Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Money Magazine

We often talk about a person’s financial affairs as though they exist in isolation. But the reality is that our money journey is drastically impacted by our relationships, both familial and romantic. Long-term, trusting dual-income relationships with shared economic goals can set people up for prosperity. It’s easier to obtain a mortgage as a couple – and property is one of the main pathways to building wealth in Australia – as well as sharing expenses and investment risks. By contrast, a relationship breakdown, especially when dependent children are involved, can set people back years as assets are divided, incomes are halved and outgoings are increased. And these days, we can factor several of the above into the course of an average life. To help you navigate the ups and downs…

There’s a series of children’s books published from the 1970s through to the 1990s called Choose Your Own Adventure, and it’s making a comeback. I know this because my 12-year-old has just requested them and he’s pretty good at anticipating future trends. It’s no surprise because he loves computer games, which are pretty much the modern equivalent of the Choose Your Own Adventure series. The books subvert the theory that the author guides the reader through a series of adventures in a particular order. Instead, the adventure is determined by the choices made by the reader as they advance through the book. While they make the best choices they can, the results can be disastrous or wonderful. They just don’t know with any certainty. It’s the same with investing! Up…

We’re getting close to the end of the financial year, which means that now is the time to pull together all your tax records, particularly copies of invoices and receipts that can be used to substantiate your deductions. You must have written evidence to prove your deductions claims if the total amount exceeds $300. The records you keep must prove the full amount, not just the amount over $300. If the total claimed is $300 or less, you need to be able to show how you calculated your claims, but you do not need written evidence. There is a widespread misconception that you can claim $300 worth of deductions automatically, without having to worry about proving them. That’s not the case. If you didn’t actually incur the expenses – and…

While flexible payment options such as buy now, pay later (BNPL) are popular for discretionary spending, the service has expanded to other areas, including flights, beauty services and even fertility treatments. An Australian invention, BNPL first took the retail world by storm in 2015, allowing consumers to buy goods and services and pay for them in instalments. Now, one in three Australians uses flexible options almost as often as traditional payment methods such as BPAY and bank transfers, according to a ecommerce payments report from Power Retail. Adoption is particularly strong among younger people: 58% of those aged 25 to 34 use them, followed by 18- to 24-year-olds at 53% and 35- to 44-year-olds at 49%. While most (79%) of these purchases are retail-based -primarily fashion, electronics and beauty –…

Aristocrat has decided to restructure its social gaming business, Big Fish, after failing to find a buyer. It will stop developing new games, and focus on maintaining and monetising existing ones. Big Fish will now operate under the rebranded Product Madness division. Aristocrat is letting Big Fish fade away quietly. This shift is part of its wider exit from casual gaming and reinforces its focus on its core strength: regulated gambling. The biggest growth opportunity lies in real-money gaming, including online casinos, sports betting and digital lotteries. Aristocrat recently secured contracts for iLottery in New Hampshire and Michigan independently, and with more US states exploring online lotteries, the company expects this to be a key growth driver. A $750 million share buyback has been announced following an already substantial $1.85…

Communities hit by disasters such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred are being warned about scammers offering fast repairs or inspections in the aftermath. These ‘disaster chasers’ turn up uninvited, claim they’ve spotted damage or say they’ve been sent by your insurer. They often ask for cash upfront, want contracts to be signed on the spot and undercut quotes from legitimate tradies. Most aren’t licensed and won’t be covered by insurance. The Insurance Council of Australia says if someone knocks on your door offering help, check with your insurer before agreeing to anything. “Insurers will not send a tradesperson or builder to your property or premises without notifying you,” says the council. Ben Young, from Westpac’s fraud team, says the period after a natural disaster is prime time for scammers. “People are…

That moment when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is life changing – and that feeling of being able to live on love alone, no need for mundane things such as food or water to sustain you. Plenty of Australians fall in love each year. And around 120,000 couples (close to 250,000 people) formalise it each year by getting married. Many more enter de facto relationships. This love is something to be celebrated. And to be clear, many Australians will enjoy long and loving relationships. But it is a fact of modern life that many people will discover theirs is not a ‘till death do us part’ situation. As in many developed nations, Australia has a high rate of relationship breakdown. Ian…

