At the close of 2024, Cotality, the company formerly known as CoreLogic, reported that both the national dwelling value to income ratio and the income percentage needed for a new mortgage hit unprecedented highs. According to Cotality's housing report for July, the median dwelling value in Australia's capital cities was $926,854. Sydney and Brisbane, with median values of $1,228,435 and $934,623, respectively, were noted as the most expensive markets, reflecting impressive growth over the past five years. - read more
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has aligned with a coalition of business groups urging the government to cut red tape ahead of the Economic Reform Roundtable hosted by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. The 27-member strong alliance is pushing for reforms that focus on increasing investment, fostering innovation, reducing red tape by 25% by 2030, and enhancing major project approvals. Additionally, they are advocating for tax reforms that won't adversely impact consumer or business costs. - read more
Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made its third rate cut this year, lowering the official cash rate by 0.25% to 3.60%. Historically, such rate reductions have been linked to a significant rise in Australian home values, with double-digit growth expected within two years of the start of a rate-cutting cycle, according to the Australian Financial Review. - read more
In a recent financial disclosure, Bell Financial Group (BFG) announced a notable 44% drop in half-year net profit after tax as it navigates challenging market conditions. While the company's overall revenue declined by 12.5% to $121.5 million, its Technology & Platforms and Products & Services units showed resilience with a combined revenue increase of 12% to $46.3 million. This contrasts sharply with the 23.5% revenue dip in its broking division, which totalled $69.4 million. - read more
The evolving landscape of private credit funds in Australia necessitates greater responsibility from self-directed investors, according to Darren Connolly, the Chief Executive of Investment Markets. As the landscape of fixed income investments becomes increasingly complex, investors are being urged to take ownership of their decision-making processes. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently made a pivotal decision to cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 0.25%, bringing it down to 3.60%. This move marks a total reduction of 0.75% from its peak of 4.35%. Economists and financial markets anticipate further cuts, potentially two more by mid-2026, reflecting a cautious easing policy by the RBA. - read more
As financial planners await forthcoming updates to the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) legislation, many are grappling with significant challenges arising from the first tranche, specifically concerning fee consent requirements. These issues, unfortunately, seem to require legislative amendments as they fall outside the scope of regulatory fixes, amplifying the compliance burden on financial advisers, especially regarding breach reporting. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has recently initiated a 0.25% cut to the official cash rate, stirring dialogue among industry leaders about the timing and necessity of potential future cuts. Despite the reduction aligning with broad expectations, there are diverging opinions about further reductions this year. - read more
Charlie Viola, executive chairman of Viola Private Wealth, recently highlighted a promising opportunity for financial institutions to better serve the mass affluent market. Despite the recent trends stemming from the royal commission that have seen personnel changes across the financial advisory sector, Viola asserts that there remains a strong clientele base. The financial advisory business, he notes, benefits from a steady stream of increasingly wealthy individuals, but the challenge lies in effectively serving those with moderate wealth. - read more
Melbourne's property landscape offers a distinctive picture compared to Australia's major cities, with a notably stable market over recent years. PropTrack data shows the city's median dwelling values increased only 19.2% over the past five years, trailing significantly behind the combined capital cities' average rise of 45.5%. - read more
The Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) is expanding its approved specialisations program, which currently includes areas such as aged care, life risk, and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP). The organisation is now seeking applications from education and designation providers to broaden the program's scope. New areas of interest include estate planning, retirement, money therapy, self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF), and responsible investing, though additional relevant specialisations are also welcome. - read more
The Australian dollar is navigating turbulent times, influenced by global currency markets and ongoing inflationary pressures. With market sentiment swaying, the Aussie dollar finds itself in a precarious position, significantly impacted by anticipated tariffs and inflation reports. This period of uncertainty emerges as the US Dollar Index (DXY) shows indecision, metals markets react to geopolitical developments, and overall market volatility remains high. - read more
