There are fears that rising fees and expenses are impacting participation rates in children’s sport and are placing many families under financial pressure. A recent AusPlay survey has found that the average cost to participate in sport is about $970 per year, with more than half of that chewed up in basic membership costs. With groceries, fuel and other living expenses on the rise, it seems parents are reconsidering spending money on their children’s organised sport. Chairman of the North East Football Commission, John Byrne said he understands the financial burden extracurricular activities can have on families. “We should never…
Author: Zara Koschitzke
In a stark reflection of the ongoing economic challenges faced by Australians, the Commbank iQ Cost of Living Insights report has shown a generational divide in spending habits due to an increase in the cost-of-living. The new data, released on Wednesday, shows adults under 35 are tightening their belts and significantly cutting back on expenses, while older Australians are increasing their spending. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), individuals under the age of 35 have experienced a significant reduction in discretionary spending over the past year. Rising housing costs, soaring education fees, and…
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, there is mounting demand from a group of MPs and advocates for the Australian government to swiftly reform the HECS-HELP repayment system. Australians who have student debt will be subjected to the most significant increase in several decades, starting from June 1, 2023. The Australian tertiary education sector will be hit hard as the federal government has announced the indexation on HECS student debts will increase by upwards of 7%. The decision has upset students, education experts, and politicians, who say it will deter students from going to university and increase already high levels of student…
It is early in the AFL season, round three is underway and one of the biggest issues on and off the field is concussion. AFL is a physical, some would say brutal, game and retired players claim they are suffering the consequences of the many head knocks they received playing the game. The incidence of concussions that caused players to miss matches increased to 3.68 injuries per club in the 2021 AFL season – up from 1.30 injuries per club in 2020. This figure has since increased, although the 2022 data set is still to be released. Australian Institute of…
It is no secret that the cost of living is rising – quickly – and it’s expected to keep rising throughout 2023. Australians are tightening their spending and saying no to items they normally wouldn’t think twice about. Collaborative database Expatisan has ranked eleven cities in Australia, in order of cost of living. Sydney has ranked number one, followed by Melbourne. Wollongong, a coastal town, heavily populated with University students sits in 9th place. The Sydney Morning Herald reported during a cost of living inquiry that the Reserve Bank’s head of economic analysis, Dr Marion Kohler said people have different…