Life admin for new couples Among the excitement of setting up a home together, couples need to tick off a few life admin matters. One of these is having life insurance in place. “Life cover isn’t for you, it’s for your partner,” says financial adviser Glen Hare. “Your need for cover should be triggered when you have either debt or children. Importantly, both partners should have appropriate life cover to reduce the strain on the household if the unexpected happens.” Another step to address is drawing up a will. Hare recommends having a will in place from the time you move out of home and start growing personal wealth. “It can be very cost effective to organise a will in your 20s as most people typically just state who will…

1. Have the aged-care conversation when parents are still in good health. This is the time to discuss whether living with their children as carers will work. 2. The government’s My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au) provides help to navigate the aged-care system. The service is accessible via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450. 3. Migrants from a NESB should engage with their super, and consolidate accounts if they have a pension account overseas. They should also check if they are eligible for benefits such as the low-income super tax offset (LISTO). 4. Communicate with family overseas about the amount they are receiving via remittances and how often, in order to manage their expectations and set boundaries. 5. In multi-generational households, consider creating a household budget together as…

“We’ve reassessed your property…” That’s what Julian (pictured), a homeowner in Melonba, north-western Sydney, was told in an email from his insurer. “[My insurer] said they wouldn’t renew due to flood and surface run-off rainwater risks,” he says. Julian’s home isn’t in a designated flood zone. “They’ve done a lot of mitigation work,” he says of his area, which has modern drainage infrastructure. But that didn’t matter. “We appreciate our decision may disappoint you,” the insurer continued. Other insurers weren’t keen to take him on. “One quote came back 2.5 times higher than my previous policy,” he says. “I applied with several others and many declined me outright.” Even comparison sites weren’t much help. “It was a bit of a nuisance – they didn’t show all the options,” he says.…

Before I was a psychologist, I was a music producer and composer. I was fortunate enough to forge a music career in the ’90s, in the shadow of emerging bands such as Powderfinger, Regurgitator, Resin Dogs and The Butterfly Effect. It was a great time and place to be in the music industry. But it was far from smooth sailing. Beneath the glitz and glamour lay a boom-and-bust financial roller coaster that had me on the edge of failure and starvation 98% of the time. While it was amazing to do what I loved, the industry was quite traumatic, and those experiences were pretty much directly tied to many financial ups and downs. Fast-forward 20 years and I still found doing my tax and accounting painful – as if I…

Thinking of taking parental leave? • Check your work-related entitlements on your employment contract or talk to your human resources department. • If your employer doesn’t offer paid parental leave, consider finding one that does. • Check whether you’ll get super contributions on parental leave that your employer pays. • Check what other benefits are offered by your employer. Some best-practice companies offer additional paid leave for pregnancy-related appointments, fertility treatments, miscarriage and pregnancy loss and partner leave for attending key appointments. • Start your claim for government parental leave payments before your baby is due. You are allowed to apply up to three months before the baby comes. • Do you meet the required eligibility requirements for government paid parental leave? There is an income test and a work…

Super funds are under government pressure to lift their game and become more service-oriented. With an estimated five million Australians in or approaching retirement, there is an urgent need to make advice more affordable and to cover this advice gap. Many fund members find the high fees charged by financial planners unaffordable, leaving them to navigate a complex financial landscape alone. They need to choose a retirement option and understand its risk, know how much income they can draw down, how long their super is likely to last and whether they’re eligible for the age pension. Under government reforms, the availability of advice will be expanded to include a new class of diplomaqualified financial adviser, which will make it easier for members to get affordable advice appropriate to their circumstances.…

