Australians are upset about gas prices. This chart shows why
Wholesale gas prices on Australia's east coast have more than tripled in the past decade while those on the west coast have flatlined, amid speculation the federal government is considering a major gas market intervention to address runaway prices.
New analysis by consultancy EnergyQuest shows average Australian household gas prices have risen at more than twice the rate of those in Western Australia, where export gas is reserved for domestic use. However, the research shows prices still remain well below those paid in most international markets.
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Sydney Morning Herald
42 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why international students love Sydney's in-demand public schools
A number of Sydney schools that have exceeded their enrolment cap do have international students, including Castle Hill, Cronulla, Prairiewood and Epping Boys high schools. They have been popular with students who come to Sydney to access the well-regarded Higher School Certificate curriculum. In 2024, 33 international students attended Castle Hill High School, which is over capacity by 1043 students. While those schools will honour agreements with existing students, the department said: 'NSW public schools can only take in international students when they have capacity. If a school has reached its enrolment cap, it cannot enrol new international students.' International students in senior years pay about $19,000 each to study in Sydney, contributing about '$40 million a year' to the department's revenue, Wan said. Between 2019 and 2024, Australia experienced a 23 per cent reduction in international school students. The number fell from 4551 in 2019 to 3500 in 2024. Mechel Pikoulas, the principal of Strathfield Girls High School, which has 58 international students and is under capacity, said overseas students enrich classrooms. 'You have got the world in every classroom,' she said. 'You have that diversity in every classroom. They bring an incredible depth and intellectual quality [to the classroom]. They have academic rigour as well. 'There's definitely a lift in the academic push because they are coming with such high academic standards that lift our school across the board.' Wan said it is also becoming increasingly difficult to find homestay families. Families who once took in primary school and high school students are now turning to international university students, who pay more than school-aged children. 'There hasn't been as many families around. Higher education providers are offering crazy money per week for homestay families. We are in a cost-of-living crisis. It's putting more pressure on the supply of homestay.' Wan said international students' parents use public primary and high schools as a pathway into Australian universities. 'They are impressed by Australia's education system,' he said. 'They know that our universities are amazing, and they know that our schools are a great way to get kids prepared and great results that will allow them to go on to university. 'They appreciate the different way we do things here. Students talk about the pressure they get back home, and families understand it's not sustainable – it's not the best environment for their child to thrive.' Loading Homestay provider Agnes Ong, of Global Experience, said some of the most in-demand areas among international parents are Hunters Hill, Strathfield, Burwood, Concord, Cabramatta, Kogarah and Mosman, but it is difficult to place students in some schools. 'Burwood and Strathfield is quite popular, but they are very strict [with catchment zones]. We are rarely able to place students because of that. There are not many families living in Burwood and Strathfield who are able to take under 18s,' Ong said. 'Some schools are quite flexible and allow students to be placed outside the catchment area as long as it's a reasonable travelling distance, up to 50 to 60 minutes. At the moment we have a lot of families in the St George, Beverley Hills, Northern Beaches, Canterbury and Parramatta areas.'
