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03/06/2026

Every economic model of how we survive coronavirus crisis comes with a big assumption at its heart Top business news for you selected by KY

Today should have been Budget night, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg fronting the nation for the second time with a plan for the nation. But that's all ancient history, writes David Taylor.

02/06/2026

Mortgages and break-ups: Some practical tips when separating

Breaking up is hard to do. On top of the emotional impact, there are practical ramifications as well.

When there’s a separation or divorce, debts you’ve accrued during the relationship unfortunately don’t go away. The longer a couple is together, the harder it can be to unravel all the financial connections.

Here we outline some of the issues facing both de facto and married couples when dealing with what is usually their most significant debt: the mortgage. Used alongside professional legal and financial advice, it’s possible to make this difficult transition a little less stressful.

Get advice from the experts

The end of a relationship is one of life’s most stressful events. You don’t have to handle it alone – there’s emotional, legal and financial support out there.

Counselling

Visit a counsellor to work through the emotional weight of breaking up – it’s hard to make decisions when you’re angry or sad. You may want to access a Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediator to assess whether both parties are emotionally ready to negotiate on money matters, and to help resolve disputes.

Legal advice

Lawyers who specialise in family law can provide legal advice. Initially, they can advise whether you’re eligible for legal aid, and help with timelines and deadlines for your property settlement. Importantly, they should help you to set realistic expectations.

Financial advice

Talk to your lender or broker to understand the current state of your mortgage, and to learn what options are available regarding mortgage repayments. You may be able to defer payments, giving you time to get back on your feet. Your lender or broker can also help you review your finances before you decide whether you can refinance and take on the mortgage yourself. It’s a sad fact, but they’ve probably dealt with this situation before.

Sort out your living arrangements

Some separating couples are able to continue living in the same house, while for others that simply isn’t possible. If one of you needs to move, sort that out first, before turning your attention to the mortgage. Again, financial advisors, lawyers and brokers can help you plan a budget and figure out how your mortgage will be paid until you sell or settle.

Settle your finances

When you divorce or separate, your assets will be divided. To help you understand your financial situation, have all your documentation at hand – bank statements, tax returns, superannuation, and so on. With professional advice, you can figure out your assets and liabilities, what each person is entitled to, and whether one of you can afford to take on the mortgage alone, or if you have to sell.

One option: Sell the property

You might decide to sell your property, divide any assets and move on. The first step is to have your property appraised so you know the market value. From there you can figure out your total equity. For example, if your house is appraised at $800,000 and you owe $200,000 on the mortgage, your equity is $600,000.

Things can become complicated if there’s a disagreement about how and when to split your assets and liabilities. Legal expertise or a mediator may be needed.

Another option: Sell to your partner, or buy them out

If one of you wants to remain in the house, it might be possible for that person to refinance the mortgage and take it on alone, depending on their income and other assets. This is sometimes the preferred option if there are children involved.

Again, agreement must be reached on the value of the property and whether it’s a 50-50 split. Professional property valuers, financial advisors and lawyers are all able to provide advice and information.

It’s difficult figuring out who gets what and when, but getting the right legal and financial advice can help you both break up the mortgage and move on with your lives.

Relationships Australia’s A Fair Share provides a good summary of your options and of the Family Dispute Resolution process. You can also get great information on the legal process from the Family Court of Australia.

02/06/2026

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

02/06/2026

First there was drought, fires and coronavirus. Now a diplomatic row with China threatens wineries and farmers Top business news for you selected by KY

Until the coronavirus pandemic, Leogate Estate Wines was flying high, but many of its sales channels have been shut off and now a spat between Australian and China is threatening its main export market.

01/06/2026

Brisbane developer is offering apartments on a deferred settlement basis

- By Michael Mata 13 MAR 2018

Reed Property Group is offering the 20 remaining apartments in its Belise project in Brisbane’s Bowen Hills on a deferred settlement basis to help investors trying to navigate the difficult financial environment, according to Richard Ash, non-executive director for Reed Property Group.

Under the plan, buyers who pay a deposit of $60,000 or more can acquire a unit and pay monthly lease fees (equivalent to rent). They can settle in five years when the developer plans to hand over the title, Ash told The Australian Financial Review.

Reed has already paid back its debts on the project, and added that it was changing its offer to meet current market needs.

“The world has changed. There is no doubt the availability of debt for home owner-occupiers and investors has changed. Purchasers will find it easier to refinance or get finance in five years’ time,” Ash said.

Regulator-mandated credit curbs for investors, and an oversupply of new units in the Brisbane CBD and inner suburbs, have softened prices and sent vacancy rates soaring. Nevertheless, unit prices are projected to rise within the next five years, by which time buyers would be looking to secure financing.

“We think there may be some downside left but probably not a lot,” Ash said. “We’re very comfortable that in the next three to five years there is upside in those prices.”

01/06/2026

Let your customers be your partners; let your vendors be your employees. What's necessary in this transformation more than anything else is courage and a willingness to change.

- Safra A. Catz

"Let your customers be your partners; let your..." - Safra A. Catz quotes from BrainyQuote.com

01/06/2026

Travel company asks for government bailout to pay Queensland tourism operators Top business news for you selected by KY

A New Zealand rich lister whose travel empire owes millions to tourism operators lobbies for a Queensland Government bailout over debts racked up before coronavirus shutdowns.

31/05/2026

Frydenberg warns of huge hit to state economies if restrictions forced to return Top business news for you selected by KY

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was due to deliver the Budget tonight, but with COVID-19 throwing the economy into chaos, he will instead deliver a scaled-back financial statement to Parliament.

30/05/2026

ASX to fall, Nasdaq outperforms as COVID-19 cases rise Top business news for you selected by KY

Australian shares fall after a jump in COVID-19 cases in South Korea and Germany rattled investors and led to a mixed performance across global markets.

29/05/2026

Australia housing market among world's riskiest, study finds

By Gerv Tacadena 18 SEP 2018

While many aspiring homebuyers are looking to break into the housing market of Australia, a recent study warned not to get too excited as the country is amongst the riskiest place for home purchases.

In a think piece for Motley Fool Australia, industry watcher Brendon Lau cited a recent study by Oxford Economics which marked Australia as one of the riskiest housing markets across the globe, alongside Sweden, Canada, and Hong Kong.

According to the study, these housing markets have all experienced a housing boom followed by skyrocketing debt levels, as well as having a significant share of mortgagees on floating rate loans.

With regards to housing valuation index where the long-term average is 100, Australia sits at 160, the lowest of the four. Valuations above 125 indicate that there is a 60% chance of prices decelerating over the next five years.

In fact, Sydney and Melbourne's prices were already seeing home prices begin to decline, even before lenders started an out-of-cycle hike. With 82% of mortgagees in Australia being on variable rate loans, Australians could be in trouble if rates increase significantly.

"It may not take much to put many households under financial stress given that Aussie households are the most, if not one of the most, leveraged," Lau said.

He added: "Add in poor wages growth into the mix and you can see how things can fall like a house of cards. The latest jobs data highlights this risk. While the headline figure was better than expected, underutilisation remains elevated and economists believe it will be a while yet before we get any meaningful wage growth here."