The average price of a home in NSW is $1,184,500, the highest in the country. Canberra is next at $948,500, followed by Victoria at
$895,000, with the Northern Territory the lowest at $489,2001. With the target cash rate expected to remain steady at a 12 year
high of 4.35% over 2024, the pressure is on parents and family to help the younger generation become homeowners.
Over the last 15 years, home ownership has fallen from 70% to 67% of the population. Over time, declining home ownership
will increase the wealth gap in Australia as for many, home ownership is a significant factor in wealth accumulation. According to the
Actuaries Institute, wealth inequality is significantly higher now than in the 1980s, with the wealthiest 20% of households currently having
six times the disposable income of the lowest 20%2.
The Domain’s
First Home Buyer Report 2024
estimates the time for a couple aged between 25 and 34 to save a 20% deposit for an entry level home to be 6 years and 8 months in Sydney,
and 5 years and 5 months in Melbourne (the Australian average is 4 years and 9 months). In that time, they are begrudgingly paying rent (or
staying with Mum and Dad).
Ensure clarity and protection by documenting loan terms for your home purchase with legal guidance. Consulting a financial adviser is
key to assessing eligibility for schemes aiding first-home buyers.
Even profitable businesses can run into cashflow trouble. Revenue looks healthy on paper, yet the bank balance tells a different story. The culprit? Hidden leaks in profit and cashflow that quietly drain resources, reduce margins, and create constant pressure on working capital.
What happens when a trusted employee of 15+ years claims they’re owed over $20K in backpay? For one small business owner, it meant stress, legal letters — and a powerful reminder of why investing in the right accounting and bookkeeping partner pays off.
Regional Australia remains an attractive option for capital city residents, with 26 per cent more people relocating to regional areas.
Running a business is rewarding—but it also brings financial challenges. Whether you’re facing a shortage of cash during slower months or reveling in a boom and worried about the tax bill that follows, one thing remains constant: you need a clear plan.
Traditionally, a 20% deposit is considered the safe minimum by lenders because it reduces their risk. Borrowers with less than 20% usually need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
Learn how expert business consulting can improve cashflow, profit and team performance, and how Smart turns strategy into sustainable success.
The scheme enables eligible buyers to purchase a home with as little as a 5% deposit, while avoiding lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI).
Equipment finance can be a huge boost for business growth, especially in certain industries. However, managing the world of equipment loans isn't always straightforward.
Choosing the right business loan for you and your business can be complex, especially when juggling multiple providers, structures, and repayment options.
When this Australian manufacturer of retail products first came to us, they were in trouble. The financials showed a loss exceeding $300,000. Despite healthy sales activity and a great product, profit was nowhere to be found.
According to latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre report, Melbourne's live IT capacity has reached 337.1MW, marking a 25.4% year-on-year increase.
New research shows that four of Australia’s six major capital cities have recorded substantial improvements in their CBD retail vacancy rates over the past year.
Australia's commercial property market has delivered strong evidence of a recovery with total returns surging to 4.94 per cent in Q2 2025.
There’s a quiet shift happening within the ATO, and it’s catching a lot of businesses off guard. The ATO is using its newly enhanced Risk Engine, now powered by artificial intelligence, to comb through business financials with greater speed, accuracy, and scrutiny than ever before.
Being a proactive financial advisor means looking beyond the numbers on a screen. It’s not about reacting to the market or chasing returns. It’s about anticipating opportunities and risks before they appear, and making strategic decisions that protect and grow your wealth across every stage of life.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MORNINGTON
29 & 30 September 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance professionals,
bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and optimise VBA
scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
SOLD OUT - LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - SYDNEY
25 & 26 September 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance professionals,
bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and optimise VBA
scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
Smart Private Wealth, part of the Smart Business Solutions Group, has been honoured as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Barry Lambert Award, recognising exceptional community fundraising and volunteer work within the Count Financial network.
Shannon Smit, Founding Director of Smart Private Wealth, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Innovation award at the 2025 Count Financial Awards, recognising her ground-breaking leadership in transforming how financial advice and professional services are delivered in Australia.
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SMART Business Solutions has been named a finalist in the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards in the Excellence in Local Community Connection category.
Over the past 18 months, payroll tax has become one of the most talked-about issues in healthcare accounting. For Victorian general practitioners, specialists, and practice owners, the recent changes introduced by the State Revenue Office (SRO) carry significant implications—both financial and operational.
