Australian banks unite to stop scammers – how you can protect yourself

Australia’s banking industry is stepping up its war on scams and fraud, launching a new Scam-Safe Accord intended to put scammers out of business in Australia. 

Can you refinance a personal loan? Here's how

It is possible to refinance a personal loan, provided you can afford the repayments. Refinancing a personal loan is a lot like initially applying for a personal loan, with a few key differences.

A short guide on different types of home loans in the market

Different types of home loans are better suited to borrowers with different conditions or requirements. For instance, if you’re building your home from scratch, a construction loan might prove more useful than a regular home loan. By understanding the various home loan options in the market, you can choose the mortgage that’s best suited to your needs.

Queensland doubles first home owner grant – what this means for you

The Queensland state government has announced that it would be doubling the state’s first home owner grant (FHOG) from $15,000 to $30,000, in what was described as a pre-Christmas bonus. So how does this affect Queenslanders hoping to put their first foot onto the property ladder in the new year?

Advantages and disadvantages of home and contents insurance

If you want to insure your home, as well as your possessions, choosing a combined home and contents insurance policy can come with advantages, such as lower premiums compared to separate policies, and easier filing of combined insurance claims after disaster strikes. However, there may also be some disadvantages, such as lower coverage limits for some of your belongings and needing to buy more optional coverage.

Which banks have hiked term deposits and savings accounts in November 2023?

The November 2023 meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board saw the national cash rate rise by 25 basis points to 4.35% - the thirteenth hike of the current cycle that began in May 2022. 

Top 10 storm hotspots – is your home covered?

New research has revealed the locations in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland that were hit hardest by wild weather over the past financial year. With Australia coming into an El Nino summer, it’s important to make sure your home insurance is prepared, especially if you’re living in one of these areas.

Some of the top-rated home loans for investors and refinancers in November 2023

Many of Australia’s banks and other mortgage lenders have already announced that they’re raising their home loan interest rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board’s November 2023 meeting. Homeowners and investors hoping to get a better mortgage deal may need to look beyond a home loan’s cost and consider the overall value offered by different lenders.

What is comprehensive credit reporting?

Comprehensive credit reporting is a system which includes both positive and negative information on a person’s credit file, to make credit reports fairer and more accurate.

Can you claim on contents insurance without a receipt?

It is possible to make a claim on your contents insurance if you don’t have a receipt, provided you can provide the insurer with some other proof of ownership. However, keeping receipts or similar official documentation will often make it easier to process contents insurance claims quickly and with fewer hassles.