The Age
42 minutes ago
- The Age
Why international students love Sydney's in-demand public schools
A number of Sydney schools that have exceeded their enrolment cap do have international students, including Castle Hill, Cronulla, Prairiewood and Epping Boys high schools. They have been popular with students who come to Sydney to access the well-regarded Higher School Certificate curriculum. In 2024, 33 international students attended Castle Hill High School, which is over capacity by 1043 students. While those schools will honour agreements with existing students, the department said: 'NSW public schools can only take in international students when they have capacity. If a school has reached its enrolment cap, it cannot enrol new international students.' International students in senior years pay about $19,000 each to study in Sydney, contributing about '$40 million a year' to the department's revenue, Wan said. Between 2019 and 2024, Australia experienced a 23 per cent reduction in international school students. The number fell from 4551 in 2019 to 3500 in 2024. Mechel Pikoulas, the principal of Strathfield Girls High School, which has 58 international students and is under capacity, said overseas students enrich classrooms. 'You have got the world in every classroom,' she said. 'You have that diversity in every classroom. They bring an incredible depth and intellectual quality [to the classroom]. They have academic rigour as well. 'There's definitely a lift in the academic push because they are coming with such high academic standards that lift our school across the board.' Wan said it is also becoming increasingly difficult to find homestay families. Families who once took in primary school and high school students are now turning to international university students, who pay more than school-aged children. 'There hasn't been as many families around. Higher education providers are offering crazy money per week for homestay families. We are in a cost-of-living crisis. It's putting more pressure on the supply of homestay.' Wan said international students' parents use public primary and high schools as a pathway into Australian universities. 'They are impressed by Australia's education system,' he said. 'They know that our universities are amazing, and they know that our schools are a great way to get kids prepared and great results that will allow them to go on to university. 'They appreciate the different way we do things here. Students talk about the pressure they get back home, and families understand it's not sustainable – it's not the best environment for their child to thrive.' Loading Homestay provider Agnes Ong, of Global Experience, said some of the most in-demand areas among international parents are Hunters Hill, Strathfield, Burwood, Concord, Cabramatta, Kogarah and Mosman, but it is difficult to place students in some schools. 'Burwood and Strathfield is quite popular, but they are very strict [with catchment zones]. We are rarely able to place students because of that. There are not many families living in Burwood and Strathfield who are able to take under 18s,' Ong said. 'Some schools are quite flexible and allow students to be placed outside the catchment area as long as it's a reasonable travelling distance, up to 50 to 60 minutes. At the moment we have a lot of families in the St George, Beverley Hills, Northern Beaches, Canterbury and Parramatta areas.'
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Car insurance premiums are still increasing, just not as quickly
New data published by Canstar shows car insurance premiums have increased by 5.8 per cent or $122 this year – up from an average annual fee of $2104 in 2024 to $2226 in 2025. While that's a much smaller increase than the 30.5 per cent average price hike in 2024, insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the state or territory in which you live, as well as your age, sex and driving record, and of course the type of vehicle you're insuring. Canstar's 2025 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards is based on the analysis of over 67,000 full comprehensive policy quotes for both new and used cars in a range of scenarios, and with a state-specific target excesses ranging from $800 to $1000. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The data shows that, on average, Victorians pay the most for their comprehensive car insurance, at $2940 per annum. They have also been hit with the biggest annual increase, with premiums rising by an average of $225 or 8.3 per cent year-on-year. When it comes to driver types, mature drivers experienced the biggest price hikes, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent in their comprehensive cover over the past year. But the highest car insurance prices overall continue to be paid by young male drivers under 25, who face average annual premiums exceeding $3000 because their higher accident rates make them a greater risk for insurers. Canstar says someone paying an average premium of $2226 who switches to one of its top-rated policies could potentially save up to $692 or 31.1 per cent in one year, while drivers who switch to a five-star rated policy in Victoria stand to save more than those in any other state – $967 or 32.9 per cent on average. In terms of driver types, it's families who stand to save the most (more