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Small Loans Australia Weekly News Wrap: The Essentials

Each week, this show brings a clear, plain-English recap of the biggest Australian stories shaping consumer rules, cost-of-living, small business conditions and policy changes. We sort the noise, highlight what’s changed, and explain why it matters for everyday Australians, small operators and the self-employed. Trusted, neutral and repeatable, it’s your steady check-in for context, practical takeaways and credible sources—so you can stay informed and make confident decisions.

This Week:

Paige Estritori recaps the week: ASIC cracks down on unlicensed ‘finfluencers; the ACCCs Federal Court action over supermarket discounting and what it means for household budgets; fresh research showing most Australians feel no better off financially; and a small win for savers, with no-conditions accounts offering around 5.5% p.a. Practical tips focus on comparing essentials, using licensed lenders with transparent fees, borrowing only whats needed, and building a small emergency buffer. Listeners are invited to start a free small loan assessment at small-loans.com.au.

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EPISODE 1692 | Small Loans Australia Weekly News Wrap: The Essentials | Sun, 26th Apr 2026

27 Apr 2026 | Paige Estritori

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APRA's New Home Loan Caps: What Borrowers Need to Know
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ASIC's Investigation into Private Lending: Key Findings and Implications
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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the private lending sector, uncovering several areas of concern. The investigation revealed inconsistent and unclear reporting, downplayed risks, opaque fee structures, conflicts of interest, and poor valuation practices within the industry. - read more
New Government Support: Concessional Loans for Drought-Affected Farmers
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In response to the escalating fuel crisis impacting small businesses across Australia, the federal government has unveiled a $1 billion interest-free loan program. This initiative, part of the National Reconstruction Fund's economic resilience program, is designed to provide immediate financial relief to sectors heavily affected by rising fuel costs, including freight, fuel, and fertiliser businesses. - read more
Specialist Lenders Extend Support to SMEs Amid Fuel Price Surge
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As fuel prices continue to escalate, placing significant financial pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), specialist lenders such as Prospa and Judo Bank have stepped forward to offer tailored support solutions. These initiatives aim to assist businesses in managing cash flow challenges arising from increased operational costs. - read more
Government Accelerates $6.15 Billion in Business Support Amid Global Challenges
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Australian Home Loan Sizes Hit Record Highs in 2026
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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
Australian Credit Card Spending Sees Significant Increase
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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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Knowledgebase
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV):
A ratio that compares the value of the loan to the market value of the property securing the loan.


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