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Checklist to assist insolvency practitioners

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

How to access the checklist

To assist insolvency practitioners when preparing an indemnity request, we have developed an Indemnity checklist for insolvency practitioners (PDF, 230KB)This link will download a file.

It is important you refer to the online version each time you prepare an indemnity request. This will ensure the information is current.

This checklist is a fillable form that will not load on a mobile device, tablet or within a browser. To complete the form, you must save it to your desktop computer or laptop (with the latest version of Adobe Acrobat installed):

  1. To download, right click on the link and select Save target as (or a similar option depending on your internet browser) to save it to your computer.
  2. Open the form with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and enable JavaScript, if prompted before filling in the form.
  3. Once you’ve completed your form, save it using the Save and print form button at the end of the form.

Tip: Update your default app for PDF file types to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to open all PDF files with Adobe Acrobat.

How to use the indemnity checklist

The indemnity checklist comprises Part 1 and Part 2 with a fillable form at Annexure A:

  • All indemnity requests must be in writing and address Part 1.
  • Part 2 will also need to be addressed where the indemnity is being sought to start a litigation action.
  • Annexure A requires a breakdown of the total costs of an indemnity sought on a task-by-task basis, which will provide a total for the indemnity being sought.

The Annexure A document will be incorporated into a Deed of Indemnity in the event that the indemnity is approved.

Terms of the Deed of Indemnity

The terms of the Deed of Indemnity will not only limit the amount of the indemnity to the overall total approved but will also limit the amount that the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (DCT) will indemnify on a task-by-task basis, unless approved otherwise in a Deed of Variation.

The indemnity will specifically exclude payment of certain costs incurred by insolvency practitioners, including such costs relating to:

  • duties a liquidator or trustee are required by relevant legislation to perform
  • preparing and submitting the indemnity request
  • communicating with the DCT’s officials in relation to the request
  • executing the indemnity agreement
  • reporting to the DCT
  • preparing invoices and all tasks associated with invoicing, including forecasting
  • general ongoing administration of the Deed of Indemnity and any variations agreed to.

Costs and expenses should be treated as costs of the liquidation or bankrupt estate and paid in the prescribed order of priorities pursuant to section 556 of the Corporations Act 2001 (in the case of company liquidations) or section 109 of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (in the case of bankrupt estates).

For more information see:

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Who needs to report under the SERR?

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

What is an EDP

An electronic distribution platform (EDP):

  • is a service that allows sellers to make supplies available to buyers
  • is delivered via electronic communication (such as a website, internet portal, gateway, application or online store)
  • doesn’t include a carriage service
  • allows sellers to make supplies available to buyers (for example, booking accommodation or a car ride, or renting out a handbag or lawnmower).

An EDP can be, but is not limited to:

  • a website
  • an internet portal
  • a gateway
  • an application
  • an online store
  • an online marketplace.

Platforms are not an EDP if they only provide:

  • carriage services that transmit electronic communications
  • access to payment systems or payment processing services
  • advertising that makes buyers aware of products and links them to a seller’s website
  • an agent for the suppliers – the term ‘agent’ refers to a legal relationship of authority to act as the supplier on a platform
  • channel management software

Reporting under the SERR

If you operate as an EDP you must report certain transactions involving supplies for consideration made through your platform under the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime (SERR).

What activities are covered under SERR?

EDPs may be required to report information about sellers who earn income through the following activities:

  • ride-sourcing and transport – Includes the purchase or hire of transport services such as
    • ride-sourcing
    • taxis
    • boats
    • other modes of transport
  • accommodation and fixed location assets – covers the rental of physical spaces, including
    • short term accommodation (for example,. holiday rentals)
    • office or parking spaces
    • warehouses or storage units
    • other fixed assets
  • hiring of moveable assets – Includes the rental of items that can be moved or transported, such as
    • vehicles (cars, van, trucks)
    • clothing, equipment and tools
  • services – covers services provided by individuals, including
    • trades and labour (for example., electricians, cleaners)
    • delivery or courier (for example, food delivery, on demand parcel or package delivery)
    • health, beauty and wellness services
    • education and classes
    • tour or guide activities
    • digital services (for example, graphic design, content creations, streaming, publishing, podcast)
    • other freelance, contracting or gig work
  • intangible goods – includes the sale of non-physical goods, such as
    • digital products (for example, eBooks, software, virtual items)
    • tips, donations and gratuities
    • online subscriptions or memberships.