than $1000) by switching to a five-star policy as rated by Canstar, followed closely by young male drivers. "This year's premium increases might not have been as steep as previous years for many drivers, but a 5.8 per cent hike isn't exactly easy to swallow," said Canstar's data insights director Sally Tindall. "One of the biggest mistakes drivers can make is viewing their annual renewal notice as a tick and flick exercise. Instead, your notice should be seen as a reminder to do a quick comparison. "Our research shows drivers taking out a new policy can potentially save $692 by switching from an average priced premium to a Canstar top-rated one. That's an average saving – those who have copped price hikes from their insurer for years could stand to save even more." Based on the 51 products it examined from 43 insurers as part of its 2025 Car Insurance Ratings and Awards, Canstar identified six providers that offered outstanding value to Australian drivers both nationally and by state/territory, based on a comprehensive comparison of price and policy features. It also nominated one that offered the highest claims satisfaction and claims features nationwide. Outstanding Value Award: Bingle, Budget Direct, ING, ROLLiN' Insurance, Virgin MoneyQLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA: ROLLiN' InsuranceWestern Australia: BingleNorthern Territory: Australia PostMost Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Claims: RAA "When shopping around for insurance, price is important, however, it's not necessarily about getting the lowest price policy in town. You want to be looking for value for money, that is, a decent level of cover at a competitive price," continued Ms Tindall. "The research team at Canstar has compared an astonishing 67,000 quotes across 43 different providers, assessing both the cost and what's included for each one to help drivers identify good-value options. "There are also other ways to reduce your premium, like increasing your excess, removing additional drivers who no longer use the car and maintaining a clean driving record. "It's also worth checking if your insurer offers discounts for infrequent and safe drivers. For example, ROLLiN' Insurance uses a 'Safe 'n' Save' app that assesses things like a driver's acceleration and braking with a discount of up to 15 per cent on offer based on your score. "For people on an ultra-tight budget, the temptation might be to ditch their comprehensive insurance altogether, however, a quick check could potentially see you keep your insurance, with a higher level of cover at a lower price – all in one simple switch." Content originally sourced from: New data published by Canstar shows car insurance premiums have increased by 5.8 per cent or $122 this year – up from an average annual fee of $2104 in 2024 to $2226 in 2025. While that's a much smaller increase than the 30.5 per cent average price hike in 2024, insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the state or territory in which you live, as well as your age, sex and driving record, and of course the type of vehicle you're insuring. Canstar's 2025 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards is based on the analysis of over 67,000 full comprehensive policy quotes for both new and used cars in a range of scenarios, and with a state-specific target excesses ranging from $800 to $1000. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The data shows that, on average, Victorians pay the most for their comprehensive car insurance, at $2940 per annum. They have also been hit with the biggest annual increase, with premiums rising by an average of $225 or 8.3 per cent year-on-year. When it comes to driver types, mature drivers experienced the biggest price hikes, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent in their comprehensive cover over the past year. But the highest car insurance prices overall continue to be paid by young male drivers under 25, who face average annual premiums exceeding $3000 because their higher accident rates make them a greater risk for insurers. Canstar says someone paying an average premium of $2226 who switches to one of its top-rated policies could potentially save up to $692 or 31.1 per cent in one year, while drivers who switch to a five-star rated policy in Victoria stand to save more than those in any other state – $967 or 32.9 per cent on average. In terms of driver types, it's families who stand to save the most (more than $1000) by switching to a five-star policy as rated by Canstar, followed closely by young male drivers. "This year's premium increases might not have been as steep as previous years for many drivers, but a 5.8 per cent hike isn't exactly easy to swallow," said Canstar's data insights director Sally Tindall. "One of the biggest mistakes drivers can make is viewing their annual renewal notice as a tick and flick exercise. Instead, your notice should be seen as a reminder to do a quick comparison. "Our research shows drivers taking out a new policy can potentially save $692 by switching from an average priced premium to a Canstar top-rated one. That's an average saving – those who have copped price hikes from their insurer for years could stand to save even more." Based on the 51 products it examined from 43 insurers as part of its 2025 Car Insurance Ratings and Awards, Canstar