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Professional Indemnity Australia Weekly Risk and Insurance News

Each week, Professional Indemnity Australia brings a clear, plain-English wrap of the news affecting professionals and small businesses across the country. We cover industry developments, regulatory updates, notable cases, and emerging risk trends—distilling what changed, why it matters, and practical takeaways you can act on. Expect concise, trustworthy coverage tailored to consultants, contractors, and SMEs, helping you stay informed, compliant, and confident without the noise.

This Week:

Weekly wrap for 7 December 2025. Parliament passes the instant asset write‑off for FY25‑26 (under $20,000 per asset; turnover under $10m), with a reminder to align policy details when upgrading. AFCA builds a new scams ombudsman service, with expanded jurisdiction from 12 March to investigate receiving banks—businesses should tighten payment controls and keep evidence. An ombudsman decision limits a dental COVID claim to the listed premises, highlighting the need to match policy schedules to actual revenue streams and locations. Another ruling says insurers must share information used in claim decisions; keep thorough records and request your file early.

EPISODE 971 | Professional Indemnity Australia Weekly Risk and Insurance News | Sun, 7th Dec 2025

8 Dec 2025 | Paige Estritori

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Read Full Transcript:

Hello and welcome to Professional Indemnity Australia Weekly Risk and Insurance News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 7 December 2025. First, a quick win for planning. Parliament has passed the instant asset write‑off for this financial year. Small businesses with turnover under ten million can immediately deduct eligible assets under twenty thousand dollars. It wont suit every purchase, but it can help cash flow. If youre upgrading tools, software or equipment, make sure your business activities and sums insured still match what you actually do before you renew your professional indemnity cover. Next up, scams response is stepping up. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, is building a new scams ombudsman service and hiring senior leaders now. From 12 March next year, AFCA will be able to look into cases involving “receiving banks” and accounts opened by fraudsters, even when the complainant isnt a customer of that bank. For small businesses, that means a clearer pathway to dispute scam losses. Tighten payment controls, confirm bank details before transferring funds, and keep records—your insurer or broker will want that evidence if something goes wrong. Meanwhile, an ombudsman ruling involving a dental groups COVID losses is a reminder to check your policy details. The claim was only paid for losses at the insured Brisbane premises; events revenue and procedures at other locations werent covered because they werent listed and werent incidental to the stated business. If most of your income comes from off‑site work, training, or subcontracted locations, make sure those activities and sites are on your policy schedule. That alignment helps avoid unpleasant surprises and supports a smoother claims process. And staying with claims, another decision found an insurer acted unfairly by refusing to provide phone call recordings used in a claim assessment. Youre entitled to information relied on to decide your claim. The practical move: keep notes of every conversation, request copies of decision documents early, and lean on a broker who will chase the file for you. Good records reduce stress and help resolve disputes faster. Thats it for this week. If todays stories raised questions about your cover, head to professional-indemnity-australia.com.au for clear guides and to compare professional indemnity options backed by expert support. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and stay safe out there.

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