Betashares Europe Currency Hedged ETF The fund (ASX: HEUR) aims to track the performance of an index that provides diversified exposure to the largest globally competitive Eurozone companies, hedged into Australian dollars. The largest exposures include industrials, consumer discretionary and financials. VanEck MSCI International Value ETF Investors in this fund (VLUE) get a diversified portfolio of 250 international developed market large and mid-cap companies, with high-value scores as calculated by MSCI at each rebalance. The score is based on price to book value, price to forward earnings and enterprise value to cashflow from operations. T Rowe Price Global Equity Fund The strategy aims to deliver long-term capital growth by investing primarily in a portfolio of companies that are traded, listed or due to be listed on recognised exchanges and/or markets…

Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) 1800 812 798 (outside Sydney) 9264 9300 (Sydney) superannuation.asn.au Australian Communications and Media Authority 1300 850 115 acma.gov.au Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 1300 302 502 accc.gov.au Australian Energy Regulator aer.gov.au/consumers/making-a-complaint Australian Financial Complaints Authority 1800 931 678 afca.org.au Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) 1300 300 630 asic.gov.au Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) 131 279 asx.com.au CPA Australia 1300 737 373 (within Australia) +61 3 9606 9677 (outside Australia) cpaaustralia.com.au Do Not Call Register To reduce telemarketing calls 1300 792 958 donotcall.gov.au/contact-us/contact-details Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs ACT: 132 281 NSW: 133 220 NT: 1800 019 319 QLD: 137 468 SA: 131 882 TAS: 1300 654 499 VIC: 1300 558 181 WA: 1300 304 054 Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/contact…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Thursday, May 1 Balance of trade Tuesday, May 13 NAB business confidence Wage price index Thursday, May 15 Unemployment rate Tuesday, May 20 RBA interest rate decision Wednesday, May 21 Westpac consumer confidence Huge generational wealth transfer has an upside and downside The early stages of a great transition are underway, involving the transfer of a vast amount of wealth from older to younger Australians. Over the next two decades, it’s estimated that $3.5 trillion will be passed down by members of ‘the silent generation’ and baby boomers to gen X, millennials and gen Z. That’s roughly $175 billion each year that will flow down in the form of gifts or, more likely, inheritances, according to a 2021 Productivity Commission report. While both figures show the scale…

BOOK OF THE MONTH THE PROFESSIONAL by Tony Frost (Wiley, $34.95) This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to take charge of their professional development -whether you’re just starting out in your career or want to make sure you stay relevant in an ever-changing job landscape. Author and leadership coach Tony Frost has provided several relatable real-world examples, along with advice to give you the support you need to futureproof your skillset. He also explains how to master the essential skills that will make you irreplaceable in the age of AI, and how to seize new opportunities as they present themselves in the workplace. Ten readers can win a copy. In 25 words or less, tell us if you think AI could impact your job and how. Enter online…

▶ MORE PROPERTY STORIES ON P62-71 'Liar loans' are a big danger A surprising number of Australians, particularly younger generations, believe it’s acceptable to exaggerate their income on loan applications. According to research from global analytics company FICO, more than half of gen Z respondents (aged 18 to 24) say misrepresenting income on loan applications is either acceptable or common practice, more than five times the rate of those aged 65 and older. Across all age groups, nearly one in three Australians considers income inflation justifiable or routine. FICO’s Corey Smith says the shift may be driven by financial stress, particularly among younger people facing high living costs. But regardless of intent, the consequences are serious. “Fraud remains a crime,” he says. Beyond individual repercussions, FICO warns that this growing…

$6.8bn The amount Australians paid in 2023-24 for group insurance within their superannuation. Source: Super Consumers Australia Young investors’ enthusiasm for low-cost diversification is helping to fuel the boom in exchange traded products (ETPs), including exchange traded funds (ETFs). The latest investment products report published by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) reveals that over the 12 months to the end of February, the value of the ETP market on the ASX increased by 34% from $184.7 billion to $247.5 billion. The largest market capitalisation growth over the year came from the commodities sector (up 57.6%), global equities (up 38.4%) and mixed products (up 30%). While ETPs are broadly popular, one segment of investors in particular seems to be embracing them, according to Ron Hodge, the chief executive of the digital wealth…

