Business Expenditure on Research & Development (R&D) grew by 18 per cent to $24.4 billion in 2023-24, according to new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said: ‘The strongest growth in R&D was seen in the Information and computing sciences research field. This includes spending on Artificial Intelligence, or AI, which grew by 142 per cent since 2021-2022. ‘Businesses more than doubled their investment, putting $668.3 million into AI R&D in 2023-24, compared to $276.3 million in 2021-22. This shows how rapidly Australian firms have begun investing in AI.‘But it was Software engineering that made the largest contribution to the Information and computing sciences research field. This category grew by 26 per cent to $4.9 billion.’The Professional, scientific and technical services industry made up 38 per cent of R&D expenditure in 2023-24, totalling $9.2 billion. This was followed by the Manufacturing industry at 21 per cent, or $5.0 billion. The Financial and insurance services industry was third highest at 14 per cent, or $3.5 billion.  Business spending on R&D kept pace with the growth of the overall economy, remaining at 0.9 per cent of GDP for 2023-24. Today’s figures also showed business R&D spending by its intended purpose or outcome, known as Socio-Economic Objective (SEO). Understanding the SEO categories is important for R&D policy and planning. Information and communication services, Manufacturing, and Health make up 58 per cent of total R&D business expenditure by SEO. ‘R&D spending on Information and communication services is now the leading SEO in Australia, overtaking Manufacturing,’ Mr Ewing said. ‘Growth in Information and communication services was up 50 per cent to $5.9 billion. Manufacturing dropped 3 per cent to $4.6 billion, continuing a downward trend since 2019-20.’Today’s release gives governments and researchers information about the level and nature of business spending on R&D. This helps inform policy and strategy decisions to support businesses to improve research outcomes.

The NSW Government, in partnership with leaders from the NSW fashion industry, has today released the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, the first of its kind in Australia.NSW designers are the heart of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar fashion industry, with $7.2 billion export revenue generated annually. Nationally, this represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports. In NSW, the fashion industry contributes $9.7b to the state economy and employs more than 174,000 people.The industry has one of the highest rates of female employment. Nationally, 77 per cent the 489,000 workforce is female.Fashion is one of Australia’s leading creative industries, showcasing diverse and emerging talent, and First Nations initiatives that are pivotal for inclusivity, cultural recognition and international distinctiveness. The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy sets out a plan to develop the industry in NSW, to grow international profile and markets, and establish pathways for new designers.Initiatives include:Australian Fashion Hub: The NSW Government, the University of Technology and City of Sydney will partner with the sector to develop a new hub, providing spaces for emerging and established industry participants to collaborate, and forge connections.Australian Fashion Smart Factory: The NSW Government will support a feasibility study for an Australian-first pilot to combine testing and development, production and distribution.The NSW Government will work with industry, and other government partners to develop this proposal to support the progress of further manufacturing in Australia. Establishing export pathways: A new program will provide emerging NSW designers with opportunities to showcase their designs internationally. These showrooms will promote NSW designers and brands strengthening relationships with international buyers and support NSW designers to develop an international profile and new market opportunities. Skills and training review: TAFE NSW and the University of Technology will lead a strategic skills review to help industry and government assess current skills and future needs.TAFE NSW and Create NSW will partner to develop the Next Gen Creative Industries Hub at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus on Harris Street as part of the broader Ultimo Creative Industries Precinct.Australian Fashion Week: will continue to be a top tier Sydney event on the global fashion calendar, attracting domestic and international buyers, showcasing NSW internationally.Connecting Audiences to Australian Fashion: The Powerhouse Museum will lead the state’s Cultural Institutions to support, amplify and connect audiences with the creativity of the NSW fashion industry.The strategy has three key funding programs to support and develop emerging talent: $250,000 to support emerging designers to develop export markets by showcasing their designs at the largest international industry trade show. This initiative will help NSW designers build profile with key international media and buyers, supporting the growth of their businesses in NSW.$300,000 to support NSW First Nation and emerging fashion and designers show at Australian Fashion Week$200,000 in quick response grants – supporting designers to purchase critical equipment for their practice or pursue professional development opportunities. The full strategy is available here: NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028 | NSW Government.Minister for the Arts, John Graham said, “NSW, and particularly Sydney, has long led the way for the Australian fashion industry. Generations of ground-breaking Sydney designers are not just Australian success stories but are consistently highly sought after internationally by global taste makers and wider retail markets.“Beyond the glamour of fashion, it's a complex sector that employs 77 per cent women and represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports.“Despite the cultural and economic impact of the sector, this is the first time a government has developed a strategy recognising its importance and planning for growth.”Minister for Tourism and Jobs, Steve Kamper said, “The fashion industry is a complex ecosystem of design, textile, manufacturing, retail, and education and training – generating 174,000 jobs in NSW.