NSW, Qld and SA to get free midday power from July 1

Free midday electricity starts in July, Australian house prices could rise nearly $90,000 in 2026, silver beats gold and grocery delivery costs jump. Here are five things you may have missed this week.

Free midday power could cut costs by $1100

The winding back of state and federal energy rebates will likely push up power bills this year.

Despite this, Australians are still not shopping around for a better deal.

A Roy Morgan survey found close to one in four (22%) households with solar panels and battery systems have switched power providers in the last 12 months as they chase the best solar energy buy-back rates (known as feed-in tariffs).

Meanwhile, less than one in six (16%) households nationally have moved to a new power provider.

It means plenty of us could be missing out on lower electricity bills.

However, savings may lie ahead.

Federal energy minister Chris Bowen recently announced the next steps for the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO).

The scheme is designed to let all Australians benefit from the massive volume of rooftop solar energy being pumped back into the grid.

Under the SSO, households with smart meters in New South Wales, southeast Queensland, and South Australia will be able to opt into a plan that provides three hours of free power in the middle of the day, starting July 1.

By shifting energy-hungry activities like running a dishwasher or clothes dryer to the free period, households could save as much as $1100 on annual power bills.

Australian house prices tipped to rise nearly $90,000 in 2026, new KPMG forecast shows

If you're planning a property purchase in 2026, it may pay to get in quick.

Analysis by KPMG shows house prices nationally are expected to surge 7.7% through 2026.

With the median capital city house price currently sitting at $1.152 million, that growth, if it happens, could add an extra $88,700 to the median house value.

Apartments buyers may fare only slightly better.

The current median unit value of $737,000 across our major cities is projected to rise 7.1% this year, potentially pushing prices up by $52,000.

KPMG says property prices are being driven higher by the ongoing tight supply of new homes coupled with the expansion of the 5% Deposit Scheme for first home buyers in late 2025.

Silver beats gold in 2025 returns as demand sparks supply pressure at Perth Mint

The price of gold has skyrocketed (again), pushing past $7890 per troy ounce on Thursday, up from $6473 on New Year's day - a rise of 22% in less than a month.

Along with geopolitical concerns and a weaker US dollar, the price of gold is being pushed higher by the $US89 billion ($126 billion) that poured into physically-backed gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) last year.

However, another precious metal has wildly outshone gold.

While gold climbed 65% (in US dollar terms) last year, silver surged almost 150%.

Silver is also a lot more affordable at $171 per troy ounce.

Demand for silver is so strong that Perth Mint has limited the availability of some silver products.

Perth Mint's Chief Commercial Officer, Sawan Tanna, says the "extraordinary interest" in silver bullion products has made it challenging to fill orders.

He adds, "We can assure you there is no shortage of silver, it just isn't in the specific forms being requested by our customers which is putting pressure on manufacturing operations."

Perth Mint is upping its staff numbers to speed up processes.

Amazon launches fresh grocery delivery with Harris Farm in Sydney - but convenience may cost more

Sydneysiders can now have fruit and veg, meat and specialty groceries home delivered via Amazon.

Amazon Australia has teamed up with Harris Farm Markets, to offer fresh produce with same-day and next-day delivery.

Amazon Prime members will receive free shipping on Harris Farm orders $100 and over. Non-members need to spend at least $200 to get free delivery.

Amazon joins a growing line of home delivery services.

Aldi teamed up with DoorDash last year, and announced this month that the supermarket's highly sought-after middle aisle 'special buys' can now be home delivered.

There's clearly money to be made in Australia's $17 billion home delivery business (Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, didn't become one of the world's wealthiest people by chance).

But it may not be so rewarding for consumers.

A CHOICE investigation found shoppers can pay 40% more for some grocery items ordered through delivery apps.

Woolworths has just announced a new $2 fee for home deliveries on a Sunday or public holiday, starting February 3.

2026 Census jobs pay $42 an hour as ABS begins hiring thousands of Australians

2026 is a census year, and come August 11 we'll all be expected to answer a bunch of questions from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

For most of us, completing the census is a chore, though thankfully one that only rolls around every five years.

For thousands of Australians however, the census is a chance to pocket extra income.

Right now, the ABS is looking for 2700 Australians to fill Field Manager roles (hourly pay of $42.65).

Over the next two months, other census-related jobs will open up including remote area roles.

If you're interested, call the Census recruitment support line on 1300 100 557.

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