Ali and Gaby Rosenberg know just how special bonds can be. After all, as co-founders of the fixed-income investment platform Blossom, they are literally in the business of bonds. The two also share a bond that most people don’t. They’re sisters and they’re also both twins – though not with each other. Ali, who is the oldest of the four Rosenberg siblings, has a twin sister. As does Gaby, who is the youngest of the four sisters. “For a long time, we didn’t know of any other family who had two sets of twins except Roger Federer,” says Gaby. “But he has one set of girls and one set of boys, and we’re all girls. Since then, I’ve actually met a couple of families that also have two sets of…

QUAFF 2023 Mount Langi Ghiran ‘Pepper Series’ Shiraz $16 There’s a gentle whiff of pepper as you tentatively approach this red from the Grampians in Victoria. The palate is smooth, juicy and fleshy, before the gentlest of grips to finish. It’s lively, delicious and incredible value. SPLURGE 2020 Cape Mentelle ‘Heritage’ Cabernet Sauvignon $110 Among Margaret River’s first vineyards, Cape Mentelle has become firmly established as one of this country’s finest cabernet producers. The 2020 vintage has produced another superb, ageworthy red: brooding blackcurrant and briary aromatics, supple, plush and opulent. It has significant depth of flavour and power. Enjoy in the short term or cellar carefully for pleasure in the long term.…

My wife, 31, and I, 38, have just accepted an offer on our home in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs. We essentially own it outright and will keep the proceeds of the sale with the exception of the agent’s fees and usual costs. I bought the property as a single man some 11 years ago for $325,000 and our offer sits at well over double this price. This puts us in an interesting position, as we will be able to put down the majority of a new home’s value in cash (easily 80%-plus and still have some back-up savings) and be borrowing very little, and will likely be mortgage free again within two to three years conservatively. We’ve always focused on clearing debt first as a family and are completely debt free…

Money matters are probably the last thing on your mind at the start of a relationship. But Glen Hare, co-founder and financial adviser at Fox & Hare Financial Advice, says there are three core financial issues people should consider when things start getting more serious. Look for the red and green flags This stage of a relationship is the ideal time to identify problem areas that could signal trouble further down the track. “First, look at your partner’s relationship with money,” says Glen. “Are they risk averse or more aggressive in their money management? “Second, are they comfortable talking about money? Our personal views around money can be shaped by many factors, including friends, family and work colleagues. “Third – and most importantly – do your partner’s goals align with…

Make the most of super Glen Hare, financial adviser at Fox & Hare Financial Advice, says if he’s working with a young couple, he always has a conversation around a high-growth investment strategy for super. This typically means having a high proportion of your super invested in shares. While this can involve higher risk, when we are aged in our 20s and 30s there are many decades ahead for super balances to recover from market dips. Hare also sees merit in men topping up their female partner’s super. “Our super system significantly disadvantages women, not just because of the gender pay gap but also because women are more likely to take extended leave to raise a family and later return to the workforce part-time to care for children. This can…

Love may be blind but no one should walk blindly into a relationship hoping it will all work out. If it doesn’t, the toll on your financial wellbeing can be devastating. As a family law expert who has seen just how badly things can go wrong, Elise Fordham has an overarching piece of advice: “Don’t wait until it is serious. Plan ahead, get great advice and bring up issues early. Some discomfort early on can truly save you a huge headache later.” And no matter how seductive it may be to hand the reins of financial control to your partner, always stay engaged. As Glen Hare puts it: “Both partners don’t have to be equally involved in day-to-day money management. In my own relationship, I manage most of the finances,…

Fyzee Nauman (pictured) moved to Australia from Pakistan with his family on a skilled visa when he was eight years old and his sister was five. His father, Nauman Hyderi, an accountant in Pakistan, could not practise in Australia because his qualifications weren’t recognised here. Fyzee recalls that in Pakistan, with extended family support, the family spent more and ate out frequently. When they moved to Australia, they had to cut down and only buy the essentials. “Now I’m working and my sister’s working, we’re in a much better financial position and the pressure is off my dad, who was the sole income earner,” he says. “I feel better and freer knowing that my parents don’t have to restrict themselves anymore, because for the last 18 years they sacrificed a…

