Client Area

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy.

Jim Chalmers welcomes OECD prediction RBA has reached interest rate peak

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has welcomed a projection by the OECD that the Reserve Bank has probably reached its interest rate peak but played down the prospect of the government posting a second successive budget surplus.

$392 million Industry Growth Program open for business

The Australian government has launched a $392 million Industry Growth Program to help start-ups and small businesses commercialise and grow their companies.

New insights on barriers to innovation highlight Australia’s missing band of medium-sized businesses

Improving Australia’s capacity to be resilient and to grow the economy requires more innovative small businesses scaling up to medium-sized businesses, according to a new report released by Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA).

Black Friday no “be all and end all” for sales as marketing costs bite

November is often dubbed the new December of retail sales with Black Friday as the jewel in the online crown, but the market has become more saturated in the past year with an increased cost of consumer acquisition.

Understanding Australia’s declining R&D performance

The rate of both business and government R&D has declined over the last decade, despite it being a time when technological change is accelerating. This decline is also an Australian problem, as rates have been stable or increasing in our advanced economy peers. So, what’s going wrong? This Research Note examines the dynamics of Australia’s business R&D performance and focuses on business R&D which accounts for just over half of the national total.

The 40-year-old change that has made the Reserve Bank’s job easier

This month marks the 40th birthday of the floating Aussie dollar, which has helped us steer through some huge crises. But what is it? And how does it help?

ChatGPT celebrates one year: A year of breakthroughs in conversational AI

On November 30, we celebrated the first anniversary of ChatGPT, marking a year filled with remarkable progress since its initial introduction in the research preview phase.

The Australian goose that lays the (multi-billion dollar) iron ore eggs

China’s demand for Australia’s iron ore is the gift which keeps on giving. It took off in the second half of 2005 and has helped to deliver the Australian economy an amazing $1.2 trillion since then.

Major cruise company to pull some ships from Melbourne ports over tax hike

A major cruise ship company will pull two of its largest brands from Melbourne ports to protest an “unreasonable” tax hike. Carnival Australia’s Princess Cruises and Cunard will instead visit other interstate docks from 2025, in a move that will likely have a major impact on the state’s tourism economy.

Get in touch

Contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss the next steps for your business.

Related Post

member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 16 Dec 2025

Scam Calls Regarding SMSF Trustee Obligations

We recently posted an article about running an SMSF and trustee obligations.  Further to that, it has been confirmed that the ATO will never call clients directly to discuss their …

Read More… from Scam Calls Regarding SMSF Trustee Obligations

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 09 Dec 2025

Know the Rules Before You Break Them: Why SMSF Education Matters More Than Ever

Running, or deciding to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) gives you control, but it also brings legal responsibilities. The Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA) contains detailed rules on trustee …

Read More… from Know the Rules Before You Break Them: Why SMSF Education Matters More Than Ever

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 08 Dec 2025

Super on Payday: Fundamental Changes for Employers

If you run a business, you already know the juggling act that comes with managing the payroll process — paying staff on time, managing cash flow, and staying compliant. From …

Read More… from Super on Payday: Fundamental Changes for Employers

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 02 Dec 2025

The ATO has holiday homeowners in its sights

The ATO is toughening its approach to deductions related to properties used for both personal and rental purposes, such as holiday homes. The regulator has issued a draft taxation ruling …

Read More… from The ATO has holiday homeowners in its sights

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 13 Nov 2025

Metrics to measure business progress

Here are 5 important metrics to pay attention to when it comes to the success of your business, including ways you can improve them. 1. Gross margin Gross margin is …

Read More… from Metrics to measure business progress

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 06 Nov 2025

A guide for effective cash flow management

An up-to-date business cash flow forecast can help you manage your business more efficiently. It’s an estimate of the amount of money you expect to flow in and out of …

Read More… from A guide for effective cash flow management

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 30 Oct 2025

Significant changes to Division 296 tax

On 13 October 2025 the Federal Treasurer announced some significant changes to the design of the proposed Division 296 tax. Some of the key changes are: Introduction of a second …

Read More… from Significant changes to Division 296 tax

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 13 Oct 2025

Payday Super legislation introduced

On 9 October 2025 the Government introduced the Payday Super legislation into Parliament. The new system is proposed to take effect from 1 July 2026 and will basically ensure that …

Read More… from Payday Super legislation introduced

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 11 Jul 2025

ATO is assessing a business’ ability to pay

‘Business viability’ is whether a business is surviving. This survival is linked to its financial position and performance. A business is viable where either: it’s returning enough of a profit …

Read More… from ATO is assessing a business’ ability to pay

Read More
member-img
Posted by Strategic Wealth Management 23 Jun 2025

Your top 5 work from home questions

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has discreetly bumped the fixed rate work from home deduction. Taxpayers can now claim 70 cents per work hour under the revised fixed cost method. …

Read More… from Your top 5 work from home questions

Read More

Contact Us

Our office is located in Hurstville. Parking is available under our building. We are a short 750m walk from Hurstville train station.

Postal address: PO Box 497 Hurstville BC, NSW 1481