Australian economy stories
British small businesses may cut card processing costs as Zeller enters a crowded market with more than 100 early UK sign-ups.
Australian accommodation operators may soon face higher payment costs as a card surcharge ban pushes them towards bank-to-bank alternatives.
AI adoption is widening a gap among Australian SMEs, with users growing 2.8 times faster and many others still holding back.
Many firms could struggle to survive owners’ retirement, as most lack a documented handover plan and depend on the founder’s reputation.
Employers are rewarding office presence with higher salaries and bonuses as hybrid staff risk falling behind on pay and progression.
Nearly half of Australian SMEs still avoid AI, but uptake is rising as firms use it mainly to cut admin and save time.
Older staff are holding back AI adoption at work, with trust among 55 to 64-year-olds far below that of 18 to 24-year-olds in Australia.
Higher fuel and power costs are intensifying cash-flow strains for smaller firms, with CreditorWatch warning insolvencies may rise over 12 months.
Businesses are paying more for faster freight as fuel levies jumped and late same-day deliveries hit 30 per cent in Australia.
Households and firms are facing renewed cost-of-living pressure, with petrol prices driving sentiment to levels last seen during the GFC and pandemic.
AI is becoming more visible in Australian recruitment, but government hiring still lags and overall job patterns remain largely unchanged.
Australia could miss AI investment unless it tackles power, cooling and land for data centres, Logicalis says.
The appointment comes as Australia’s fintech sector pushes for rules that could lift its economic contribution from $13.6 billion to $38 billion by 2035.
Tight cashflow is forcing many smaller firms to blur business and household finances, with 78% of leaders using personal cards for expenses.
Office landlords face rising vacancies and tenant stress, while industrial property stays resilient on tight supply and stronger demand.
Australian small businesses could trim fixed payments and software costs with Zeller's AUD $199 Terminal 1x, pitched against Square and Tyro.
Apartment approvals drove a February rebound in Australian homebuilding, but higher interest rates and energy costs now threaten builders' margins.
Checkout prices should become clearer for Australian shoppers as the Reserve Bank bans surcharges and trims card fees from October.
Australia could lift wages and jobs if robotics uptake broadens beyond mining and agriculture, according to new modelling.
Weaker loyalty and lower confidence are pushing most shoppers to compare prices across stores, with 67% splitting purchases to find value.