In the space of a decade, buy now, pay later (BNPL) has become ubiquitous in Australian retail. From the payment system’s initial use mainly for fashion and beauty products, BNPL services such as Afterpay, Klarna, Zip Pay, Sezzle and Humm are being used to buy holidays, homewares and electronics as well as services such as dental treatments and education. Such is the popularity of the service that it will face tougher regulation from the middle of this year as the Federal government introduces more consumer protections. BNPL allows customers to pay for goods and services in instalments instead of paying the full amount upfront. They repay the money in regular amounts in the subsequent weeks – for example, four repayments every two weeks for Afterpay and Klarna. Customers might be…

How can I set aside money for my children’s future in a tax-effective way? Many parents and grandparents want to set aside money for their children’s future, whether for education, a first home deposit or simply as a financial head start. While traditional options such as savings accounts and investment portfolios exist, one structure that may be worth considering is an investment bond. Investment bonds offer a unique, taxeffective way to invest long term while also providing flexibility and control over how and when funds are accessed. Unlike superannuation, which locks money away until retirement, investment bonds can be structured to support wealth accumulation for children while offering tax benefits along the way. What are investment bonds? They are long-term investment structures that operate similarly to managed funds but with…

Healthcare is emerging as a compelling sector for real estate investors seeking diversification. An ageing population with a rising life expectancy, coupled with improvements in science, technology and care, is sparking increased demand for healthcare property. The other big plus is that it is heavily funded by government and insurers – or non-discretionary – meaning that the income is less impacted by economic or business cycles than in other classes of investment real estate. In Australia, health spending accounted for 9.9% of gross domestic product in 2022-23. Of the total $252.5 billion in spending, almost 71% ($178 billion) was funded by governments. And in this year’s Federal election campaign, both major parties splashed out the cash on extra health-related commitments. Why invest in healthcare? Real estate tenanted by healthcare operators…

UniSuper, one of Australia’s largest super funds, is forming a strategic partnership with Ignition Advice, a leading provider of digital advice technology, to develop a new digital product and expand its services. The service, to be launched in June, will provide members with accessible, affordable personal advice covering super, insurance, investment and retirement options, and extends its award-winning advice service to members who wouldn’t ordinarily seek help. “Our goal is to provide great retirement outcomes for our members, says UniSuper’s CEO, Peter Chun. “We know that advice provides financial security for those preparing for, and in, retirement. We want to ensure that each member has access to advice that’s tailored to their needs and helps meet their goals for a better retirement. “While some members have complex financial situations requiring…

Among a bunch of impressive companies in the tech field, a one-time challenger continues to work its magic. Technology, as a sector, has always been a bit of a shapeshifter. In the 1920s, the telephone was cutting-edge tech. In the ’80s, it was fax machines. And in the late ’90s and early 2000s, if your website ended in dot.com, you were practically a tech visionary – until you weren’t. Today’s definition is equally fuzzy. The ASX All Technology Index lumps together everything from accounting software and online classifieds to share registries and digital payments. And sure, they all use technology – but that’s not helpful for our purposes. So, when we talk about the technology sector on the ASX, we’re talking less about the tools themselves and more about the…

RYAN JOHNSON Journalist, Money Each month, my fiancée and I order in some noodles and sit down for a check-in: Work, family, mental load, friends, future plans. How’s the past month been? What worked well and what felt off? These chats often result in many odd thought trails and side convos. Inevitably, money threads through it all, whether we’re saving for our wedding or just noticing the cost of noodles. These chats help us sync emotionally and financially. See Ryan’s story on single home buyers on page 62. KARREN VERGARA Journalist, Financial Standard It’s the good old-fashioned saving more than I spend. I save a large chunk of my pay and let it sit in my everyday account and watch it grow every month. It provides immense financial security and…

