Consistent with market expectations, the 2025-26 Federal Budget was relatively uneventful amidst an uncertain economy, global trade wars and rising tariff tensions.
The focus was on targeted cost-of-living relief ahead of the upcoming election, with tax cuts and new spending measures designed to ease financial pressures on households.
Highlights:
> Cost-of-living support:
Tax cuts for all Australian taxpayers, energy bill relief, lower medicine costs, and reduced student debt.
> Strengthening Medicare:
More bulk-billed GP visits, new urgent care clinics, and increased funding for hospitals and women’s health.
> Housing support:
Expanded Help to Buy scheme, foreign buyer restrictions, and funding to build more homes and support renters.
> Education & skills:
Free TAFE made permanent, wage increases for early childhood educators, and university funding reforms.
> Boosting the economy:
Small business support, incentives for green industries, and investments in infrastructure and energy.
This article has been issued by Fortnum Private Wealth Ltd ABN 54 139 889 535 AFSL 357306 and Fortnum Advice ABN 52 634 060 709 AFSL 519190 (Collectively known as Fortnum) (‘Licensee’). The information provided is current as at 25 March 2025 and is subject to change. This article is not intended to contain personal financial, taxation or legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Any advice in this article is general advice only and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You should obtain specialist financial, taxation or legal advice relevant to your circumstances before making financial decisions. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, the Licensee does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of it and does not guarantee any particular outcome. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
There’s no telling how the market will perform in a given year. But all the ups and downs you learned to live with throughout your working life become much more consequential as you approach what’s called the ‘retirement risk zone’ – the five to ten years either side of your retirement date. This is when your savings are particularly vulnerable to market downturns.
On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced wide ranging tariffs which surprised investment markets in both their magnitude and variability. Investment markets reacted negatively to the announcement as investors quickly moved to a “risk-off” stance whilst they attempted to quantify the risks of the Trump tariffs and implications for both investment markets and the economy.
Certe is part of the AZNGA Group. General Advice Warning: The information provided on this webpage is intended to provide general information only and the information has been prepared without taking into account any particular person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on such information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Certe Wealth Protection Pty Ltd (ABN: 31 150 270 278) and Genesis Financial Partners (ABN: 24 095 795 878) are Corporate Authorised Representatives of Fortnum Private Wealth Ltd ABN 54 139 889 535 AFSL 357306.
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