Income Insurance Australia :: Podcasts

Income Insurance Australia Weekly News insights

Each week, we sift the Australian income protection landscape: policy and regulation updates, insurer moves, claim trends, and workplace risk stories. Get clear, plain-English takeaways, myth-busting context, and what changing rules may mean for employees, sole traders, and gig workers. It’s a trustworthy, industry-specific news wrap to keep your household income know-how sharp without the jargon. Expect concise interviews and pointers to credible sources so you can stay prepared.

This Week:

AFCA set a ‘lead decision approach on December 22 for 1800+ Shield and First Guardian complaints, aiming to speed consistent outcomes. ASIC banned a Melbourne adviser for seven years over Shield‑linked advice, underscoring the need to verify who advises you. Earlier this month, a major platform moved to repay about $100m to First Guardian victims, highlighting how super, investments and insurance can interact. The Productivity Commission issued 47 recommendations on December 22 to lift productivity, a reminder to check income protection settings as conditions evolve. Practical takeaways: keep records, confirm adviser credentials and ensure waiting and benefit periods still fit your work and budget.

Read Full Transcript:

Hello and welcome to Income Insurance Australia Weekly News insights, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 28 December 2025. First up, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, said on December 22 it will use ‘lead decisions to move more than eighteen hundred complaints tied to the collapsed Shield and First Guardian funds. That means faster, consistent outcomes for many similar cases. If you were caught up in that saga, watch for updates from your fund or adviser. For everyone else, its a reminder to keep your policy records tidy so any income insurance claim can move quickly. Meanwhile, on the same day, a Melbourne adviser was banned from providing financial services for seven years over inappropriate advice linked to Shield. ASIC—the Australian Securities and Investments Commission—said clients were steered into high‑risk options. Your move: check whos advising you, ask how theyre paid, and make sure any income protection recommendation is tailored to your job and budget, not theirs. Still on fallout, earlier this month a major platform agreed to repay about a hundred million dollars to First Guardian victims after admitting it didnt assess the fund well enough before putting it on its menu. For workers and sole traders, thats a clear signal: investments, super and insurance can interact in complex ways. Keep an eye on communications from your super fund about any group insurance you hold, and consider whether separate cover better suits how you earn. Finally, the Productivity Commission released forty‑seven recommendations on December 22 aimed at lifting Australias productivity. Its a big‑picture policy story, but the takeaway is simple: the economy may stay bumpy as reforms roll out. If time off work would hit your household, make sure your income protection settings—waiting period, benefit period and monthly amount—still match your needs as we head into 2026. Thats the wrap. For clear comparisons and a free income insurance assessment, visit income-insurance.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and stay safe.

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

powered by Financial Services Online | © Copyright Clark Family Pty Ltd - all rights reserved

IMPORTANT: We do not provide financial product advice or credit assistance. We act solely as an introducer and refer enquiries to licensed third-party intermediaries, insurers, and lenders - with whom you can then deal directly. We may receive a fee or commission from these third parties in consideration for the referral. Before any action is taken to obtain a product or service referred to by this website, advice should be obtained (from either the third party to whom we refer you or from another qualified intermediary) as to the appropriateness of obtaining those products having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Whilst we have our own process for validating the legitimacy of our referral partners, you should always verify the credentials of your financial adviser before proceeding with recommendations that they may present. Visit the ASIC website for further information.