Businesses and workers deserve the certainty of bipartisan support for landmark payday super reform – and they cannot afford to wait. This reform is key to tackling Australia’s $5 billion a year unpaid super problem. It is due to start in July 2026. The Australian government first announced in May 2023 that it would update the law so that super payments are paid at the same time as an employee’s salary and wages. That announcement gave all stakeholders three years to prepare for a reform that simply brings the payment of super in line with what most Australians expect – that their super is paid on payday. The Super Members Council is urging all parties and candidates to pledge their support for this important reform. Any delay to the current…

Home values went up in March, bouncing back from a recent dip, according to new data from CoreLogic. The national Home Value Index rose by 0.4%, marking the second month in a row of price growth. This follows a small drop of 0.5% over the previous three months. Prices went up in nearly every capital city, with Darwin recording the biggest monthly rise of 1%. Hobart was the only city to fall, down 0.4%. CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless says the February interest rate cut has helped improve values, with a slight improvement in borrowing capacity and mortgage serviceability. Sydney and Melbourne, the biggest property markets, have now had two months of price gains. Sydney is just 1.4% below its previous record high, while Melbourne remains 5.6% below its 2022…

Need Paul's help? Send your questions to: Ask Paul, Money magazine, Level 7, 55 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or money@moneymag.com.au. Paul can’t personally answer your questions other than in the Q&A column. By submitting your question to Money, you consent to having your question and the response you receive from Paul published in the print and digital edition of Money. Louise is concerned that her two children won’t appreciate how privileged they are. Set a good example and you won't end up with spoilt kids Q I arrived in Australia as a toddler. My family were refugees from Vietnam. Money was always tight, but my parents worked hard to make sure my siblings and I never went without. We patched clothes, wore shoes with holes in them and were…

CLOCK IT What is it? Atari 2600 My Play Watch Best known for its 2600 console and popular games, Atari has developed something new for nostalgic gamers: the 2600 My Play Watch. It allows wearers to play four classic Atari games from their wrists: Centipede, Missile Command, Pong and Super Breakout. The 2600 My Play tracks a wearer’s heart rate, steps and calories and has alarm and timer functions (with Atari 2600 sound effects). Unlike many modern watches, it doesn’t offer computability with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so it can’t be linked with a smartphone. The 2600 My Play is currently available for pre-order, with shipping commencing from June 10. Cost: From $130 atari.com GO FOR IT What is it? Lenovo Legion Go The laptop producer has ventured into the handheld…

This is a very interesting question, Kev. We can take a good look at this, but my crystal ball, barely reliable at the best of times, is going to be working with a blindfold here. I’ve been to Darwin many times, filming with the Money TV show, plus for work and holidays. As you do, we like Darwin. But apart from keeping a casual eye on property values there, I have zero expertise in this market or its characteristics. As always with property, there will be the usual ‘fixed laws of money’. The most critical thing is population growth. Obviously, population growth drives demand for property. The Northern Territory government has just released its population forecasts titled Northern Territory Population Projections 2024 Release. Let’s start there. The population was 248,151…

In many cases, though not always, couples have a pretty good idea that their relationship is on its last legs and the question becomes ‘when’, not ‘if’, to call it a day. The process of disentangling a shared life is not just emotionally difficult, it can also be financially devastating. The Australian Institute of Family Studies found that although women are more likely to initiate divorce, they are far more likely to suffer financially, especially if children are involved, which is the case in one in two divorces. Mothers typically take the major responsibility for raising children. In doing so, their job advancement (and income) is often put on hold. This can make it worth thinking about counselling as a possible means of salvaging the relationship. Organisations such as Relationships…

For adult children watching their parents re-partner, it can be easy to think “there goes the inheritance”. And there can be a certain amount of truth to this. One of the challenges of second and subsequent relationships lies in providing for children from a previous relationship. It’s an area that can be fraught with peril. For blended families, having an up-to-date will may not be enough. Wills can be – and often are – subject to legal disputes. This is not a ‘lifestyles of the rich and famous’ issue. One Australian study found that 60% of contested estates are valued below $1 million and just over half are worth less than $500,000. Fortunately, there can be solutions. Fordham says these include having a BFA with your new partner, which sets…

