October 17

Which of the following is misinformation or disinformation - a false claim about changes to the superannuation system?

Early withdrawals will require more stringent documentation and approval, particularly for those accessing funds for severe hardship or medical emergencies.

Early withdrawals will attract higher tax rates, with rates potentially reaching up to 27% for those under 60, compared to the previous lower rates.

There will be new limits on lump-sum withdrawals, with higher amounts subject to additional checks.

All of the above.

Got an old Opal card lying around? You might want to check the balance. What is the NSW government planning to do with unused balances on dormant Opal cards?

Donate the funds to public transport charities.

Automatically refund balances to registered users.

Reclaim up to $70 million from unregistered cards unused for five years.

Convert all unused balances into travel credits for tourists.

Halloween is growing in popularity across Australia, with more adults getting into the spooky spirit. How much is Halloween spending expected to reach this year?

$103 million.

$250 million.

$500 million.

$1 billion.

The ATO is reminding over 2 million Australians to lodge their tax returns before October 31. What happens if you miss the deadline and aren’t using a registered tax agent?

You’ll automatically get an extension.

You’ll be charged a late penalty starting at $330.

Your tax refund will be forfeited.

You’ll need to reapply for a Tax File Number.

Australia’s unemployment rate has ticked up to 4.5%, the highest since late 2021. But what unusual job opportunity is currently available for those looking to escape the 9-to-5 grind?

A seasonal role as a beach lifeguard in Queensland.

A contract position with the Australian Antarctic Program, where a carpenter can earn nearly $157,000 plus super.

A remote customer service job with the ATO.

A short-term role as a wildlife ranger in Kakadu National Park.

Planning to grab Christmas gifts during Black Friday sales? What important deadline should you keep in mind if you're sending parcels overseas via economy air?

All parcels must be sent by December 24 to guarantee delivery.

Australia Post will hold all international parcels until January unless sent express.

Economy air parcels to popular destinations like China and India must be sent between November 21 and 28.

There are no deadlines - international shipping runs year-round without delays.

Thinking about switching to an interest-only home loan? What’s one realistic risk that financial experts warn about?

You’ll automatically lose access to your offset account.

Your loan will convert to a fixed rate without notice.

The bank will require you to refinance every year.

You may end up spending the money you would have put toward principal repayments.

Gold has more than doubled in price since late 2023, but what’s one historical risk of buying gold when it’s near its peak?

Gold prices tend to stay flat for decades after a peak.

Gold often drops sharply after a peak, and unlike bonds, it doesn’t generate income.

Central banks usually sell off their gold reserves after a peak.

Gold becomes taxable once it crosses a certain price threshold.

Australian investors have been shifting their focus toward emerging markets in 2025. What is one reason this trend could carry risks?

Emerging markets are guaranteed to underperform developed markets.

Currency instability and political events can cause sharp losses.

ETFs tracking emerging markets are not available to retail investors.

Emerging markets never recover after a downturn.

What is the name of the hacking group behind the Qantas data breach?

Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters.

Phantom Byte Collective.

Red Echo Syndicate.

Null Sector Crew.