Finance

Hard hitSmall business ‘never done it tougher’

Small business is the cornerstone of economic activity – employing over five million Australians. But now nearly 80 per cent of the country’s 2.3 million trading small businesses are struggling.

Amanda Sheppeard

NEW REALITYHow tourism has changed forever

Keyless room entry, COVID-19 quality assurance systems and the death of the buffet. Welcome to the many small ways in which the pandemic will change travel and tourism forever.

David Mills

Investment bargainsShare discounts dry up as market surges

Bargain hunters are finding slim pickings on the sharemarket after some recent strong rises. How do you spot a stock that could be trading at a discount?

Anthony Keane

Tourism bubbleMore countries rush to join Aussie travel bubble

Proposals for a global tourism bubble are rapidly expanding with Israel planning to join as a gateway to Europe and the popular destination for America’s rich and famous also wanting in.

Clare Armstrong, David Aidone, James MacSmith

Financial lifelinesTrouble brews once welfare payments stop in Australia

The Australian economy is slowly reopening but there could be real problems arising once the financial payments rolled out during COVID-19 come to an end.

Sophie Elsworth

Perth returnOrds taking stock over return to WA

The newly assembled Perth team at Ord Minnett says the COVID-19 crisis has created a “hiccup” to the timing of its return to WA this week after a 17-year absence.

Meilin Chew

EXTRA CASHWhy Aussies are opting to side-hustle online during lockdown

Side-hustles have increased in popularity during Australia’s COVID-19 lockdown but there are a few boxes to tick for new entrepreneurs before they start turning a profit.

Cara Jenkin

Career hopesAustralia’s most in-demand jobs revealed

The job market has taken a hit since the COVID-19 outbreak but tens of thousands of roles are still available – and most do not require a university degree.

Melanie Burgess

Legal queryDispute over COVID-19 class action relief for directors

Peak business groups welcome temporary relief from class actions against director during pandemic.

Sean Smith

Super accessHow early access super applicants are splashing cash

More than 1.6 million have accessed their superannuation savings early, but they are being urged to spend it cautiously.

Sophie Elsworth

Real estateWhy property prices have not plunged

Warnings of a 30 per cent plunge of property prices have not shaken Aussie homeowners’ love of real estate, with millions holding their nerve during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s why.

Anthony Keane

Wage subsidiesJobKeeper cheats are a big worry

The Federal Government’s JobKeeper program has helped millions of employees so far, but those deliberately cheating the system are in for a nasty surprise.

Anthony Keane

Retail war‘Price war’: Why Target’s fall is good for shoppers

Kmart’s takeover of Target could be a big win for shoppers, with the move predicted to do little to ease the fierce competition for sales in the discount department store battle.

James MacSmith

Online fraudProtect yourself from COVID-19’s new scams surge

Don’t take the bait from a fresh wave of COVID-19 scams as fraudsters try old and new tricks to steal your hard-earned money.

Anthony Keane

Finance UpdatesStocks finish higher on post-lockdown hopes

The US stock market’s brief rally was threatened by renewed fears of a US-China trade war but stocks ended higher at close of trading, fuelled by optimism about the economy reopening.

Staff reporter, Reuters

New directionCoronavirus prompts a shift in career choices

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the career paths of many West Australians, with a new report revealing one in three WA residents will seek a new job direction.

Meilin Chew

Car insuranceTricks to save on car insurance costs

Car insurance is one of many annual bills Aussies struggle to save money on. But you can keep more cash in your pocket if you follow these easy tips.

Sophie Elsworth

Have your sayUnfair dismissal claims soar as Aussies can’t get JobKeeper

Unfair dismissal claims have soared to record levels as Australians lose jobs en masse because of the coronavirus crisis, as Treasury believes Australia could be in the midst of its unemployment peak.

David Mills, AAP

LEADERSHIPHow to gain influence at work

A LOT of Australians may be working from home away from their colleagues but there are still ways to build relationships and gain influence within the team.

Melanie Burgess

Save moneyCostly frequent flyer credit cards: what you must know

Consumer advisory groups have warned Australians not to be lured into costly credit card deals tied to frequent flyer points, as Qantas and Virgin try to lure customers in.

David Aidone

Domestic travelQantas eyes quick return to the skies

Qantas boss Alan Joyce says he could have up to half the airline’s domestic fleet back in the air by July if states ease travel restrictions, as major changes that will impact the way passengers fly were announced.

Sophie Elsworth, John Dagge, AAP

Looking upThe top ten future industries where all the jobs will be

Three million Australians are planning a post-pandemic career change, making the jump into a completely different field. Here’s where you should be looking.

Melanie Burgess