identified six providers that offered outstanding value to Australian drivers both nationally and by state/territory, based on a comprehensive comparison of price and policy features. It also nominated one that offered the highest claims satisfaction and claims features nationwide. Outstanding Value Award: Bingle, Budget Direct, ING, ROLLiN' Insurance, Virgin MoneyQLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA: ROLLiN' InsuranceWestern Australia: BingleNorthern Territory: Australia PostMost Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Claims: RAA "When shopping around for insurance, price is important, however, it's not necessarily about getting the lowest price policy in town. You want to be looking for value for money, that is, a decent level of cover at a competitive price," continued Ms Tindall. "The research team at Canstar has compared an astonishing 67,000 quotes across 43 different providers, assessing both the cost and what's included for each one to help drivers identify good-value options. "There are also other ways to reduce your premium, like increasing your excess, removing additional drivers who no longer use the car and maintaining a clean driving record. "It's also worth checking if your insurer offers discounts for infrequent and safe drivers. For example, ROLLiN' Insurance uses a 'Safe 'n' Save' app that assesses things like a driver's acceleration and braking with a discount of up to 15 per cent on offer based on your score. "For people on an ultra-tight budget, the temptation might be to ditch their comprehensive insurance altogether, however, a quick check could potentially see you keep your insurance, with a higher level of cover at a lower price – all in one simple switch." Content originally sourced from: New data published by Canstar shows car insurance premiums have increased by 5.8 per cent or $122 this year – up from an average annual fee of $2104 in 2024 to $2226 in 2025. While that's a much smaller increase than the 30.5 per cent average price hike in 2024, insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the state or territory in which you live, as well as your age, sex and driving record, and of course the type of vehicle you're insuring. Canstar's 2025 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards is based on the analysis of over 67,000 full comprehensive policy quotes for both new and used cars in a range of scenarios, and with a state-specific target excesses ranging from $800 to $1000. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The data shows that, on average, Victorians pay the most for their comprehensive car insurance, at $2940 per annum. They have also been hit with the biggest annual increase, with premiums rising by an average of $225 or 8.3 per cent year-on-year. When it comes to driver types, mature drivers experienced the biggest price hikes, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent in their comprehensive cover over the past year. But the highest car insurance prices overall continue to be paid by young male drivers under 25, who face average annual premiums exceeding $3000 because their higher accident rates make them a greater risk for insurers. Canstar says someone paying an average premium of $2226 who switches to one of its top-rated policies could potentially save up to $692 or 31.1 per cent in one year, while drivers who switch to a five-star rated policy in Victoria stand to save more than those in any other state – $967 or 32.9 per cent on average. In terms of driver types, it's families who stand to save the most (more than $1000) by switching to a five-star policy as rated by Canstar, followed closely by young male drivers. "This year's premium increases might not have been as steep as previous years for many drivers, but a 5.8 per cent hike isn't exactly easy to swallow," said Canstar's data insights director Sally Tindall. "One of the biggest mistakes drivers can make is viewing their annual renewal notice as a tick and flick exercise. Instead, your notice should be seen as a reminder to do a quick comparison. "Our research shows drivers taking out a new policy can potentially save $692 by switching from an average priced premium to a Canstar top-rated one. That's an average saving – those who have copped price hikes from their insurer for years could stand to save even more." Based on the 51 products it examined from 43 insurers as part of its 2025 Car Insurance Ratings and Awards, Canstar identified six providers that offered outstanding value to Australian drivers both nationally and by state/territory, based on a comprehensive comparison of price and policy features. It also nominated one that offered the highest claims satisfaction and claims features nationwide. Outstanding Value Award: Bingle, Budget Direct, ING, ROLLiN' Insurance, Virgin MoneyQLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA: ROLLiN' InsuranceWestern Australia: BingleNorthern Territory: Australia PostMost Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Claims: RAA "When shopping around for insurance, price is important, however, it's not necessarily about getting the lowest price policy in town. You want to be looking for value for money, that is, a decent level of cover at a competitive price," continued Ms Tindall. "The research team at Canstar has compared an