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 $25 – the lowest the co-payment...
There are two ways of looking at the performance of Australia’s stock market for 2025: half full or half empty. The ASX200 on Tuesday afternoon was on track to deliver a 6.7 per cent return for the year, or 10.3 per cent when including dividends. But the...
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 wealth gap a “national tragedy”. The “dramatic increase” in wealth...
More women in leadership, a narrowing pay gap and superannuation added to paid parental leave are among the gender equality wins notched by Australia in 2025. Yet advocates say momentum needs to build in 2026 towards achieving true equality, with women still over-represented in part-time, low...
Streaming video is taking up more of our screen time, working from home still commands the most uploads, and Australia is clawing up the worldwide broadband speed rankings. Children may be leaving social media but broadband downloads are rising in Australia, and Queenslanders continue to use...
Pet owners are being urged to rein in their desire to share festive treats with their furry friends as many foods can pose serious health risks. While many steer clear of giving their dogs chocolate, other foods can be equally as toxic, Lort Smith Animal Hospital’s...
With bumper Boxing Day sales under way, shoppers are being cautioned to closely track prices to ensure they’re getting genuine bargains not illusory offers. Two major airlines have also added to the December 26 bargain hunt early on, announcing hundreds of thousands of discounted flights. The total...
When it comes to investing, one of the most important – and often overlooked – factors is your attitude towards risk. Investment risk is not just about market volatility or potential losses; it’s about how you react when markets rise and fall. Understanding your personal tolerance...
Retirement means different things to different people. For some, it’s about slowing down and enjoying well-earned rest. For others, it’s a new chapter filled with travel, community involvement, learning, or even launching a passion project. There is no single definition of the “ideal” retirement — and...
There’s a moment many parents aren’t prepared for. The bedroom door stays open, but the bed is neatly made. The car that once filled the driveway is gone. The daily rhythms of school runs, packed lunches, late-night talks, and background noise suddenly fall away. Becoming an...