This is a sample of activities that may be reportable under the SERR. This list is not exhaustive and may not cover all scenarios. EDP operators should assess their specific business models and transactions to determine their reporting obligations.

Support available

Support is available at sharingeconomyreporting@ato.gov.au to assist EDPs to make an informed decision on whether they are in scope for the SERR.

Example: service reported under the SERR

Amaya has a wedding to attend and wants to hire a dress that she intends to only wear once.

Borrowed Luxe is an online platform that connects customers like Amaya to a lender (seller) that lends (service) a dress for a period of time for a fee.

Borrowed Luxe facilitates the service between the lender and the customer, including facilitating payment via their website.

Borrowed Luxe is required to report under the SERR because it is an EDP (online service) that facilitates the supply (dress hire) to customers.

End of example

Example: service not reported under the SERR

Michelle needs a plumber to fix her kitchen sink. She uses a website called Fix It where she can request quotes for plumbing services.

Jim, a plumber, contacts Michelle and quotes a price, which Michelle accepts.

Fix It is not operating an EDP as its website only allows individuals to find a service provider. Transactions between the buyer and the seller are not accepted through the website, and the details of the service being provided are agreed to outside the platform.

The supply Jim makes to Michelle is not:

made through an EDP

reported under the SERR.

End of example

Instances of multiple EDPs

There may be instances where a supply is made through multiple EDPs.

Where a supply is made through multiple EDPs, the operator of an EDP (the first platform) is not required to report details about the transaction if:

  • the supply is also made through at least one other EDP
  • the first platform doesn’t provide payment directly to the supplier
  • another EDP operator provides all or part of the payment to the supplier and has a reporting obligation under the SERR for that transaction
  • the operator of the first platform notifies us in writing on or before the due date for the reporting period in which the supply was reportable.

If you are unsure whether the operator of another EDP has a reporting obligation, you need to seek confirmation from them before you apply this exemption. If you can’t get confirmation that another platform has a reporting obligation, you shouldn’t rely on this exemption.

EDP obliged to report or exempt

This principle places the obligation to report on the EDP that is closest to the seller or supplier. It reduces the likelihood that the same transaction will be reported to the Commissioner of Taxation by more than one EDP operator. It places the obligation to report the transaction on EDPs that provide all or part of the consideration they receive in relation to the supply directly to the supplier.

If an EDP operator intends to apply this exemption to supplies made through its EDP and another EDP, you must notify the Commissioner in writing that you will be relying on the exemption and not reporting those transactions.

Example: first platform operator in a multiple platform arrangement

Using the Short Stay Marketplace Co EDP, Ezra books a 3-night stay at a property owned by Nina in Melbourne for $450.

To book the accommodation, Short Stay Marketplace Co’s EDP transacts and makes the booking through another EDP, Melbourne Vacations. Short Stay Marketplace Co pays Melbourne Vacations for the bookings, which then pays Nina.

In this case, Short Stay Marketplace Co is the first platform operator and doesn’t pay the supplier directly. Short Stay Marketplace Co confirms with Melbourne Vacations that it has a reporting obligation in relation to the supply of accommodation by Nina and pays Nina.

Short Stay Marketplace Co may elect to rely on the exemption and not report the supply. If it does so, it must notify the Commissioner it is relying on this exemption before the due date for the reporting period in which the supply is reportable.

End of example

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What is the SERR?

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Background of the SERR

The Sharing Economy Reporting Regime (SERR) is a third-party reporting regime that requires operators of electronic distribution platforms (EDPs) to report on supplies made through the platform to the ATO. Its purpose is to:

  • create a level playing field across industries
  • provide transparency of the income a seller makes from their activities in the sharing economy.

Subdivision 396-B creates a new third-party reporting regime in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953. This regime requires entities to report information to the Commissioner of Taxation about transactions that could reasonably be expected to have tax consequences for other entities where those entities are connected with Australia.

The SERR requires EDP operators to report certain identity and income information on eligible transactions made through the platform to the ATO.

Reporting dates

EDP operators must report transactions made through their platform twice a year:

  • 1 July to 31 December – report must be submitted by 31 January of the following year
  • 1 January to 30 June – report must be submitted by 31 July of that year.

From 1 July 2023 SERR reporting started for EDPs supplying:

  • taxi services, including ride-sourcing
  • short-term accommodation.

From 1 July 2024, reporting expanded to include all other reportable transactions under SERR.

Refer to Reporting under SERR to view a sample list of activities that may be reportable under this regime.

