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CreditorWatch stories

Small Australian firms lag larger rivals in hiring plans
Real estate

Small Australian firms lag larger rivals in hiring plans

Only 30% of firms with one to 19 staff plan to recruit in the next year, highlighting a widening gap with bigger employers.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • This month
Australia consumer confidence falls after rate rise
Construction

Australia consumer confidence falls after rate rise

Households are feeling the squeeze as higher fuel costs and the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest rate rise drove confidence down 4.7% in October.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • This month
Australia inflation cools but RBA likely to tighten again
Artificial Intelligence

Australia inflation cools but RBA likely to tighten again

A softer August reading may not spare borrowers, with CreditorWatch warning that broad-based price pressures still point to another RBA hike.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Australian household spending flat as fuel costs rise
Artificial Intelligence

Australian household spending flat as fuel costs rise

Fuel and other essentials kept Australian consumers under pressure in August, with flat spending and weaker non-fuel outlays pointing to caution.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
RBA still tipped to raise rates as jobs data blurs
Inflation

RBA still tipped to raise rates as jobs data blurs

Australia's labour market sent mixed signals in August, but inflation worries still leave the Reserve Bank likely to lift interest rates next week.

By Mara Sugue • 5 min read • Last month
RBA set for September rate rise, CreditorWatch says
Real estate

RBA set for September rate rise, CreditorWatch says

Australian households and debt-laden firms face further borrowing-cost pressure, with CreditorWatch seeing no chance of the RBA standing pat in September.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Australian businesses upbeat despite cash flow strain
Risk & Compliance

Australian businesses upbeat despite cash flow strain

Many Australian firms are still using owners' personal money to prop up working capital, as cash reserves and trading confidence weaken.

By Mara Sugue • 5 min read • Last month
Data centre boom deepens strain on Australia builders
Construction

Data centre boom deepens strain on Australia builders

Residential builders face rising defaults and insolvencies as Australia's AUD $150 billion data centre pipeline squeezes labour and materials.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last month
RBA may hike again as business & consumer strain grows
Inflation

RBA may hike again as business & consumer strain grows

Rising fuel and borrowing costs are squeezing Australian households and firms, bolstering expectations the Reserve Bank may lift rates again in September.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Data centre boom lifts Australian non-residential approvals
Data centers

Data centre boom lifts Australian non-residential approvals

Data centre demand is keeping Australian builders busy and may prolong labour and materials shortages even as home approvals start to ease.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Australian spending rise bolsters case for RBA hike
Artificial Intelligence

Australian spending rise bolsters case for RBA hike

Higher household spending and stubborn inflation have strengthened the case for the Reserve Bank of Australia to lift rates again in September.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
RBA faces September rate hike after inflation spikes
Artificial Intelligence

RBA faces September rate hike after inflation spikes

Higher borrowing costs loom for Australian households after July's trimmed mean inflation reading came in well above the Reserve Bank's target path.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Otto & Restoke join forces on restaurant AI ordering
Digital Transformation

Otto & Restoke join forces on restaurant AI ordering

The deal should help restaurants steer phone orders towards higher-margin dishes while easing pressure on staff and margins.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Mon, 24th Aug 2026
Australia jobless rise does not signal labour weakening
Artificial Intelligence

Australia jobless rise does not signal labour weakening

The slight lift to 4.5% in July was mostly rounding, with labour demand still holding up enough to avoid signalling a broad slowdown.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 20th Aug 2026
One in eight Australian cafés shut as pressures mount
Small Business

One in eight Australian cafés shut as pressures mount

Higher costs and weaker consumer spending have pushed Australia's hospitality sector into its worst strain in years, with arrears at record highs.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 19th Aug 2026
Australia rates rise likely this year, economist says
Westpac

Australia rates rise likely this year, economist says

Persistent inflation and weak household finances leave the Reserve Bank of Australia facing another possible rate rise before year-end.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 18th Aug 2026
RBA holds rates as softer inflation eases pressure
Digital Transformation

RBA holds rates as softer inflation eases pressure

Softer core inflation has given households and businesses a reprieve, but the RBA says housing and wage pressures still threaten progress.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2026
CreditorWatch sees RBA raising rates again by November
Artificial Intelligence

CreditorWatch sees RBA raising rates again by November

Higher borrowing costs for households and businesses may be back by November as inflation risks remain tilted to the upside, CreditorWatch says.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 12th Aug 2026
RBA likely to watch unemployment as job ads soften
Seek

RBA likely to watch unemployment as job ads soften

Rising unemployment and softer hiring demand may keep the Reserve Bank of Australia cautious as it weighs the labour market outlook.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 23rd Jul 2026