Sydney-headquartered Success Tutoring charges parents $800 for one of its courses to help students win a place at a selective high school and accepts payments via Afterpay. “Because it’s a large amount, families would much rather receive the service and pay later,” says founder Michael Black. “The benefit for us is that we get the money straightaway.” Around 10% of its courses are paid via Afterpay and Black believes he would lose business if he didn’t offer BNPL. Success Tutoring pays a merchant fee of around 5% to Afterpay and Black says he would pass it on to customers if Afterpay allowed it. “The shoppers are receiving a service and getting a benefit, so if they have to pay a little bit extra, I think that’s okay,” he says. But…

If you are thinking of having, or are about to have, a baby, there is some good financial news. The Federal government benefit known as paid parental leave will rise from July 1. Not only do new mothers receive an extra two weeks of paid leave, taking the total from 22 to 24 weeks (120 days), the government is paying 12% superannuation for the first time on the total parental leave amount. It will go up to 26 paid weeks in 2026. What’s more, in recognition of the important role partners play in their child’s life, the government has upped their paid leave from 10 to 15 days from July 1. It also comes with 12% super. The current parental leave rate equals the national minimum wage of $915.90 for…

• Factor in the rental return, future growth and resale value. Choosing a property with strong capital appreciation and rental demand ensures financial security if your circumstances were to change. • Think long-term when buying a property. Choose a home that will still suit your needs five to 10 years down the line. A strategic, long-term approach can reduce stamp duty costs and maximise financial gains over time. Bianca Field, director of Bought Agency, a buyers agency in Sydney:…

For investors who want to expand their horizons, the US offers a wide range of opportunities. It has 17 healthcare REITs with a total market cap of $US190 billion ($299 billion) and an average dividend yield of 4.46%. The good news is it’s relatively easy to invest in offshore companies. Most online brokers provide the service. Look for low fees and a robust trading platform. Also check the broker’s regulatory compliance in Australia, ensuring it is licensed to operate and offer investment services. In February, the online platform MarketBeat looked at four dividendpaying US healthcare REITS: Welltower Inc (NYSE: WELL) is the biggest healthcare REIT with a market cap of $US96 billion ($151 billion), meaning it’s included in the S&P 500. It operates in the senior housing and care services…

Most investors are waking up to the prospect of US equities’ exceptionalism coming to an end. Over the past 16 years (in Australian dollars, as of March 28, 2025), the US S&P 500 Index (15.68%pa) has outperformed broader global equities (MSCI World ex-US Index at 9.51%), European equities (STOXX Europe 600 Index at 10.29%) and emerging markets (MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 7.76%.). US equities had another strong year in 2024, both in terms of absolute and relative performance. Because of this long, sustained outperformance, US equities have attracted a lot of global capital. But three months into 2025, equity market performance to date has seen a noticeable rotation out of the US and into Europe and emerging markets. There are several considerations investors need to keep in mind when…

I was listening to an old broker on the business news the other day saying that he and his wife were hoping for one more sharemarket boom before they retired. It takes an experienced financial markets operator to make the observation that making money in the sharemarket is not about buying and holding stocks for a long time; it’s about exploiting the booms and busts and sometimes avoiding the market altogether. Investors are now much smarter than they used to be, and more demanding, and to find a client who will accept the line that investment is about buying a diversified portfolio for the long term and targeting average returns is like finding financial planning gold. Clients with blind faith in the brainwashing funds management mantra of ‘time in the…

For my money, there’s one company that ticks the boxes: high-quality recurring revenue, improving margins, growing free cashflow, global scale and a long runway ahead. It started as a challenger, taking small business accounting to the cloud. Today, it’s a market leader in Australasia, expanding rapidly in the UK and North America, with a sticky customer base and the sort of economics that only software-as-a-service businesses can dream of. That’s enough to see Xero beat out an impressive field to take this month’s mantle of Best in Breed in the ASX technology sector.…