Explore the top Australian business, economy, and technology news from November 10–16, 2025. From market shifts to government regulation, innovation, and sustainability, this weekly summary highlights the trends shaping Australia's digital future.
Australia’s economic and technology landscape continued to shift this week, offering a mix of optimism, regulatory momentum, and critical industry insights. Here’s a clear breakdown of what mattered most between November 10–16, 2025—brought to you by QRco.au.
📉 Markets & The Economy: Volatile Yet Surprisingly Optimistic
The ASX closed lower this week, weighed down by banking sector turbulence. Even with major institutions like CBA posting strong profits, investors reacted with sharp sell-offs—showing how sensitive markets remain to inflation and interest-rate expectations.
But despite mixed market signals, consumer sentiment turned positive for the first time in almost four years. Australians are beginning to feel better about the economy, even as the RBA maintains a cautious stance, hinting that rates may stay steady for longer and economic growth could plateau.
Property investors, however, remain undeterred. Investment loans surged 13.6% this quarter, setting a new record and revealing continued confidence in real estate as a long-term asset class.
🏛 Government, Policy & Regulation: Big Tech Under Pressure
A major regulatory move took center stage: The Australian Government proposed forcing tech giants and digital platforms to pay for local news—or face heavy penalties.
This proposal builds on previous bargaining code frameworks and is open for consultation until December, signaling a strong stance in support of local journalism.
Alongside this, the government launched new public consultations on online safety, aiming to modernize digital protection laws and better reflect the safety expectations of Australian families and businesses online.
💡 Technology, Innovation & Fintech: Urgency for a National Strategy
A significant development this week came from the OECD, which warned that Australia’s fragmented approach to science and technology policy is holding back national competitiveness.
The message was clear: Australia needs a cohesive tech strategy, stronger collaboration across government, industry, and education, and faster adoption of emerging technologies.
Tech activity across the country remained vibrant, with:
- World Business Forum Sydney
- ARCA Credit Summit
- Fintech pitch nights
- Innovation forums across states
These events showcased growing interest in AI, robotics, and digital transformation—areas the government is increasingly prioritizing for future economic resilience.
🌱 Sustainability & Net Zero: Climate Debate Intensifies
Political parties diverged on their paths toward Australia’s Net Zero by 2050 commitments, setting the stage for major climate-policy debates ahead of the 2026 election.
Businesses are watching closely, as shifting political positions may influence sustainability investments, carbon reduction commitments, and long-term energy strategies.
🔍 The Bottom Line
This week highlighted a Australia that is:
- Economically cautious but more optimistic
- Pushing forward on digital regulation and safety
- Challenged to align its technology strategy with global expectations
- Still working through major climate policy crossroads
For businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the message is clear: Australia’s transformation continues, but the next 12 months will be critical in shaping the nation’s digital, economic, and sustainability future.