December followed monthly growth of 0.1 per cent, and growth of 8.8 per cent over the year, the PropTrack report released on...[Read More]
Rates hike still on the table despite softer inflation
8 January
A softer-than-expected inflation result will boost the case for the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady, but there’s still plenty in the detail to suggest a February hike remains in play. Headline inflation slowed from 3.8 per cent to 3.4...[Read More]
Weaker housing market tipped as rate hike fears mount
8 January
The housing market is tipped to start weaker in 2026 with confidence dented by fears the Reserve Bank’s next move will be a rate hike, a leading property data provider says. Cotality’s national Home Value Index recorded the smallest gain in five...[Read More]
Home approvals surge but affordability still an issue
8 January
Home approvals in Australia have surged to a three-and-a-half year high but construction challenges will continue to constrain progress on housing affordability. The number of dwellings approved for construction jumped 15.2 per cent to 18,406 in...[Read More]
One-in-five solar panels degrading faster than expected
7 January
Most solar panels gradually lose their energy-generating powers over time, but roughly a fifth have been found to degrade much more quickly than expected. Tiny hairline cracks and other minor manufacturing flaws missed during quality control testing...[Read More]
Financial security: four key strategies to safeguard your financial future
1 January
Financial stability doesn’t usually come by chance; it requires preparation and strategy. Most of us depend on a steady paycheck, but few consider what would happen if it disappeared suddenly. Protecting yourself against financial disaster means...[Read More]
Some steps you can take if you are struggling to make mortgage repayments?
1 January
Owning a home is a significant milestone. However, the financial responsibility of mortgage repayments can be daunting for some homeowners. In times of financial difficulty, it’s essential to find ways to manage your mortgage and avoid defaulting...[Read More]
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
1 January
When Australians wake up to a new year, changes to government payments and policies will impact the finances of millions of households. From Thursday, the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be slashed from $31.60 to...[Read More]
Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young
1 January
Is the wealth gap between old and young Australians becoming a gulf? Former federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry has declared young workers are being “robbed” by the tax system, while ex-Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas calls the intergenerational...[Read More]
Tips for making the most of your solar panels
25 December
Solar energy offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to powering your home, 12-volt setup, or caravan. The benefits of harnessing the sun’s energy are substantial, ranging from reduced electricity bills to minimising your carbon...[Read More]
RBA reveals what’s needed to avert rate hikes in 2026
25 December
By the end of January Australians should have a clearer picture of whether they can expect interest rate hikes next year. Quarterly inflation data, due to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on January 28, will confirm or allay...[Read More]
2025: The year the world chose direction
18 December
History rarely announces itself in dramatic bursts. More often, it reveals itself through quiet turning points — moments when trends harden into realities and choices can no longer be postponed. 2025 was one of those years. It did not deliver a...[Read More]
How to celebrate Christmas meaningfully with your family and friends
18 December
Creating a Christmas filled with genuine warmth and joy often seems like a daunting task amidst the hustle of holiday preparations. The season of cheer can quickly turn into a flurry of stress, leaving many of us more relieved than regretful when...[Read More]
Plea for spending cuts as banks tip interest rate hikes
18 December
Economists have urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to show greater spending restraint to take some heat out of the economy and spare Australians from more interest rate hikes. With the economy already pushing up against its speed limit, a modest recovery...[Read More]
Six figures or out: income needed for typical rental
18 December
Australian households on less than six-figure incomes are struggling to make rent for a typical capital city house, underscoring the depth of the nation’s housing affordability challenge. To afford the median rental house, a household must earn...[Read More]