Cyber Insurance Online :: News

Share this news item!

NSW Budget Prioritizes Resilience, Aimed at Insurance Affordability

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.

The latest NSW budget signals a significant boost for improving insurance outcomes by heavily investing in resilience building and working towards emergency services levy reforms.

Unveiling the 2024-25 budget, the Minns government has announced a substantial allocation of $5.7 billion over the next four years focused on disaster response and natural calamities, with Australian government contributions included.

Among the key initiatives, $525 million is set aside for the Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers and Central West, promoting voluntary home buybacks and flood-proofing just to name a few enhancements. Meanwhile, the Resilient Lands Program will receive $87.4 million aimed at creating new housing and land opportunities in Northern Rivers.

"The focus on resilience is truly commendable," stated Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia. "By proactively addressing the need to safeguard properties and human lives from the increasing menace of severe weather, the government is paving the path for improved insurance scenarios."

An equally notable aspect of the budget is the government's renewed commitment to replacing the current insurance-based emergency services levy (ESL) with a property levy mechanism.

According to the budget documents, growing needs for emergency services spurred by climate change and frequent natural disasters are driving the push for change. The documents mention, "Transitioning from the ESL to a broader-based property levy would alleviate the pressure on insurance premiums and distribute the cost more equitably among all property owners."

Insurers have long been advocating for such reforms. Mr. Hall praised the move, remarking, "Eliminating the ESL will definitely reduce insurance costs for customers in NSW. The existing system has long penalized policyholders especially those living in flood-prone areas, already burdened by hefty insurance premiums."

IAG, another major player in the insurance arena, also lauded the budget. Nick Hawkins, CEO and MD, commented, "Measures like voluntary home buybacks, planned relocations, house raising, and retrofits are critical. These steps will not only enhance safety but also secure long-term protection for residents in high-risk zones."

The budget papers project a significant growth in ESL-related revenue, estimating an uptick of $205.6 million by 2027-28 when compared to the previous half-year review of 2023-24. This increase highlights the provisioning of additional resources to elevate emergency services for the NSW community.

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the government anticipates collecting around $1.32 billion in ESL revenue, with projections for the subsequent years being $1.27 billion in 2025-26, $1.22 billion in 2026-27, and $1.24 billion in 2027-28.

However, insurance duty revenues have observed a slight decline, revised downward by $7 million for 2023-24 and by $34 million over the next four years up to 2027-28, a situation attributed to fluctuations in year-to-date collections.

From Insurance News Magazine: How Government Disaster Payouts Could Drive the Search for a "Better Way" on Climate Adaptation.

Published:Thursday, 20th Jun 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Growing Demand for Latent Defects Insurance in Australian Construction

02 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's construction industry is witnessing a significant shift towards latent defects insurance (LDI), a trend gaining momentum as New South Wales (NSW) approaches its 2028 deadline to mandate LDI for residential projects. This move underscores the sector's commitment to enhancing structural integrity and homeowner protection. - read more

How Rising Construction Costs Are Affecting Insurance Claims in Australia

02 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's construction sector is grappling with significant cost escalations, which are having a direct impact on insurance claims and repair timelines. According to a recent report by Crawford & Company, various factors are contributing to this trend, including rising material prices, labour shortages, and an increase in builder insolvencies. - read more

ICA's Push for Reforms to Lower Insurance Costs and Strengthen Housing Resilience in Queensland

02 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has recently submitted a series of recommendations to the Queensland Productivity Commission, aiming to reform the state's construction industry. These proposals are designed to reduce insurance costs and bolster housing resilience, addressing both economic efficiency and disaster preparedness. - read more

ATA Challenges Productivity Commission's Proposal to Double Truck Fuel Tax

01 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has expressed strong opposition to the Productivity Commission's proposal to more than double the tax on truck fuel. The plan suggests phasing out fuel tax credits for trucking operators, effectively increasing the fuel tax rate from the current 32.4 cents per litre to 66.1 cents per litre by 2035. - read more

PERILS Revises Loss Estimate for November 2025 Storms in Queensland and NSW

01 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

In a recent update, catastrophe data provider PERILS has increased its insurance industry loss estimate for the severe convective storms that struck Queensland and New South Wales between November 21 and 27, 2025. The revised estimate now stands at AU$2.95 billion, marking an 11% rise from the initial figure of AU$2.663 billion released in January 2026. - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Cyber Insurance Articles

From Phishing to Hacking: Examining the Coverage Options of Cyber Insurance Policies

In today's digital landscape, Australian small businesses face a myriad of cyber risks that can threaten their operations and financial stability. From sophisticated phishing scams to debilitating hacking attacks, the need to safeguard against such digital threats has never been more pressing. This introductory guide serves to illuminate the complexities of the cyber risk environment within Australia, focusing on the small business sector's unique vulnerabilities. - read more

Understanding Cyber Threats and How They Affect Your Finances

Cyber threats refer to malicious acts that seek to damage data, steal information, or disrupt digital operations. These threats can come in various forms, such as malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and more. - read more

Understanding the Risks: How Cyber Threats Can Cripple Your Business

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Australian businesses face an ever-increasing array of cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing schemes to ransomware attacks, these dangers lurk in the virtual shadows, often going unnoticed until it's too late. Recognizing and understanding these cyber risks is not just important; it's crucial for the sustainability and success of any modern enterprise. - read more

Protecting Sensitive Data: Cyber Threat Prevention for Remote Teams

Remote work has seen a significant rise in Australia, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. More businesses are embracing flexibility, allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. - read more

Case Studies: The True Impact of Cyber Attacks on Australian Small Businesses

As we delve into the digital era, the number of cyber threats that challenge Australian small businesses is significantly on the rise. Cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, frequent, and continue to disrupt the operations of small enterprises, often with devastating consequences. The need to fortify defenses against such threats has never been more paramount. - read more

Knowledgebase

Incontestability Clause:
A provision in a life insurance policy that prevents the insurer from voiding coverage due to a misstatement by the insured after a certain period.

This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (ACN 010 281 008) as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust (ABN 35 957 893 714), 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228. Clark Family Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative (AR 1298860) of Unique Group Broker Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 509434) for financial product referrals and an Authorised Credit Representative (ACR 401491) of Saccasan Pty Ltd (ACL 386297). Check our licensing details on the ASIC registers: Clark Family Pty Ltd ACR, Clark Family Pty Ltd AR, Saccasan Pty Ltd, Unique Group Broker Services.

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.