Economy stories

Australia's family business sector, contributing AUD $1b annually to philanthropy and employing half the workforce, calls for dedicated government ministers.

The Denodo University Challenge invites global students to develop AI solutions for real-world social and economic issues, with registration open until 16 November.

Contractor and consulting roles surge globally, with Oyster reporting a 46% rise in contractor engagements and a tenfold increase in consulting hires in 2024.

Business numbers in Australia have surged over 17% since 2019, led by healthcare growth and booming regions like Melton, Victoria, despite economic challenges.

Anetac launches Human Link Pro, unifying human and non-human identity management with AI to combat rising security risks amid workforce shifts globally.

Retailers name the cost of living crisis their biggest challenge in 2025, with 56% citing it as the main concern amid economic uncertainty, says Fluent Commerce.

Qantas and Airbus have committed AUD $15 million to Climate Tech Partners, aiming to boost sustainable aviation fuel and decarbonisation tech in aviation.

A report reveals that business travellers are booking hotels earlier, with average lead times rising to 17.35 days in late 2024, up nearly 7% from 2023.

Workplace gifting is evolving as living costs rise, with fewer colleagues contributing but higher average amounts per gift, reports GroupTogether.

The Canberra Innovation Network has boosted the Australian Capital Territory's economy, adding AUD $196 million to its Gross State Product in 2024.

LG Electronics has achieved record third-quarter revenue of AUD $24.23 billion amidst ongoing global economic challenges.

Quantaco's Hospitality Industry Update reveals a 7% increase in weekly sales in Q1 2025, highlighting resilience amid rising living costs.

The New South Wales Government has initiated a series of market update sessions to enhance exports to ASEAN, projected to be a top global economy by 2040.

As Australia grapples with a cost of living crisis, Convincely CEO Pratik Doshi urges retailers to employ innovative tactics to draw in and retain customers.

CommBank and Telstra team up with COSBOA to launch Cyber Wardens, a free training program aimed at safeguarding Australia's small businesses from costly cyber threats.

Australian marketers struggle with adapting to new Privacy Act reforms amid a backdrop of high interest rates and evolving economic conditions, as per a recent Arktic Fox report.

New Accenture research suggests responsible AI adoption could boost APAC's economy by $4.5 trillion in 15 years, elevating GDP growth by 0.7 percentage points annually.

In response to economic upheavals, 50% of boardroom leaders, particularly in the US and UK, have shrunk tech budgets over the past year.

Australian firms are struggling to manage evolving employee spend habits, with an SAP Concur study highlighting increased office, travel, and entertainment expenses.

Australia's leading bank and telecoms firm collaborate with COSBOA to simplify cybersecurity for small businesses, launching free security training, 'Cyber Wardens'.