Finance Australia's Weekly Money and Business News
Each week, we round up the biggest money and business stories across Australia — from rate moves and market shifts to policy updates and consumer trends. Expect clear context, concise takeaways, and what it could mean for households and SMEs. No fluff, no hype — just trustworthy headlines, quick explainers, and signals to watch so you can stay informed and make organised decisions.
This Week:
Paige Estritori covers the weeks key moves for Australian households and SMEs: card surcharges end on 1 October with fee transparency and lower interchange caps; draft laws propose a 30% minimum tax on certain discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028 with consultations to 18 September; GDP rose 0.4% in Q2 (2.1% y/y), implying rates may stay higher for longer; AFCA consults on new scam-related dispute rules under the Scam Prevention Framework to 28 September; and banks tweak savings accounts by cutting base rates. Practical prompts: review merchant pricing, model trust tax impacts, stress‑test cash flow, tighten anti‑scam controls, and check savings account conditions.
EPISODE 2876 | Finance Australia\'s Weekly Money and Business News | Sun, 6th Sep 2026
8 Sep 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to Finance Australias Weekly Money and Business News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 6 September 2026.
First up, big change for payments. From 1 October, businesses wont be allowed to add card surcharges on Visa, Mastercard or eftpos. The Reserve Bank of Australia — thats the RBA — is also lowering interchange caps and pushing for clearer published fees. Some providers have already trimmed merchant service fees. If you rely on surcharging, review prices, check your terminal plan, and compare offers so the cost of acceptance doesnt eat your margin.
Meanwhile, the government has released draft laws for a 30% minimum tax on certain discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. Fixed trusts, widely held trusts, AMITs, super funds and charities are excluded, and non‑corporate beneficiaries could receive a non‑refundable offset. Consultations run to 18 September. If you operate through a family trust, watch this closely and model the cash‑flow impact before you restructure anything.
On the economy, Australias GDP grew 0.4% in the June quarter, about 2.1% over the year. Stronger than expected, with vehicle purchases and a lift in dwelling investment, but productivity is still weak. For households and SMEs, it means borrowing costs may stay higher for longer if inflation proves sticky. Build scenarios with a modest rate buffer so repayments and working capital still stack up.
Also on consumer protection, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority — AFCA — is consulting on new “Scam Rules” under the Scam Prevention Framework, set to expand scam‑related dispute coverage across banks, telcos and digital platforms. Submissions close 28 September. Use this window to tighten your processes: verify payees, review payment controls, and keep clear records so youre ready if something goes wrong.
Quick personal finance note: several major banks tweaked savings accounts this week, trimming base rates while holding headline bonus rates steady. Check conditions to be sure youre actually earning the top rate.
Thats it for this week. For free eligibility checks, quote comparisons, and calculators to plan your next move, head to finance-australia.
et. Im Paige Estritori — thanks for listening, and Ill catch you next Sunday.
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