“Sydney has always been the home of Australian Fashion Week, and I’m pleased it will continue to be. It’s a natural fit – Sydney is the home of fashion, and our stunning city provides a beautiful backdrop for our world-class designers. “Australian Fashion Week puts Sydney on the map with international taste-makers and influencers, and showcases our talents as well as our good looks. Sydney has never looked as sharp as it does during fashion week!” Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said, “Sectors like fashion put us on a global map and reinforce NSW as a great exporter of innovation and creativity.“I’m excited we can support our innovation ecosystem and local manufacturers through contributing to a feasibility study for the Australian Fashion Smart Factory. This consolidated manufacturing hub capable of testing, production, development and distribution has the potential to be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.“It’s no accident that Australia’s leading creative and tech sectors are concentrated so close to each other in Sydney. I’m excited to see further collaboration between our innovation ecosystem and creative industries as we develop our Tech Central Economic Development Strategy.”Co-Chairs, Alex Schuman and Edwina McCann said, “The fashion industry in NSW is not only a major economic driver but also a cultural force that showcases our state’s creativity and global influence.“This strategy addresses critical areas within the business of fashion, including innovation, sustainability, workforce development and market access. It is designed to foster a vibrant, globally competitive fashion industry in New South Wales, while ensuring that local businesses and creatives succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape.”Vice Chancellor of UTS, Professor Andrew Parfitt said, “The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy strengthens the next stage of UTS’s collaboration with TAFE NSW, Australian Fashion Council and the Powerhouse Museum to support and grow the creative industries precinct in Sydney’s southern CBD. “It builds on the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion and Textiles with TAFE NSW in 2021 and a partnership with the Powerhouse aimed at creating a dynamic, place-based creative industries ecosystem to expand the profile of Australian fashion, textiles, and design on the national and global stage.“Our support of the NSW Fashion Hub and the Australian Fashion Smart Factory reinforces our strong commitment to developing our precinct as a destination for innovation across disciplines. 

Total wages and salaries paid by employers were $103.9 billion in June 2025, up 5.9 per cent from June 2024, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics, said: ‘The 5.9 per cent annual growth in total wages and salaries paid by employers between June 2024 and June 2025 was similar to the annual growth we saw to June 2024, when wages grew by 6.0 per cent.’ Aggregate measures of wages can be heavily influenced by differences in the number of persons paid, hours worked, seasonal payments and one-off events in any given month. By adding together 12 months of wages and salaries paid in a financial year, and comparing the annual growth, we can gain better insights into underlying growth.  ‘Total wages and salaries paid by employers totalled $1,219 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, growing 5.9 per cent from the 2023-24 financial year.  ‘This was lower than the 7.0 per cent between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 years.’ Mr Crick said.  Health care and social assistance industry over a fifth of wages growth in 2024-25‘The Health care and social assistance services industry held the largest share of total wages and salaries paid by employers, with 14.6 per cent of the 2024-25 financial year estimate,’ Mr Crick said.‘This industry’s rise of $14.8 billion from the 2023-24 financial year, was 21.6 per cent of the total increase in wages and salaries paid by all employers in the 2024-25 financial year.’The Public administration and safety industry saw the second largest growth in wages and salaries in dollar terms in the 2024-25 financial year of $8.5 billion, and also had the strongest increase from 2023-24 financial year growth (up $1.3 billion).The stronger 2024-25 growth was influenced by large state government pay rises, one-off payments such as backpay, and temporary jobs which supported the federal election in May 2025. 

The NSW Government has backed national plans to strengthen Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) and shut down loopholes which put children at risk. At today’s Standing Council of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting, Attorneys-General from across Australia agreed to urgently work towards implementing mutual recognition of negative WWCC notices by the end of 2025.  This will ensure that anyone denied or stripped of a clearance in one state will be barred from working with children in other states. The state government also agreed with other states and the Commonwealth to strengthen and improve consistency for a national approach to WWCCs and remove barriers for information sharing. This will include a consistent risk-assessment framework and WWCC exclusion criteria for consideration at SCAG in late 2025. Attorneys-General noted the Commonwealth’s commitment to deliver a new National Continuous Checking Capability (NCCC) – a secure system continuously monitoring WWCC holders against fresh criminal history information from national, state and territory datasets. These national reforms follow major child safety legislation introduced in the NSW Parliament last week, including:  Removing external appeal rights for denied WWCCs Removing external appeal rights for denied NDIS Worker Checks Transferring all appeals to the Office of the Children’s Guardian — the agency best placed to assess risk to children   Attorney General Michael Daley said, “NSW has already acted to close loopholes in our WWCC system. Today’s agreement ensures denied Working with Children Checks will be recognised nationally, so offenders cannot move between states to gain access to children.” Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said, “The NSW Government is determined to see the strengthening of the WWCC system across Australia. Because we want parents to know that people who prey on children can’t slip across state borders unseen.” 

