Business Update – 30 May 2023

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

‘Most significant’ scam targeting Aussies

Scammers have taken advantage of the secondhand sale market by using a PayID scam to steal over $260,000. The scam involves the scammers creating fake PayID accounts and using them to receive payments from unsuspecting buyers. This has caused a hit to the secondhand sale market, as buyers are now more cautious when making payments.

Economist warn RBA could lose control of cash rate

An economist has warned that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) could lose control of the cash rate if it continues to cut interest rates. This could lead to a situation where the RBA is unable to raise rates to combat inflation, leading to a potential economic crisis.

Rising Rental Prices Cause Cost of Living Crisis Across the Nation – Up to $600 a Week Increase Reported in Some Areas

Rental prices across Australia have been increasing rapidly, with some areas seeing an increase of up to $600 a week. This has caused a cost of living crisis for many Australians, with the situation becoming increasingly dire.

Imagine a long weekend, every week. Are Australians ready for a four-day work week?

Australia is considering introducing a four-day work week, with the same pay, to improve work-life balance and productivity. The proposal has been met with both support and criticism, with some arguing it could lead to job losses and reduced wages. The government is currently exploring the idea and will make a decision in the near future.

The rules for Afterpay, Zip and other ‘buy now, pay later’ providers are changing. What it means for you, and them

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers such as Afterpay and Zip are becoming increasingly popular, but new regulations are being introduced to protect consumers. These regulations include caps on late fees, limits on spending and more transparency about the cost of using BNPL services. Consumers should be aware of these changes to ensure they are using BNPL services responsibly.

Big Change to Aussie student loans

The Australian Government has changed the repayment thresholds for HELP loans due to inflation, meaning that those earning over $45,881 will now have to start repaying their loans. This change will affect over 1.2 million Australians and will help to reduce the national debt.