Why we collect this information

The information collected under the SERR will allow us to:

  • increase community confidence in the integrity of the tax and super systems
  • identify and educate participants who fail to meet their registration or lodgment obligations and help them comply
  • gain insights from the data to help us develop and implement engagement strategies to improve voluntary compliance – including educational or compliance activities
  • obtain intelligence to increase our understanding of behaviours and compliance profiles of participants in the sharing economy.
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Transactions reportable under the SERR

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Types of supply that must be reported

A supply is made through an EDP if payment and any related discussions, negotiations or other activities are carried out on the platform. For example, if the EDP has a ‘click to chat’ option or call centre that a buyer uses to make enquiries before purchasing via an online checkout, the supply will still be made through the EDP.

EDP operators must report transactions related to the supply of:

EDP operators don’t need to report details of all supplies made through their EDP. Transactions for supplies that don’t need to be reported include:

  • where an amount of the payment for the supply must be withheld under Division 12 in Schedule 1 to the Tax Administration Act 1953, for example, for salary and wages
  • where the operator and seller are members of the same tax consolidated or multiple entry consolidated group
  • sale of goods – the transfer of the title or ownership of goods or real property
  • financial supplies, such as financial securities trading
  • the sale of vouchers, such as a gift cards, with a specified monetary value that can be redeemed for goods or services
  • supplies where the EDP operator is also the supplier (that is, the supplier is not a third party)
  • those completed, including payment being made to the supplier, before the SERR started for that type of supply.

For more information, see Law Companion Ruling LCR 2018/2 GST on supplies made through electronic distribution platforms (paragraphs 19 to 47).

Example: a booking service only

Erica uses Taxi Booking Co’s mobile application to book a taxi. To make the booking, Erica provides:

  • her name
  • the address that she wants to be picked up from
  • the date and time at which the taxi is to pick her up.

Erica doesn’t input any information about her intended destination. Taxi Booking Co arranges for a taxi driver to collect Erica. Payment for the fare is not made through the app and must be made directly to the taxi driver at the end of the trip.

Taxi Booking Co has no way of knowing whether the taxi driver ever actually made the supply of taxi travel or what the value of service would have been and is not required to report this transaction under the SERR.

End of example

Example: tips and gratuities

Lauren is a content creator. Fans of Lauren can pay a fee to Lauren through the Content4Fans platform to access exclusive content which is delivered through the platform.

Some fans also make an additional voluntary payment through that platform to thank Lauren for the content (that is, tips or gratuities). This may be in the form of either money or a digital token that Lauren can redeem for money or other goods or services.

Because the voluntary payments (tips) are given in connection with a supply made through the Content4Fans platform, the operator of Content4Fans needs to include the amount of these tips paid to Lauren in its report in addition to the fee paid to Lauren for access to the content.

End of example

Supplies that are connected with Australia

Only supplies connected with Australia are reportable under the SERR. A supply is connected with Australia if the:

  • service or digital good is provided to an end user in Australia
  • seller makes the sale through a business they carry on in Australia
  • sale is of a right or option to purchase something that would be connected with Australia
  • supply is of real property, such as a supply of short-term accommodation, located in Australia
  • the residency of the supplier doesn’t affect whether the supply is connected with Australia – the supplier doesn’t have to be in Australia for their supplies to be connected with Australia.

Examples of supplies that are connected with Australia include:

  • hiring an asset that is located in Australia, such as a car
  • providing accommodation that is located in Australia, but not accommodation located outside Australia
  • food delivery service in Australia
  • a podcast recorded by a person with an address within Australia.

For more information, see Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2019/1 Goods and services tax: supply of anything other than goods or real property connected with the indirect tax zone (Australia).

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Peking Duk and The Living End to headline at Summernats

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Canberra duo Peking Duk will take the Summernats entertainment to a new level.

In brief:

  • Street Machine Summernats 38 will be held in January 2026.
  • The event’s entertainment program is led by bands Peking Duk and The Living End.
  • This article outlines some of what ticketholders can expect.

Peking Duk and The Living End will headline at Street Machine Summernats 38.

The award-winning bands lead a stacked entertainment program, which will rock EPIC between 8 and 11 January 2026.

It’s the biggest entertainment lineup in Summernats history. Read on to see some of what’s in store.

Peking Duk – Saturday night

Party starters Peking Duk will hit the main stage with bangers like High and Take Me Over.

The hometown favourites have graced some of the world’s biggest stages.

Now they’re bringing it home to cement Summernats’ iconic festival atmosphere.

The Living End – Friday night

The Living End will ignite the stage with breakneck riffs, pounding rhythms and anthems like Prisoner of Society and White Noise.

