Unemployment Rate Improves in July

The jobs market saw a net increase of nearly 25,000 positions, driven by a surge of 60,000 full-time roles. Female workforce participation reached a record high, with 40,000 additional full-time female workers, while overall participation held steady at 67 per cent. The headline result was broadly in line with forecasts…

Share Market Slips as Investors Take a Breath

The S&PASX 200 fell 17.3 points, or 0.2 per cent and the broader All Ordinaries Index also slipped 0.2 per cent. Six out of the 11 industry sectors ended the day in negative territory. Despite the overall decline, the Australian dollar strengthened, buoyed by a larger-than-expected trade surplus. It climbed…

Australians Spent Much More Than Expected in June

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…

Foreign Students Not to Blame for Rising Rents

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…

10 Core Functions of an Integrated Accounting Firm

Author: Clarity Street At Clarity Street, we believe that a firm’s tech stack should not just be a collection of tools — it should be a strategically aligned ecosystem. One that empowers teams to work smarter, not harder, by reducing friction, improving visibility, and delivering a better client experience at every…

Interest Rate Cut Likely After Unemployment Rises

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…

Gold and Real Estate Stocks Slide Amid Tensions

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,…

ASX at Record High on Interest Rate Cut Optimism

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…

Audit Shield claims activity across Australia Jul 24 – Jun 25

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…

Aussies Rely on Refunds Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis

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…