Photo By Headway More COVID-19 business grants are now tax-free The Federal Government has expanded the list of State and Territory COVID-19 grant programs that may be tax-free to eligible businesses. A State or Territory Government COVID-19 grant payment will generally be tax-free if: the payment is received under a grant program that is formally declared to be an eligible program; the recipient carried on a business and had an…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Consensus emerging on how to fill gaps in the workforce Big business is calling for a two-year boost to the annual migration intake of 220,000 for all jobs earning more than $90,000. Qantas optimistic despite posting loss Qantas revealed its full-year results last week – a $1.86 billion loss.…  Read more

It’s an inevitability in every business – you have to raise your prices to continue making a profit. There are many factors that go into deciding how much to charge, all of which are dynamic. The rising cost of goods, inflation, and a changing market are just a few reasons why any small business has to reevaluate its rates regularly to stay competitive (and to stay in business). While it…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Sellers still making massive profits despite interest rate rises New data from PropTrack has revealed the suburbs where sellers are still making a lot of money off of selling their homes. As interest rates started to climb in May, property values have decreased, but some areas are holding steady.…  Read more

The process of onboarding employees is often lengthy, but it’s important. New hires need to learn your company’s culture, policies, and procedures. You also need to get some critical information from them so that they can legally work for you. The onboarding process is typically long and a little dry. It may include training, equipment distribution, benefits orientation, and security policies, just to name a few. There are many benefits…  Read more

There comes a time for every small business to raise their prices. While it may seem scary, remember that it’s your job to keep prices fair, both for you and your customers. That means you have to charge prices that work for you and allow you to remain in business. Read on for six reasons to raise your prices. Your costs have grown The thing about inflation is that everyone…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Economist predicts rising interest rates will soon finally ease Independent economist Saul Eslake predicts that interest rates will settle somewhere around 2.5% by the end of the year. Vegetable prices set to get back on track Growers are reporting that they are starting to catch up after flooding devastated…  Read more

It seems that every news outlet is sounding the alarm about high inflation these days. While it might sound like it’s time to panic, you don’t have to. With a few adjustments, you can handily fight off inflation and possibly even benefit from the current economic climate. Read on to discover 5 ways you can combat inflation and make your money work harder for you. Find out what you spend…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Markets continue to wobble The ASX followed Wall Street’s shaky lead last week, closing flat. Traders are reacting to a handful of uncertainties including surging inflation, recession fears, ongoing supply chain issues, and record low unemployment. What rising interest rates mean for those who don’t have a mortgage It’s…  Read more

August 2022 Tax time focus on rental property income and deductions The ATO is focusing on four major concerns this tax season when it comes to rental properties. Concern 1: Include all rental income When preparing tax returns, make sure all rental income is included, such as from short-term rental arrangements, renting part of a home, and other rental-related income like insurance payouts and rental bond money retained. Concern 2:…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Business Council suggests rebranding to entice overseas workers To help weather the storm of high inflation, supply chain issues, and a skilled worker shortfall, Business Council of Australia released a paper proposing we “rebrand” to convince foreign workers to relocate here and help the economy. Economy in trouble as…  Read more

When you start a business, you’re typically your only employee and payroll is about as simple as it gets. But as you grow, you hopefully find yourself in the position of needing to take on more employees. Before you know it, what was once a very straightforward task becomes a giant undertaking that’s sucking up most of your time. This is when it makes sense to outsource your payroll. While…  Read more

When you think of financial planning, you probably imagine ways to increase your wealth, such as making a budget, reviewing what’s coming in and going out, and creating a plan for how to make the most of your money. You may think of investing in stocks or bonds, or of starting a retirement fund. Perhaps you think of saving for a major expense, like a home or education for your…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Mortgage payment struggles lie ahead for homeowners RBA Deputy Governor Michelle Bullock estimates that 30 percent of homeowners will struggle to make mortgage payments as interest rates rise. Payment increases of 40 percent may be seen among homeowners who took advantage of record low fixed rates just five years…  Read more

Most people need some help when it comes to financial planning and investing. That’s when we turn to financial advisors. With many options available, it’s important to ensure you choose a financial advisor that you can trust and feel comfortable with. So what are some signs that a financial advisor is a good fit for you? Here are some things to look for when deciding who is best for you…  Read more

Most companies need a website to conduct their business, but it’s also a critical piece of the puzzle in attracting amazing team members. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your website is always making a great impression, so you can attract great people to join your team. 1. Think of your website as your storefront These days, your website is the online face of your…  Read more

20 07 2022 Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. 20-year comparison shows how drastically the housing market has changed At the turn of the millennium, the median age of first-time homebuyers was 24.5 years, with mortgages generally taken out on 20-year terms. Today, the median age has risen by at least ten years and 30-year…  Read more

Complaints are an unfortunate part of running a business, but they do happen. No matter how hard you work to please your clients, eventually someone will have something negative to say. However, with the right approach, you can turn complaints into a useful tool to strengthen your business. Here are 6 tips to effectively responding to complaints: 1. Remember that this is not an argument The reason that a client…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Many air travellers stranded as airports see busiest days since the beginning of the pandemic A significant portion of the airline workforce is recovering from COVID-19 or the flu, making flight delays and cancellations increasingly common. Doctors urge 4th shot as COVID-19 cases rise again As a new Omicron…  Read more

ATO’s small business focus for 2022 income year The ATO announced that it will be focussing on the following matters for small business tax returns for the 2021/22 year: Deductions that are private in nature and not related to business income, as well as overclaiming of business expenses (especially for taxpayers running a home-based business). Omission of business income (e.g., income from the sharing economy or new business ventures). Record…  Read more

When it comes to your finances, it’s a good idea to check in on your progress periodically, to see if any adjustments to your budget or changes in your habits are necessary. Even if you’ve set your budget for the year, you may learn a new strategy or have a priority come up suddenly that causes you to shift your thinking. Here are ways to take stock of your finances,…  Read more