NSW to reclaim $70m from unused Opal card balances
NSW government to claw $70 million from Opal cards, Aussies not spooked about spending $500 million on Halloween, and the looming deadline facing over 2 million Australians. Here are five things you may have missed this week.
'Use or lose it' warning for Opal card holders
If you live in NSW, especially Sydney, there's a good chance you have an Opal card lying around - and it could have an unused balance.
But not for long.
The NSW state government plans to pocket the balances sitting on 17 million unregistered Opal cards that haven't been used in five years.
While the average unused balance is just $4 per card, the sheer scale of cards involved means the NSW government could recoup $70 million from the forgotten cards.
The Minns government will launch a 12-month education campaign before recovering the unused balances.
It's a reminder to anyone with an Opal card that's been collecting dust to recover their funds.
Many of the unused cards are believed to have been purchased by interstate and overseas tourists.
Halloween casts record-breaking spell over Aussie shoppers
Australians are tapping into their spooky spirit and spending big on Halloween.
This year sees fright night fall on a Friday, and more than one in five Aussie adults are getting into the swing of Halloween, buying creepy costumes, haunted house decorations, stocking up on lollies or planning to throw a monster bash.
Fleur Brown of the Australian Retailers Association, says, "Halloween continues to grow in Australia.
"From witches and wizards to superheroes and even costumed pets, Australians are getting into the spirit."
Halloween spending is tipped to reach a record $500 million this year.
It's still a relatively affordable celebration, with average spending working out to $103 per person.
If you're decorating the home or garden for Halloween, Birdlife Australia recommends avoiding fake spiderwebs that can entangle and entrap birds especially during the spring nesting season.
Looming deadline for tax returns
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is urging over 2 million taxpayers to lodge their income tax returns before October 31.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson warns, "If you're lodging yourself, you need to have completed and submitted your return by October 31.
"If you plan to lodge through a registered tax professional, you must be on their books by 31 October."
Lodging by the due date ensures you won't cop late penalties, which start at $330.
Part of the appeal of partnering with a tax agent is that you could have until May 2026 to lodge your return. That can be a big plus if you owe a tax debt.
Using a tax agent does come with a cost. As a guide, H&R Block charges upwards of around $109 for a basic tax return.
The upside is that a tax agent's fee can normally be claimed as a tax deduction in the following financial year.
Job market softens ahead of summer spike
Australia's unemployment rate has climbed to 4.5%, up from 4.3% in August.
Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics, says it's the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate since late 2021.
According to online job marketplace SEEK, job ads have been on the rise over recent months. However, the number of applications per role have surged to the highest on record.
The news is not all bad though.
SEEK senior economist, Dr Blair Chapman, says we can expect businesses to step up their seasonal hiring activity ahead of Christmas and the busy summer season.
If you're looking for a job without the 9-5 grind, the Australian Antarctic Program has started recruiting for its 2026/27 season.
Contracts range from four months to more than one year, and among the roles on offer, plenty favour tradies.
Casey station leader Andy Warton, says, "Antarctica tests you - physically, mentally, emotionally. But the rewards are incredible."
The pay's not bad either.
A carpenter working in Antarctica can earn a salary of almost $157,000 plus 15.4% super.
If you're up for the challenge, head to the Australian Antarctic Program website for details.
AusPost announces deadlines for sending holiday mail
Australians holding out for November's Black Friday sales to grab bargain-priced Christmas gifts for friends and family living overseas, may need to think again.
This year sees Black Friday fall on November 28.
The catch is that Australia Post has set a deadline between November 21 and 28 for parcels sent by economy air freight to popular destinations such as China, south-east Asia, India and the Middle East.
Parcels heading to other destinations including New Zealand, the UK and the US, need to be with AusPost by early December.
If you're happy to pay express post rates, you could have a little extra time up your sleeve.
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