After rising steadily for more than two years, the average time that Australians have to wait to receive a new car has been trending down for six months. The average waiting time rose from 34 days in June 2020 to 159 days in August 2022 and then fell to 131 days in February 2023, according … Read more
With vacancy rates low and rents growing strongly, the market is crying out for more property investors, to increase rental supply and put downward pressure on demand. But are investors getting out of, rather than into, the market? There are mixed signals, according to Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee. On the one hand, Ms … Read more
At the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) March board meeting, it opted to raise the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points. This takes the cash rate to 3.6%, 3.5 percentage points higher than this time last year. As interest rates have increased over the last 10 months, many homeowners have been looking for ways to … Read more
There’s been no improvement in the time in which big businesses pay their small business suppliers, according to the newest data from the Payment Times Reporting Regulator. The regulator recently released its latest half-yearly report – the third in its history since the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 was legislated – and revealed that payment … Read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia has provided businesses with mixed news in its latest series of economic forecasts out to the June 2025 quarter. On the one hand, the Reserve Bank has forecast: the economy will keep growing until June 2025. unemployment will remain low over the next three years. inflation peaked in December 2022 … Read more
With domestic travel booming and inbound tourism gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, one of Australia’s leading commercial property experts believes investors may want to take a fresh look at accommodation assets. Ray White Commercial Head of Research Vanessa Rader said Australia enjoyed a busy summer holiday period, with both domestic and international travel sharply increasing … Read more
As of 1 February, paid family and domestic violence leave has become available to employees of businesses with more than 15 staff. This leave entitlement – which will also become available to employees of smaller businesses from 1 August – allows employees to access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a … Read more
In its first meeting of 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today raised the cash rate for the ninth consecutive time. It increased from 3.1% to 3.35% as the bank continues to attempt to ease rising inflation. While this can impact borrowing power of prospective home buyers, the positive news for anyone looking to … Read more
The federal government has extended funding for two support programs for small business owners. The first program is NewAccess for Small Business Owners. This program is: Aimed at small business owners who are feeling stressed or overwhelmed Run by specially trained mental health coaches with a small business background Available nationally by phone or video call, … Read more
The Australian Taxation Office has responded to feedback from trustees and their advisors by issuing guidance on trust reimbursement agreements. The guidance, which relates to reimbursement agreements where section 100A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 may apply, will not affect “the vast majority of small businesses operating through a trust”, according to the … Read more