Hunter motorists are getting a taste of the future, with the first widened section on the Hexham Straight now open to traffic with three lanes in each direction. This will also affect Northern Rivers residents travelling to Sydney.The federal and state governments are collectively investing $2.2 billion in the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and the Hexham Straight Widening to reduce congestion and improve safety for all road users.The Australian Government is contributing over $1.79 billion towards the project, with the NSW Government contributing $448 million.Motorists turning left onto Maitland Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass are now benefiting from an additional lane for about 650 metres, including an extension to the turning lane from the bypass.There is also an additional lane for inbound traffic on Maitland Road from about 650 metres north of the bypass, including more space for traffic turning right onto the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.The latest works also include an upgrade to the traffic lights at the intersection of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Old Maitland Road, while the U-turn facility there is also complete.In addition, a new pedestrian crossing and bus stops in front of St Joseph’s Calvary Aged Care will also be put in place.When complete, the Hexham Straight will comprise three lanes in each direction for its entire six-kilometre length, from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Hexham Bridge.This will deliver more reliable travel times for freight and improve safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.The project is expected to open to traffic in 2026. `Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, “This is a significant milestone for the Hexham Straight Widening project, with motorists getting access to three lanes in each direction, even if only for part of the journey.“This is a taste of things to come, with the project still on track to be completed and open to traffic in 2026.“The Australian Government is getting on with the job of delivering for the Hunter, not only through this project but also the broader M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace, the Singleton Bypass, and plans for the Muswellbrook Bypass and the westbound flyover at Maitland.”Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said, “This is a milestone moment for our region and the more than 50,000 motorists who travel this stretch of road every single day.“For too long, Hexham straight has been a notorious bottleneck. Today, we are opening the first stage of a safer, smoother, and more efficient journey for commuters.“This project is a great example of how government investment in infrastructure can change lives and support local economies – reducing congestion, cutting travel times, boosting road safety, and unlocking freight routes.“I am proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government that is delivering the infrastructure that Novocastrians deserve.”State Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said, "The Hunter is the economic powerhouse of NSW, and this project demonstrates our government's commitment to ensuring our region has the world-class infrastructure it deserves."The Hexham Straight is a vital link in our broader Hunter transport network, connecting our growing residential areas with major employment hubs, the Port of Newcastle, and key industrial precincts."This $2.2 billion investment shows what can be achieved when governments work together with a shared vision for the Hunter's future.”State Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “The Hexham Straight Widening is part of a suite of road projects that are transforming the Hunter road network.“This project will help thousands of people get where they’re going more quickly and easily, helping improve their quality of life and underpinning economic growth.“The Minns and Albanese Governments are working together to deliver infrastructure that will meet the needs of the community and motorists now and into the future.”

The number of new investment loans rose by 3.5 per cent in the June quarter, while new owner-occupier loans rose by 0.9 per cent, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Dr Mish Tan, ABS head of finance statistics, said, ‘June quarter’s overall rise in home loans followed a fall in the March quarter. Through the year growth was more subdued at around 0.2 per cent. That said, lending activity is still at relatively high levels. While there were rate cuts in February and May, we will not see the full impact of these on new home lending activity until later in the year.’  Lending to owner-occupiersThere were 80,929 new owner-occupier loans approved in the June quarter 2025, a 0.9 per cent (758 loans) rise compared to the previous quarter. The total value was $54.7 billion, a rise of 2.4 per cent ($1.3 billion). The average loan size rose by $17,804 to $678,011.‘While the number of new owner-occupier loans in the June quarter was slightly lower than this time last year, the value of loans rose by 7.4 per cent. The average loan size has grown by 7.5 per cent since the June quarter 2024. This was consistent with higher property prices, noting growth has been stronger in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia,’ Dr Tan said.The June quarter rise in the number of loans was driven by Queensland (255 loans), South Australia (137 loans), Tasmania (59 loans) and the Northern Territory (57 loans).The total number of loans refinanced between lenders rose by 175 (0.3 per cent) to 65,205 in the June quarter and was 24.1 per cent higher than this time last year.Lending to investorsThere were 49,065 new investment loans approved in the June quarter 2025, a 3.5 per cent (1,656 loans) rise compared to the previous quarter. The total value of new investment loans was $32.9 billion, a rise of 1.4 per cent ($443 million). The average loan size rose by $1,103 to $674,259.‘The 3.5 per cent quarterly growth in the number of investment loans follows two consecutive quarterly falls. While annual growth slowed to 0.8 per cent from 27.0 per cent in the June quarter 2024, the number of new loans remained historically high,’ Dr Tan said.  The number of new loans rose in most states and territories, the largest in the Northern Territory, which rose 21.1 per cent (96 loans) and Western Australia, which rose 1.4 percent (85 loans).First home buyer loansThe number of owner occupier first home buyer loans grew by 1.7 per cent (492 loans) to 28,861. There were rises in Queensland (226 loans), New South Wales (187 loans), Victoria (88 loans), Tasmania (80 loans), the Australian Capital Territory (58 loans) and the Northern Territory (32 loans).

The Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.8 per cent in the June quarter 2025 and 3.4 per cent annually, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said: ‘Annual wage growth to the June quarter 2025 was unchanged from the 3.4 per cent rise seen in the March quarter 2025 but was down from the 4.1 per cent growth at the same time last year.’The WPI rose 0.8 per cent in the June quarter, lower than the 0.9 per cent rise in the March quarter 2025.Ms Marquardt added, ‘The share of wage changes greater than 4 per cent has declined since this time last year. The smaller proportion of jobs with larger wage increases has contributed to lower overall wage growth.’Seasonally adjusted quarterly private sector wages rose 0.8 per cent in June 2025, while public sector wages rose 1.0 per cent.‘This quarter’s lift in the public sector reflected backdated pay rises from recently approved state-based enterprise agreements coming into effect, coupled with regular scheduled pay increases.’ Ms Marquardt said.‘Both the private and the public sectors had lower annual wage growth compared to the June quarter 2024. Wages in the private sector grew 3.4 per cent over the previous 12 months, lower than the 4.1 per cent growth recorded in the year to June 2024. Annual public sector wage growth was at 3.7 per cent this quarter compared to 3.9 per cent at the same time last year.'More information can be found in Wage Price Index, Australia, June quarter 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released the following statement today:Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.  Since 1947, Australia has supported Israel’s existence. In that year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Evatt chaired the UN committee that recommended the creation of two states side by side. Then, as now, the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region.  Australia was the first country to raise its hand at the United Nations in support of Resolution 181, to create the State of Israel – and a Palestinian state. More than 77 years later, the world can no longer wait for the implementation of that Resolution to be negotiated between the parties.  Australia’s decision helps build the historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East. The Netanyahu Government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state.   The international community is moving to establish a Palestinian state consistent with a two-state solution.  In doing so, the world is seizing the opportunity of major new commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including to reform governance, terminate prisoner payments, institute schooling reform, demilitarise and hold general elections. The Palestinian Authority has also restated its recognition of Israel's right to exist. The President of the Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed these commitments directly to the Australian Government. Australia’s position is predicated on the commitments we have received from the Palestinian Authority. We will continue to work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments and to encourage normalised relations between Israel and its neighbours. The commitments by the Palestinian Authority are strengthened by the Arab League’s unprecedented demand for the terrorist organisation Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons.  Together these factors mean that this is the best opportunity Australia may ever have to support moderate voices for peace in the region, to undermine extremism and to further isolate Hamas. This is the movement to which Australia and so many countries are seeking to add momentum.  Hamas continues to damage the prospects of a two-state solution and rejects Israel’s right to exist. Hamas must release the hostages cruelly taken on October 7, 2023, immediately, unconditionally and with dignity. The Australian Government has consistently made clear there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state. Australia is further compelled by the Netanyahu Government's disregard of the international community's calls, and its failure to comply with its legal and ethical obligations in Gaza. Israel is required to protect civilians and ensure the provision of food and medical supplies. Permanent forced displacement of civilians is illegal. Palestinian children deserve a future that looks nothing like their reality today. There is much more work to do in building the Palestinian state. We will work with partners on a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the security of Israel. Australia will continue to be a constructive partner in support of a two-state solution, as the only pathway to a secure and prosperous future that respects the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The NSW Government is strengthening protections against image-based abuse by outlawing the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes. Legislation will be introduced on Thursday to expand existing offences related to the production and distribution of intimate images without consent to cover those created entirely using artificial intelligence. It is already a crime in NSW to record or distribute intimate images of a person without their consent or to threaten to do so. This includes intimate images that have been digitally altered. The Crimes Act 1900 will be amended to make the production of a sexually explicit deepfake designed to be a genuine depiction of a real, identifiable person an offence punishable by up to three years’ jail.Sharing or threatening to share such images, even if the person hasn't created them, will also be a crime punishable by up to three years’ jail.In addition to these new offences, the Government will criminalise the creation, recording and distribution of sexually explicit audio, whether real or designed to sound like a real, identifiable person.The amendments will bring NSW into line with other jurisdictions that have criminalised the non-consensual production and distribution of sexually explicit material involving adults regardless of how it is created. It will not affect existing child abuse material offences that already criminalise the production, possession and dissemination of explicit material of a child.Attorney General Michael Daley said, “The NSW Government recognises the law needs to keep up with technology and we are moving to better protect people, particularly young women, from image-based abuse. “This bill closes a gap in NSW legislation that leaves women vulnerable to AI-generated sexual exploitation.” “We are ensuring that anyone who seeks to humiliate, intimidate or degrade someone using AI can be prosecuted.” Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “The NSW Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for women and children across our state. “This Government takes image-based abuse seriously, and these new laws will criminalise behaviour that is becoming more common with the use of AI. “We are making sure that deepfakes are not weaponised against women, by strengthening the protections afforded to them.” NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said, “The devastating impacts of image-based abuse cannot be underestimated. Rapid developments in AI have made it easy to create extremely life-like, sexually explicit depictions of real people. “These images are humiliating and degrading in themselves, and they can be shared widely and used for intimidation or extortion. “We know that women and girls are the main targets of deepfake images. This is terrifying technology, which can be weaponised to cause immense harm. “It’s vital that the community understands that this form of abuse will not be tolerated – stronger legal protections help send this message.”Full Stop Australia CEO Karen Bevan said, “These changes catch up with the ways we know that AI is being harnessed to cause real-life harm, particularly to women.“The new law directly acknowledges the serious impacts that production and distribution of this non-consensual material have on victim-survivors.“This is a strong message - sexual abuse and harassment is not acceptable in any form or on any platform and the distribution of this material is unacceptable.” Support: Anyone impacted by sexual violence can contact the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline 24/7 on 1800 424 017.

