Australian economy stories - Page 8

ACS urges Australia to close its digital skills gap, unlocking AUD $134bn growth and boosting jobs through a ten-point plan centred on AI and tech training.

Australian businesses in 2025 will focus on new hires, staff upskilling, and office upgrades, favouring low-cost, high-impact investments amid tight profit margins.

The Reserve Bank of Australia keeps interest rates steady as consumers focus on value amid economic uncertainty, seeking discounts and prioritising essentials.

CommBank unveils its Doubt Never Did campaign, inspiring Australians to overcome doubt and pursue personal dreams with confidence and support.

Amid rising costs and economic uncertainty, 91% of Australian SMEs plan to prioritise non-capital spending over major investments in 2025-26.

On MSME Day 2025, Australia's small businesses face growing compliance challenges from new laws, risking productivity but solutions through automation offer hope.

Full adoption of e-invoicing could boost Australia's economy by AUD $22.5 billion annually through productivity gains, faster payments, and fraud reduction.

Willis launches Zest Insurance, a digital platform offering tailored, fully online insurance solutions to Australian SMEs, starting with admin and support sectors.

Australian businesses are urged to adopt responsible AI governance to harness innovation while ensuring ethical, secure, and inclusive technology use in the AI age.

Ofload warns Australia's freight sector faces major disruption after refrigerated transport firm Don Watson Transport collapses, threatening supply chain stability.

AWS is launching AI Spring Australia to boost local innovation, supporting startups with new AI programmes and expanding cloud infrastructure investment.

Bundaberg leads Australia in small business growth with a 178% rise in startups last year, outpacing Sydney and other major cities.

A study reveals 'Tech Neck' affects 68% of Australian women, linked to screen use; ergonomic habits and breaks can reduce prevalent neck pain.

New Zealand leads per capita Australian wine consumption at 9.38 bottles yearly, with the UK and Denmark close behind in a AUD $7.2 billion export market.

Advanced launches with $25m to fund Australian startups by advancing R&D Tax Incentive refunds, aiming to boost economic impact and innovation growth.

Talent has been honoured as one of Australia's top private companies in Deloitte's 2024 Best Managed Companies awards, standing out as the sole recruitment firm on the list.

Telstra and CommBank have announced an extension to their partnership, introducing new 'Fraud Indicator' technology to enhance fraud detection and protect against identity theft.

The Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre is launching a Voluntary Data Classification Framework to bolster cybersecurity and assist businesses, especially SMEs.

A HubSpot study reveals 40% of Australian firms cite rising costs as their main challenge, alongside data security and intense competition, complicating operations and growth.

The integration of AI with ERP systems is set to revolutionise the Australian manufacturing sector, enhancing efficiency and potentially boosting productivity by 40%.