astonishing 67,000 quotes across 43 different providers, assessing both the cost and what's included for each one to help drivers identify good-value options. "There are also other ways to reduce your premium, like increasing your excess, removing additional drivers who no longer use the car and maintaining a clean driving record. "It's also worth checking if your insurer offers discounts for infrequent and safe drivers. For example, ROLLiN' Insurance uses a 'Safe 'n' Save' app that assesses things like a driver's acceleration and braking with a discount of up to 15 per cent on offer based on your score. "For people on an ultra-tight budget, the temptation might be to ditch their comprehensive insurance altogether, however, a quick check could potentially see you keep your insurance, with a higher level of cover at a lower price – all in one simple switch." Content originally sourced from: New data published by Canstar shows car insurance premiums have increased by 5.8 per cent or $122 this year – up from an average annual fee of $2104 in 2024 to $2226 in 2025. While that's a much smaller increase than the 30.5 per cent average price hike in 2024, insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the state or territory in which you live, as well as your age, sex and driving record, and of course the type of vehicle you're insuring. Canstar's 2025 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards is based on the analysis of over 67,000 full comprehensive policy quotes for both new and used cars in a range of scenarios, and with a state-specific target excesses ranging from $800 to $1000. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The data shows that, on average, Victorians pay the most for their comprehensive car insurance, at $2940 per annum. They have also been hit with the biggest annual increase, with premiums rising by an average of $225 or 8.3 per cent year-on-year. When it comes to driver types, mature drivers experienced the biggest price hikes, with an average increase of 6.5 per cent in their comprehensive cover over the past year. But the highest car insurance prices overall continue to be paid by young male drivers under 25, who face average annual premiums exceeding $3000 because their higher accident rates make them a greater risk for insurers. Canstar says someone paying an average premium of $2226 who switches to one of its top-rated policies could potentially save up to $692 or 31.1 per cent in one year, while drivers who switch to a five-star rated policy in Victoria stand to save more than those in any other state – $967 or 32.9 per cent on average. In terms of driver types, it's families who stand to save the most (more than $1000) by switching to a five-star policy as rated by Canstar, followed closely by young male drivers. "This year's premium increases might not have been as steep as previous years for many drivers, but a 5.8 per cent hike isn't exactly easy to swallow," said Canstar's data insights director Sally Tindall. "One of the biggest mistakes drivers can make is viewing their annual renewal notice as a tick and flick exercise. Instead, your notice should be seen as a reminder to do a quick comparison. "Our research shows drivers taking out a new policy can potentially save $692 by switching from an average priced premium to a Canstar top-rated one. That's an average saving – those who have copped price hikes from their insurer for years could stand to save even more." Based on the 51 products it examined from 43 insurers as part of its 2025 Car Insurance Ratings and Awards, Canstar identified six providers that offered outstanding value to Australian drivers both nationally and by state/territory, based on a comprehensive comparison of price and policy features. It also nominated one that offered the highest claims satisfaction and claims features nationwide. Outstanding Value Award: Bingle, Budget Direct, ING, ROLLiN' Insurance, Virgin MoneyQLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA: ROLLiN' InsuranceWestern Australia: BingleNorthern Territory: Australia PostMost Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Claims: RAA "When shopping around for insurance, price is important, however, it's not necessarily about getting the lowest price policy in town. You want to be looking for value for money, that is, a decent level of cover at a competitive price," continued Ms Tindall. "The research team at Canstar has compared an astonishing 67,000 quotes across 43 different providers, assessing both the cost and what's included for each one to help drivers identify good-value options. "There are also other ways to reduce your premium, like increasing your excess, removing additional drivers who no longer use the car and maintaining a clean driving record. "It's also worth checking if your insurer offers discounts for infrequent and safe drivers. For example, ROLLiN' Insurance uses a 'Safe 'n' Save' app that assesses things like a driver's acceleration and braking with a discount of up to 15 per cent on offer based on your score. "For people on an ultra-tight budget, the temptation might be to ditch their comprehensive insurance altogether, however, a quick check could potentially see you keep your insurance, with a higher level of cover at a lower price – all in one simple switch." Content originally sourced from:
