July 1 - Here's What Just Went Up

“Price rises” – these dreaded two words haunt Australian households every July. 

Sadly, the 2017/18 financial years looks to be no different especially with the rampant boost in energy prices, which in some states (we are thinking of you SA members) has reached outrageous levels.

However, with a little fiscal focus and price probing, you might be able to lessen the financial stress this year.

As valued FiftyUp Club members, we’ve done a little marketplace research to highlight the main increases across the major Aussie states, which threaten to impact your daily cost of living.

And please, as always, remember - don’t shoot the messenger! After all, we are all in this journey of making ends meet together.

South Australia

Apart from the aforementioned electricity and gas rises, SA members will now have to pay more for single bus and train tickets, which have risen by 10c to $5.40. Car rego fees have also increased by $3 to $123 for 4 cylinder vehicles and by $8 to $365 for V8s. Car driver’s licence fees have gone up by $5 for a five year term to $215, whilst pet owners will face a $210 fine if they are sprung not picking up their animals dung! That’s some serious… Shih Tzu!

New South Wales

NSW members are now being asked to cough up more dough to ride on public transport following a 2.4% increase in Opal fares. The cost of all-day travel for seniors' Gold Opal cards is $2.50.

Yet it’s not all bad news. Green slips have been reduced to under $600 for Sydney motorists whilst stamp duty is no more for first homebuyers of new and existing properties up to $650,000.

Queensland

Queenslander’s registration costs have risen by 3.5 per cent. Excluding compulsory third-party insurance, registration for four-cylinder cars has now skipped from $352.30 to $364.65.

Meanwhile, hospitality, pharmacy and retail workers will cop cuts to their penalty rates on their first pay cheque. That said the Queensland Government has vowed to keep the First Home Owners' Grant at $20,000 until the end of the year.

Victoria

For Victorians, stamp duty cuts will help first home buyers eager to get into the market, however, conditions continue to get harder for property investors with increases in interest only loans. What’s more, the price of a new car has jumped 1 per cent or $300 for a $30,000 vehicle.

Western Australia

Western Australian members, water and sewerage prices have climbed 6%, public transport 1.8%, motor injury insurance 2.8% with driver’s licences increasing by 1.7%.