Australia's housing market is grappling with stark increases in land costs, which are driving home prices to unprecedented heights. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that residential land values surged by 8.8% between 2023 and 2024, reaching a staggering $7.7 trillion. Over the past 35 years, these values have ballooned from 1.1 to 2.9 times the nation's GDP. - read more
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has recently increased its oversight of KeyInvest, a financial services firm renowned for its funeral bond product, by imposing additional licence conditions and raising the capital requirement. This decision follows an APRA review identifying deficiencies in KeyInvest’s risk management framework and questioning the board's effectiveness in maintaining strategic oversight. - read more
As property prices continue to soar across Australia, first-time homebuyers are facing an increasingly challenging market. High-end properties exhibit greater volatility, responding sharply to interest rate changes, as illustrated by CBA data comparing the price fluctuations of the most costly and least expensive homes. Recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) have fueled a rise in property prices, yet costlier homes have not seen as much growth as more affordable ones. - read more
Global financial markets displayed varied performances overnight, with Wall Street experiencing a minor rebound that failed to recover from Friday night's losses. The US dollar remained under pressure, gaining some ground only against the Swiss Franc, as the Federal Reserve's potential early rate cut looms larger. Concurrently, US Treasury yields continued their downward trajectory across all maturities, whereas the Australian dollar held steady just below 65 cents. - read more
Australia is gearing up for a shift in the real estate landscape, with industry insiders identifying an emerging seller's market. Sydney's real estate agent and auctioneer, Tom Panos, highlighted this trend after observing a string of exceptionally strong auction results. - read more
Many older Australians are increasingly struggling to understand the reverse mortgage market, according to recent research and inquiry records from the national brokerage, Seniors First. This complexity is evidenced by a threefold rise in inquiries from Australians over 60 during the past two years, largely driven by concerns over living costs, misconceptions about the products, and inadequate access to information. - read more
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, tips, tricks, resources and information.
Bad credit, often resulting from late payments, high debt levels, or other financial missteps, can feel like a major roadblock. It typically means that your credit score falls below a certain threshold and may reflect a history of financial challenges. - read more
In the landscape of modern finance, credit scores can often feel like gatekeepers to our goals, barring or granting access to essential funding when we need it most. The truth is, debt is as common as it is complex, threading through the lives of many with silent tenacity. Understanding its prevalence is the first step in navigating the choppy financial waters it can create. - read more
Smart budgeting is the cornerstone of financial health. It helps you understand where your money is going and empowers you to make informed financial decisions. In Australia, like everywhere else, a well-managed budget can significantly improve your quality of life and financial stability. - read more
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending you money. - read more
When it comes to borrowing money, whether it's for personal use or for your small business, understanding interest rates is paramount. An interest rate, simply put, is the cost you pay to borrow money. It's typically expressed as a percentage of the principal amount you're loaned. This fee is how lenders earn on the funds they lend and is a key component you should consider before signing a loan agreement. - read more
Imagine being hit with an unexpected expense like a car repair or medical bill. Without a financial buffer, such surprises can wreak havoc on your budget. This is where an emergency fund plays its heroic role. - read more
Credit scores play a crucial role in your financial life, influencing your ability to access loans, credit cards, and even housing rentals. In Australia, your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, which lenders use to assess the risk of lending to you. - read more
Welcome to our blog! For young families, securing your future often requires careful planning and prudent financial decisions. One of the most crucial steps you can take in this journey is creating a financial safety net. - read more
Financial freedom is the ability to live life without being burdened by the stress of money woes. Imagine having enough savings to cover emergencies, living comfortably without constant financial anxiety, and even planning for retirement confidently. This is the goal many Australians strive for – a peaceful and secure life that isn't dominated by worries about bills and debt. - read more
Need Help Finding a Loan?
All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We
respect your
privacy.
Knowledgebase
Index Fund: A type of mutual fund designed to replicate the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500.