All household types saw rises in quarterly living costs in the June 2025 quarter, ranging from 0.4 per cent to 1.0 per cent, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said: ‘Employee households had the smallest rise in living costs of all household types this quarter. The last time this happened was in the March 2022 quarter, before mortgage interest rates began rising.Households with government payments as their main source of income saw the largest rises in living costs this quarter.’ A significant difference between the Living Cost Indexes (LCIs) and the Consumer Price Index is that the LCIs include mortgage interest charges rather than the cost of building new dwellings. Employee households, whose main source of income are wages and salaries, benefitted most from falling mortgage interest charges, which are a larger part of their spending than for other household types.‘Mortgage interest charges fell 1.4 per cent in the quarter for employee households, as banks cut interest rates for both variable and new fixed rate home loans following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to lower the cash rate target in February 2025,’ Ms Marquardt said. Housing and Food and non-alcoholic beverages were the main contributors to the rise in living costs across all household types.Out-of-pocket electricity costs rose this quarter as the second instalments of both the Commonwealth Energy Bill Relief Fund (EBRF) and State government rebates in Perth were used up by households in the previous quarter. Households in Queensland also contributed to the June quarter rise as they continued to use up the $1,000 State government rebate. Rebates reduce electricity costs for households.Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose across all household types driven by fruit and vegetables. Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers saw price rises following reduced supply, which is typical at this time of year.Annual rises in living costs slowThe annual rise in living costs across all household types slowed this quarter compared to the March 2025 quarter. Smaller annual rises in living costs came with a continued slowing in growth for mortgage interest charges and a fall in automotive fuel prices. ‘Higher Housing and Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices over the year contributed to rises in annual living costs across all household types,’ Ms Marquardt said. Households with government payments as their main source of income saw the largest annual rises in living costs this quarter due to rises in electricity costs. These households saw a larger impact from the EBRF rebates being used up compared to other households types, which meant a proportionally bigger impact on their out-of-pocket electricity costs.Annual growth in living costs for Employee households has continued to slow, up 2.6 per cent in the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter, but down from a 3.4 per cent annual rise to the March 2025 quarter.The most significant contributor to rises in Employee households’ living costs was mortgage interest charges. Annual growth in mortgage interest charges has continued to slow, with an annual rise of 4.5 per cent to the June 2025 quarter, down from an 8.8 per cent annual rise last quarter.Pensioner living costs riseThe Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI) measures living costs for age pensioner and other government transfer recipient households. The PBLCI rose 2.9 per cent in the 12 months to June 2025 quarter, compared to an annual rise of 2.1 per cent in the CPI. Age pensioner and other government transfer recipient households saw larger annual price rises for Housing and Food and non-alcoholic beverages compared to the CPI. ‘Government pensions are indexed on 20 September and 20 March by the greater of the rise in the PBLCI and CPI over a six-month period. ‘Over the six months between the December 2024 quarter and June 2025 quarter, the PBLCI rose 2.7 per cent while the CPI rose 1.6 per cent,’ Ms Marquardt said. For more information on the topics covered in this media release, visit Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia.