LIMITED SPACES REMAIN - LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MORNINGTON
10 & 11 September 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
SOLD OUT - LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - BRISBANE
8 & 9 September 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance professionals,
bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and optimise VBA
scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
Thanks to improvements in living standards, medicine and technology, Australians are living longer than ever before – driving a demographic shift that investors can’t afford to ignore.
Passive investment funds have become a familiar feature in the portfolios of many investors around the world. However, as geopolitical uncertainty upends investment markets, actively managed investments may offer the flexibility needed to protect and grow investors’ savings through the storm.
The value of active investment management in volatile times and what an ageing population means for healthcare investors.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - PERTH
18 & 19 August 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance professionals,
bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and optimise VBA
scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
WEBINAR - Recording
The best retirements are those planned well in advance. Because when it comes to designing the life you want, age should never be a limit.
In this expert-led webinar, we’ll walk you through the essential strategies to help you create a financially secure and fulfilling
retirement - on your terms.
WEBINAR - Recording
Thinking about using your super to invest in property? Watch the recording of our expert-led webinar to explore how a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) can help you build long-term wealth through property investment.
The short answer is no. Many lenders offer no-deposit car loans, which means you can borrow the full value of the vehicle.
A travel loan is simply a type of personal loan that’s used specifically for holiday-related expenses.
We’ve all seen it: slick social media reels, perfectly filtered property gurus, and bold AI influencers promising fast wealth. But in Australia’s regulated finance and property landscape, chasing that hype can lead to more heartbreak than haul.
Bridging loans can be a smart strategy for homeowners looking to upsize, downsize or relocate – especially in a competitive property market.
Explore a detailed, state-by-state guide on how payroll tax applies to medical and healthcare practices across Australia. Includes thresholds, exemptions, rates, and recent legislative updates for GPs and contractors in 2025/26.
Australian housing values are gaining momentum with falling interest rates driving renewed growth in the property market.
WEBINAR - Recording
In this webinar we explore how a Self-Managed Super Fund can help you take control of your
retirement in today’s changing economic landscape.
Despite elevated interest rates causing stress to borrowers, trust in brokers remains high.
This past financial year brought a wave of opportunity—and many super funds delivered, with double-digit growth across key asset classes. The big question: is your fund among the top performers?
More and more Australians managing their own super through SMSFs are outperforming the country’s largest funds—and they’re doing it with calm confidence, not complexity.
Investing in property isn’t just about mortgage repayments. There are significant upfront and ongoing costs to consider.
Low-doc loans are a practical solution when tax returns or full financial statements aren’t available.
Geopolitical tensions remained in focus in June as renewed conflict in the Middle East disrupted oil supply routes and raised concerns about broader regional instability. Oil prices spiked as tensions rose and supply concerns mounted, though moderated after a ceasefire was called 12 days later. Brent closed June +5.8% higher at $67.61.
Discover how the ATO’s data-matching program works and how staying informed can help you prepare your taxes with clarity and confidence.
Late super payments can cost your business thousands in tax, penalties, and even personal liability. Here’s how to avoid the spiral and protect your future.
The Australian business landscape is expanding, signalling a potentially strong future for commercial property markets.
Australia's commercial property market is showing signs of recovery after a challenging period, with tentative growth expected throughout 2025 and stronger performance anticipated in 2026.
According to the CBRE Lender Sentiment Survey, 56 percent of lenders expressed intentions to grow their commercial real estate exposures.
Property prices have surged in several markets since the Reserve Bank of Australia's first interest rate cut in February.
| Over the past year, the accounting profession has been going through some significant changes, and many small business owners are only just starting to feel the impact. Updates to the Tax Agent Services Act (TASA) have lifted the standard around how tax and accounting services are delivered, with a stronger focus on transparency, professionalism, and client protection. |
SMART Business Solutions has been named winner of the Innovator of the Year at the Australian Accounting Awards 2025. Recognised for our forward-thinking approach, we continue to lead the way in combining AI-driven efficiencies with a human-centered client experience - empowering our team to do meaningful work that drives real impact.
The ATO has released Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2026/D2, and it’s very clear where they’re focusing next, property development structures, particularly where land ownership and development activities are split.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.
