News
APRA data reveals a clear and ongoing behavioural trend: Australians are increasingly engaging with superannuation as a strategic planning tool rather than treating it as a passive system. From younger buyers using voluntary contributions to accelerate their path to home ownership, to retirees leveraging downsizer strategies to optimise their retirement income and tax position, the system is being used more actively and intentionally.
Following the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures, an important change to Australia’s superannuation system has been confirmed: the general transfer balance cap (TBC) will increase from $2.0 million to $2.1 million on 1 July 2026.
Australia enters 2026 with a market narrative shaped by a delicate balance between inflation dynamics, interest rate expectations, and geopolitical crosswinds.
Retirement planning in 2026 is being shaped by several regulatory and fiscal developments that affect contributions, pay cycles, healthcare costs, and personal tax outcomes. These changes align with a broader policy intent to improve fairness, reduce cost burdens, and enhance retirement security. For Phillips Wealth Partners clients, the principal task is to translate new rules into practical improvements in cashflow and sustainability.
The Australian labour market is stabilising, yet it remains highly competitive for specialised skills. Employers across technology, digital services, project delivery, and data‑driven roles continue to seek cloud engineers, AI specialists, cybersecurity consultants, project managers, and data architects. For individuals navigating this environment, opportunities for income growth and career mobility are significant, but they require a considered approach to skills development, financial planning, and personal risk management.
When it comes to staying safe and independent at home, sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. That’s the philosophy behind HomeMods, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people live comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.
Australia’s aged care system has entered a period of major transformation, with the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024 and the introduction of the Support at Home program. These reforms represent a structural reset designed to improve rights, transparency, safety, and the overall quality of services available to older Australians. Families, retirees, and those planning for later life will notice significant changes in how care is delivered and how decisions about care are made. The reforms also carry important financial and planning implications, including adjustments to budgeting, retirement modelling, and estate preparation.
Uni of Canberra's SPICE at Home trial has now commenced and is actively recruiting participants. This innovative co-designed program offers a free 8-session dementia rehabilitation intervention, designed to support people living with dementia who may be unable, or not ready, to access other dementia programs. This could include people who do not have a care partner to support attendance outside the home.
As the festive season approaches, I am thinking about menus, wrapping gifts, and whether the prawns will run out before lunch. But my mind also wanders to something a little less sparkly: Wills, death and taxes. Strange? Maybe. But hear me out…
At the recent Australian Financial Review Super & Wealth Summit, industry leaders, regulators, and financial experts came together to discuss what lies ahead for retirement savings and wealth management. The key themes were clear: new taxes on large balances, longevity risk, and the great generational wealth transfer.
Regret risk is not about reckless spending; it is about intentional enjoyment of the resources you have worked hard to build. Many clients fear consuming capital because they see their superannuation as a tank that must never run dry.
The Reserve Bank has a tough job ahead. There is no chance of an interest rate cut at the December meeting, and a rate hike is now on the table if inflation continues to accelerate. If this trend holds, rate reductions could be pushed back until 2026. That means mortgage holders and household budgets will continue to feel the squeeze.