The NSW Government has today introduced legislation into Parliament to strengthen Working with Children Checks (WWCC) to better protect children from harm.The legislation will ensure only the Office of the Children’s Guardian – the state’s independent child safety regulator – will be responsible for reviewing WWCC decisions, removing external appeal pathways through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Currently, people with serious criminal histories – including offences involving children – can have decisions made by the Office of the Children’s Guardian overturned. In some cases, this has allowed individuals who were disqualified to return to child-related work.This reform ensures decisions about who can work with children are made – and reviewed – by the body best placed to assess risk to children, the Office of the Children’s Guardian.The same change will be made for NDIS Worker Checks, strengthening the existing internal appeals process within the Office of the Children’s Guardian to provide a more consistent and specialist approach to safety for people with disability.To close gaps in the system across the country, the NSW Government will also advocate for a national register of Working with Children Checks at National Cabinet– so parents can be confident that individuals working with children have been properly cleared – no matter which state or territory they’ve previously worked in.NSW will work with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions to integrate WWCC systems and close information gaps that offenders may exploit by moving interstate.The legislation is part of the State Government’s broader commitment to child safety – including recent reforms to lift standards and accountability in early childhood education and care, such as:Higher fines for service breaches;A new, standalone regulator with stronger enforcement powers;Greater transparency for families on the safety record of providers;A CCTV trial to improve oversight of underperforming services.Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “Families need to know the system will catch the people it’s supposed to.“Stronger regulation isn’t just overdue — it’s essential. We’re putting safety and accountability back at the heart of early education and care.”Minister for Families and Communities, and Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said, “Convicted sex offenders should not have a pathway back into child-related work, full stop.“This legislation closes that loophole for good. It puts child safety decisions where they belong — with the independent expert regulator whose job it is to protect children.”

Australian retail turnover rose 1.2 per cent in June 2025, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This follows a rise of 0.5 per cent in May after a flat April 2025. As previously announced, today’s release is the final publication of Retail Trade, Australia.Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen AO said: ‘Today's final publication comes 74 years after Sir Roland Wilson, Chief Statistician at the time, released the results of the first Retail Trade survey in 1951. Sir Roland noted that total Australian retail sales in the September quarter 1950 amounted to £383.2 million – around $20.5 billion in today’s dollars.‘The ABS would like to thank the many businesses that have contributed over the 74 years of the Retail Business Survey.‘After today’s publication, monthly statistics on household spending will be available in the ABS’ Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI), providing a more comprehensive view of consumption, across both goods and services.’Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said: ‘The strong June month rise in retail turnover was driven by discounts linked to sales and new product releases.‘After steady growth throughout the year, mid-year sales events increased spending on discretionary items like furniture, electrical goods and clothing items.’Non-food related spending drove most of the rise in retail turnover. There were increases in all industries, led by household goods retailing (+2.3 per cent) and other retailing (+1.9 per cent). ‘Consumers are targeting sales events with a focus on value for big ticket items like household furniture, bedding, electronic devices and TVs,’ Mr Ewing said.‘Turnover for electrical and gaming retailers was lifted further by the much-anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which delivered record sales.’There were also rises in department stores (+1.9 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (+1.5 per cent), boosted by end-of-financial year sales and sales of winter clothing. Food-related spending rose after a fall last month. While food retailing (+0.9 per cent) bounced back, spending in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services fell 0.4 per cent.Retail turnover rose in all states and territories, with the Eastern-mainland states seeing the largest rises. Retail volumes rise in June quarterToday’s release also includes quarterly retail sales volumes, which rose 0.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in June quarter 2025.This comes after three straight quarters of volumes growth in March quarter 2025 (+0.1 per cent), December quarter 2024 (+0.8 per cent) and September quarter 2024 (+0.3 per cent).‘Retail sales volumes rose modestly this quarter driven by a strong June month, with turnover boosted mostly by end-of-financial year sales,’ Mr Ewing said. Consumers increased their discretionary spending in household goods retailing (+1.8 per cent) and other retailing (+1.2 per cent) by seeking out and taking advantage of discounts.Retail volumes on a per capita basis fell 0.1 per cent, following a fall of 0.4 per cent last quarter. ‘The per capita fall shows that despite the rise in volumes, consumer spending remains restrained, outstripped by population growth,’ Mr Ewing said.Retail prices rose 0.6 per cent this quarter, easing slightly from 0.7 per cent in the March quarter 2025, based on data from the latest Consumer Price Index.More detailed industry and state analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia.To mark the end of the Retail Trade Publication, the ABS has put together an article commemorating over 75 years of retail trade statistics, which covers the origins and some interesting retail insights throughout the years.

