Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, retail sales surged by 1.2 per cent. This was a stark contrast to the modest rises of 0.5 per cent in May, signalling a notable shift in spending behaviour. Australians were snapping up discounted clothing, footwear, and household goods, leading to higher-than-expected sales figures across…

Despite a surge in international student arrivals in recent years, the RBA’s latest Bulletin finds their overall impact on rental markets and inflationary pressures has been modest. The report examines how foreign student numbers shifted during and after the pandemic, noting a sharp decline in 2020–21 when Australia’s borders were…

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The jobless rate rose to 4.3 per cent, marking a notable shift from the near-record lows observed since the pandemic recovery. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed a net employment increase of 2,000 positions in June. Part-time roles grew by 40,000 and full-time employment by…

Investor sentiment was shaken by the Reserve Bank of Australia’s unexpected decision to keep interest rates on hold, as well as escalating trade tensions led by the United States. The S&P/ASX 200 index slipped by 52.10 points, ending the session at 8538.6. Real estate stocks declined by 1.7 per cent,…

This came after softer-than-anticipated retail sales data suggested consumers are still holding back on spending. This added pressure on the central bank to take further action to support economic momentum.  The S&P/ASX 200 rose by 56.6 points, or 0.7 per cent, finishing the day at 8597.70. This figure was a…

Trends and Insights from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025   Each year, thousands of public practice accountants across Australia rely on Audit Shield to manage the financial risk of audit activity initiated by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other government revenue authorities.  The claims submitted through Audit…

With the financial squeeze showing little sign of easing, millions of Australians are depending on their upcoming tax return to help them navigate another tough financial year. According to fresh findings from comparison site Finder, around 47 per cent of Australians are expecting a refund after July 1. But instead…

This marks a shift following two months of strong employment gains and adds weight to the growing expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may proceed with another interest rate cut in July. According to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the unemployment rate held steady…

The S&P ASX 200 index fell 27 points, or 0.3 per cent. The day began with optimism but turned volatile as trade worries re-emerged. Trump’s comments signaled a possible escalation in global tariffs within a fortnight, particularly with China. These fears pulled investor focus away from risk, leading to declines…