Plain-English explanations of Australian economic concepts, policies and data.
Australia USA trade in 2026 is unlike every other major bilateral relationship in Australia’s trade portfolio. With China and Japan, Australia runs large surpluses — selling far more than it buys. With the United States, the reverse is true. Australia imported roughly $93 billion from the US in 2024 and exported around $40 billion in…
Australia Japan trade in 2026 is built on a foundation that has underpinned both economies for more than five decades — energy. Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and imports almost 90 per cent of its energy needs. Australia supplies roughly 70 per cent of Japan’s coal and around 40 per cent of its LNG….
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) China country brief, Australia’s goods and services exports to China totalled $189 billion in 2024–25, representing 29 per cent of Australia’s total global exports. Combined with $120.1 billion in imports from China, the two-way trade relationship stands at $309 billion. Metric Value Australia’s exports to…
Australia’s trading partners in 2026 define not just what we sell to the world, but how exposed our economy is when global relationships shift. In 2024–25, Australia’s total two-way trade in goods and services reached approximately $1.28 trillion — but the trade surplus that once cushioned the economy has narrowed sharply, from $54.8 billion in…
US tariffs on Australia in 2026 are not the clean 10 per cent story they appeared to be in early April 2025. Twelve months on from “Liberation Day,” the tariff landscape has been reshaped by a Supreme Court ruling, a new presidential surcharge, exemptions that protect Australia’s biggest export, and two active investigations that could…
Payday super 2026 is the biggest change to Australia’s superannuation system in years — and with the 1 July start date now 77 days away, most Australian workers and employers have not yet adjusted for it. From that date, every employer in Australia must pay super contributions on payday, aligned with wages, and received by…
Current Cash Rate Status — May 2026: The RBA raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35% on 5 May 2026 — the third consecutive hike this year. The vote was 8-1. All of 2025’s rate cuts have now been fully reversed. The next RBA meeting is 15–16 June 2026. Westpac is the…
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax rates and thresholds are set by the Australian Taxation Office and may change. Always verify current figures at ato.gov.au and consult a registered tax agent for advice specific to your circumstances. Australia’s tax rates for the 2025-26 financial year —…
This article is for general informational purposes only. Centrelink payment rates change regularly through indexation. Always verify current rates directly at servicesaustralia.gov.au before making financial decisions based on this information. More than 5 million Australians — approximately 20 per cent of the population — receive Centrelink payments administered by Services Australia. In 2026, payment rates…