The NSW Government has invested $700,000 to support homegrown arts and cultural productions to tour to 36 regional towns across NSW.Audiences of all ages in towns across NSW – from Bellingen to Albury, Cowra to Cobar, Balranald to Queanbeyan and beyond – are set to enjoy some of the state’s best performances, plays and exhibitions when new productions are toured in the year ahead.It is expected that more than 76,000 people will enjoy one of these tours, a number of which are taking full advantage of newly restored and refurbished cultural spaces, such as Leeton’s Roxy Theatre, Deniliquin’s Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre and award-winning Mudgee Arts Precinct.Through the Regional Arts Touring funding program, the NSW Government supports regional touring projects, ranging from First Nations-led theatre, children’s shows and puppetry workshops, dance performances, museum exhibitions, as well as musical and spoken word performances.Forty per cent of the successful projects funded were developed by regional artists.The changes to Create NSW’s Regional Arts Touring program have resulted in funding for a broader range of recipients that engage priority areas, including Western Sydney and regionally-based productions; visual art and museum exhibitions; and small tours from emerging individual artists.This tour funding will enable ten successful productions, and sixty talented NSW artists and arts workers creatives, to take their exceptional shows and exhibitions on the road. For some recipients, this funding fulfils the dream to tour their work for the first time, including Northern Rivers dancer Max McAuley and writer/performer Mandela Mathia, both presenting their debut work.More details on the Regional Arts Touring funding program can be found here.  Minister for the Arts John Graham said, “Touring is vital for artists and arts organisations to engage new audiences, and for the artists and arts workers to gain important professional development and employment opportunities. “For audiences, the impact of regional touring is immeasurable. The opportunity to see acclaimed productions and cultural programs, the chance to hear new stories – or stories that reflect your own lived experience can captivate imaginations, and inspire communities.“Access to arts and culture contributes to vibrant and connected communities. It’s important that regional and remote communities have opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences.”Create NSW Executive Director Kerri Glasscock said, “Create NSW is thrilled to support the delivery of so many extraordinary, homegrown arts and cultural productions and programs to communities across regional NSW. Touring is vital for ensuring groundbreaking arts and cultural experiences are accessible in regional and remote communities, and that artists from emerging to established can extend the reach of their work.“These are not just stories from the city heading to the bush - this round includes incredible work developed and made in regional communities that are now able to be shared across NSW.”Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi / Wailwan) and Alex McWhirter - Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation said, “Through powerful truth-telling, Secrets of Dawn honours Coota Girls Survivors and all Stolen Generations Survivors who, despite efforts to eradicate First Nations people and culture through assimilation, have resisted and persisted through truth-telling, healing and self-determination.”“Created, directed and co-curated by Meagan Gerrard (Gamilaroi Wailwan), Alex McWhirter and co-curated by Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), the Secrets of Dawn exhibition features historical photos and content from Dawn Magazine, published by the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board from 1952 to 1968, and candid interviews from Coota Girls Survivors. With this funding for the Secrets of Dawnexhibition tour, Meagan and Alex aim to share this healing and truth-telling experience to Coota Girls Survivors and other Stolen Generations Survivors, their families and descendants, broader First Nations communities across NSW, and non-First Nations supporters across Wiradjuri, Awabakal, Gumbaynggirr Country and other regional galleries”

The Federal Government is today introducing legislation to cut 20 per cent off all student debts. This will wipe more than $16 billion in debt for more than three million Australians. The government says its number one focus is continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief for the Australian people. Cutting student debt by 20 per cent will ease pressure on workers and students across the country. For someone with the average debt of $27,600 this will see around $5,520 wiped from their outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans. Backdated to 1 June, it will reduce the burden for Australians with a student debt – including all HELP, Vocational Education and Training (VET) Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, Student Startup Loans, and other student loans. In addition to reducing student debt by 20 per cent, the legislation raises the minimum amount before people have to start making repayments from $54,435 to $67,000 and reduces minimum repayments. For someone earning $70,000, it will reduce the minimum repayments they have to make by $1,300 a year. This builds on our reforms to fix the indexation formula, which has already cut more than $3 billion in student debt. This means, all up, the Federal Government will cut close to $20 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This is another way my Government is continuing to deliver cost of living relief to Australians. “We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in Parliament – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. “Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt. “No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, my Government will work to ensure the doors of opportunity are open for you.” Minister for Education Jason Clare said, “We promised we would cut your student debt by 20 per cent and we are delivering. “This is a big deal for 3 million Australians, in particular, a lot of young Australians. “Just out of uni, just getting started, this will take a weight off their back. “It will also cut their annual repayments. For someone earning $70,000 a year, it will cut the amount they have to repay every year by $1,300.” “That’s real help with the cost of living. It means more money in your pocket, not the government’s.” Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said, “From speaking with students at TAFEs across the country, I know that cost can often be a barrier to Australians pursuing an apprenticeship or qualification. “This bill will deliver cost-of-living relief to almost 280,000 students in the VET sector, cutting half a billion dollars of student debt from this group alone. “Our Government is focused on reducing the barriers to further study and training, so that every Australian can get the skills they need for secure, well-paid jobs.”

