Queensland holds WorkCover rates
07 April 2025
The Queensland government says it will freeze WorkCover premiums for the next financial year...
Regulatory & Government
NZ cracks down on cowboy tradies amid red tape cuts
07 April 2025
New Zealand has changed its licensing rules for electrical workers, plumbers, gas fitters and drain layers, and says more reforms will follow to “crack down on cowboy builders”...
icare invites funding bids for dust disease research
07 April 2025
NSW state insurer icare says applications are open for its dust disease research grant scheme...
Industry appreciates depth of cyclone pool inquiry report
31 March 2025
The Insurance Council of Australia has welcomed the final report from a parliamentary inquiry into the cyclone reinsurance pool, highlighting its focus on broader affordability measures...
MPs flag insurance vigilance after reviewing ASIC, ACCC reports
31 March 2025
Federal MPs have called for a focus on insurance issues such as affordability and pricing practices after reviewing the corporate and competition watchdogs’ annual reports for 2021, 2022 and 2023...
Commission seeks feedback on merger reform guidance
31 March 2025
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released draft merger process guidelines for consultation ahead of laws that will begin next year...
NZ ACC begins probe after reports of exec conduct ‘issues’
31 March 2025
New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation has ordered an independent review of its workplace culture following allegations about some senior executives’ behaviour...
Industry’s APRA levy to ease
31 March 2025
The general insurance industry will pay about $28.6 million to fund Australian Prudential Regulation Authority operational costs next financial year, down from $32.7 million in 2024–25, Treasury calculates...
Regulator outlines expectations for new NZ conduct regime
31 March 2025
New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority says it expects businesses to put consumers at the forefront of decision-making as the Conduct of Financial Institutions regime takes effect...
APRA tells industry to check outsourcing practices
24 March 2025
The prudential regulator has urged insurers to review their outsourcing practices in preparation for the start of CPS 230 Operational Risk Management on July 1...
NSW tables ban on ‘abhorrent’ claims farming
24 March 2025
The NSW government has taken another step towards introducing a ban on claims farming...
Super fund penalised $10.5 million over greenwashing
24 March 2025
The Federal Court has ordered Active Super to pay $10.5 million for making misleading claims about its green credentials...
State adds car mechanics to skill recognition program
24 March 2025
Vehicle repairers will be added to a NSW skills recognition scheme that streamlines the movement of workers between states, in a move welcomed by the Insurance Council of Australia...
Reform to make battery suppliers ‘take accountability’
24 March 2025
The NSW government has introduced legislation targeting suppliers’ handling and disposal of lithium-ion batteries and other products that pose safety and the environmental threats...
State grant scheme backs early action on mental injuries
24 March 2025
Return to Work Victoria will provide grants of up to $500,000 for new programs to help mentally injured people re-enter the workforce quicker...
Watchdog consults on guidelines for merger reform
24 March 2025
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is consulting on draft assessment guidelines for new merger notifications laws that will apply from next year...
Uninsured builder fined in ‘cowboy’ clampdown
17 March 2025
A Sydney builder has been hit with a $473,000 fine for more than 40 offences relating to uninsured work, unlicensed jobs and excessive deposits...
Storm-hit state names disaster recovery co-ordinators
17 March 2025
Queensland has appointed recovery co-ordinators to help communities clean up and rebuild after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred...
Queensland offers resilient rebuild grants
17 March 2025
The Queensland government has introduced resilience-focused rebuilding grants for flood-hit homeowners in the state’s north...
Victoria spreads word after killer stone ban
17 March 2025
The Victorian government says it has advised more than 1100 construction and stonemason industry operators on adapting to the recent crackdown on engineered stone...