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3 per cent in June, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics, said: ‘This month we saw the unemployment rate rise 0.2 percentage points, driven by a 34,000 increase in the number of unemployed people’.Employment rose by 2,000 people this month, following a fall of 1,000 in May, and is up 2.0 per cent compared to June 2024. Part-time employment grew by 40,000 people, offset by a 38,000-person fall in full-time employment.The employment-to-population ratio remained at 64.2 per cent, and the participation rate rose to 67.1 per cent.Hours worked fell 0.9 per cent in June, following a rise of 1.4 per cent in May.‘This month we saw a decrease in full-time hours worked, down 1.3 per cent, associated with a 0.4 per cent fall in full-time employees,’ Mr Crick said.Underemployment and underutilisationThe underemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 6.0 per cent in June 2025. This was 0.4 percentage points lower than June 2024, and 2.7 percentage points lower than March 2020.The underutilisation rate, which combines the unemployment and underemployment rates, rose by 0.3 percentage points to 10.3 per cent. This was 0.1 percentage points lower than June 2024, and 3.6 percentage points lower than March 2020.Underlying trend data‘The trend unemployment rate has risen to 4.2 per cent, after remaining at 4.1 per cent over the previous three months,’ Mr Crick said. Employment grew by around 23,000 people (+0.2 per cent) in June, and 2.1 per cent over the last 12 months.Monthly hours worked rose by 0.1 per cent, which has consistently been smaller than monthly employment growth since the start of 2025.‘In trend terms, the employment-to-population ratio remained at 64.2 per cent in June, while the participation rate stayed at 67.0 per cent. Both measures have remained largely unchanged since the start of 2025,’ Mr Crick said.The underemployment rate remained at 5.9 per cent and the underutilisation rate remained at 10.1 per cent.More information, including regional labour market data, will be available in the upcoming June 2025 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, on Thursday, 24 July 2025.The ABS would like to thank Australians for their continued support in responding to our surveys. 

Australia’s rental crisis has reached unprecedented levels with new data showing rents have increased by an average of 57 per cent across capital cities over the past decade. The new report, titled Out of Reach, by national housing campaign Everybody’s Home, has revealed that once-affordable cities have been hit the hardest. It also shows that social housing has slipped to the lowest share on record, remaining stagnant at 4.1 per cent of all dwellings since the Labor government was elected in 2022. This is a further drop from 4.7 per cent a decade ago, putting even further strain on the rental market. Key findings:Capital city average weekly rents (combined houses and units) have surged 57% from $473 in 2015 to $742 in 2025Over the past decade, Adelaide had the biggest rental increase of 81%, followed by Hobart (76%), Brisbane (66%) and Perth (63%)The sharpest increase occurred in the past three years, with rents rising 34% since 2022Social housing has declined from 4.7% of all homes in 2013 to 4.1% in 2024To reach 10%, Australia needs to build more than 54,000 new social housing dwellings every year over the next 20 years. Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said: “This is a national crisis that is now pricing out everyday people right across the country. This report paints a clear picture of the damage that has been done, and without change it will only get worse. “As the federal government has walked away from providing housing, more and more people are being forced into an already strained private rental market which then pushes up rents right across the board.  “Once-affordable cities like Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart are now suffering from some of the most acute rental pressures in the country. They’ve either caught up or have overtaken the larger cities in terms of unaffordability. With more Australians renting than ever before and being priced out of the private housing market, the need for more low-cost rentals is essential.  “Right now, around 4% of all homes are social housing. To reach 6%, Australia must build more than 36,000 additional social housing dwellings every year for the next decade. If we want one in ten homes to be social housing, we need to build an extra 54,000 social homes every year for 20 years. Whichever way you look at it, the scale dwarfs current government commitments and lays bare both the enormous demand and decades of chronic underinvestment.  “We need government action that matches the scale of the housing crisis. Australian governments have stepped up and mobilised during other emergencies, from COVID-19 to natural disasters. Housing should be no different. “When the new government meets for the first time, housing needs to be at the front of the agenda. Our national leaders need to set binding social housing targets and make the ambitious investments required to make social housing an option for more Australians.”

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has congratulated Tenterfield Shire Council on nearing completion of a $960,000 project to enhance resilience in the villages of Legume, Liston, Drake and Torrington.Ms Saffin, who is also NSW Minister for Recovery, said the NSW and Australian governments had jointly funded the construction of four bores to enhance firefighting capabilities and to provide livestock with access to water in the rural villages.“A media event was held at Legume last week to mark completion of the Legume and Liston bores. I’m told the Drake bore is almost complete and that drilling is still occurring to locate a suitable depth at Torrington,” Ms Saffin said.“I strongly supported this project when asked to give my feedback to the Bushire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund assessment process and was pleased when Council secured this grant in 2021.“Locals who experienced drought conditions followed by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 will welcome a more secure water supply for our communities to prepare and respond to future natural disasters.“I congratulate Tenterfield Shire Council, led by Mayor Cr Bronwyn Petrie and General Manager Hein Basson, councillors and staff on delivering a project which will bring lasting benefits to Legume and Liston, and soon to Drake and Torrington.“I also thank NSW Minister for Regional New South Wales and Agriculture Tara Moriarty MLC for approving Council’s request for a variation to complete the project by 30 September.”