Their explosive energy has seen them tear up arenas and festivals for more than 20 years. Summernats 38 will be no exception.

The Screaming Jets – Friday night

Pub rock icons The Screaming Jets are known for classics such as Better and Helping Hand.

They’re sure to deliver the grit and sweat that have defined them for over 30 years.

Killing Heidi – Friday night

Killing Heidi will bring nostalgia and energy with hook-laden anthems like Mascara and Weir.

Their set will leave no doubt why they’re still one of Australia’s most-loved live acts.

Across the weekend, DJ and remix artist Chunky Dip will keep the crowds dancing late into the night.

2026 major event upgrades

Alongside Summernats’ biggest entertainment lineup there will be major upgrades. These include:

  • Double Skid Row: dual lanes for more tyre-frying chaos
  • pedestrian overpasses: faster, easier access to all the best spots
  • non-stop entertainment: Hot Wheels stunts, FMX High Air, carnival rides and air shows
  • expanded park-up zones: more space for entrants to showcase their cars
  • improved spectator areas: additional grandstands, shade and chill zones.

The Summernats experience

Summernats is four days of intense auto action. It features:

  • Australia’s top street machine competition
  • the world’s largest burnout competition
  • horsepower heroics
  • cruising
  • a massive automotive retail trade show.

The annual event brings major economic benefits to the ACT.

In 2025, it attracted over 47,500 visitors from across Australia and overseas.

Beyond the cars, Summernats is about community, fun and the party. And, of course, the music.

Find more about Street Machine Summernats 38 on the Summernats website.

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Serious crash at Mount Schank

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and emergency services are responding to a serious crash at Mount Schank.

About 6.30pm Wednesday 27 August, police and emergency services were called to Glenelg River Road, 10km south of Mount Gambier, following reports of a two-car crash.

Glenelg River Road is closed between Whitehead Road and Laslett Road.

Please avoid the area.

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ABC, Screen Australia and ACTF unveil two new original children’s series

Source: AMP Limited

27 08 2025 – Media release

Happy House.
The ABC, Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) have announced two new children’s series at the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbour. Animated sit-com Happy House, supported by VicScreen, and live-action comedy Caper Crew, supported by Screen NSW, will be coming to the ABC from 2026.
In Caper Crew, Amelia and Kai Delaney’s quiet lives are upended when their con-artist Grandmother Queenie mysteriously turns up, teaching them the art of the grift – sparking their hunt for the priceless Woodspring Nug. This is the first children’s series from acclaimed production company Easy Tiger. Set up director is Guy Edmonds (Hardball), joined by directors Stef Smith (It’s Fine, I’m Fine) and Shelly Lauman (Birdie). The series is written by Keith Thompson (Lockie Leonard), Matthew Whittet (Heartbreak High), Amy Stewart (Beep and Mort), Jack Yabsley (Gold Diggers) and Erica Harrison (Gold Diggers).
Happy House is set in a world where internet-famous animals are the creators of their own adorable viral content. The series follows a crew of teen animal content creators as they navigate friendships, rivalries and awkward crushes, all while juggling the pressures of being teens in the digital age. Happy House is co-created and written by Alix Beane (Surviving Summer) and Marisa Nathar (Rock Island Mysteries), with animation by 12field Animation and directed by Kelly Lynagh (The Flamin’ Thongs). Produced by Media World Pictures.
ABC Director Screen Jennifer Collins said, “The ABC is proud to deliver on our commitment to world-class children’s stories and we’re delighted to bring these original series to the screen. Happy House dives into content-creator culture with sharp humour and fun, and Caper Crew brings mystery and mayhem with a uniquely Australian quirkiness.”
ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony said, “These two projects are fresh, clever and original and are set to become family favourites. Happy House is a hilarious and whip-smart animation that kids will relate to, while Caper Crew is a quirky and comedy led live-action series that will keep audiences guessing. Both series are high on laughs and will resonate with audiences here and globally.”
Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “We’re excited to support Easy Tiger’s first foray into Children’s content with Caper Crew, a live action series full of adventure and heart, set to captivate kids and parents alike. Media World Pictures’ animation Happy House offers a timely look at happiness in a contemporary online world, in a fun and adorable way. These series will extend the canon of high-quality Australian stories for children here and around the world.” 
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said, “Screen NSW is thrilled to support Easy Tiger bring Caper Crew, their first foray into children’s content, to the ABC. Through the Made in NSW – TV Drama Fund, Screen NSW are dedicated to creating a pipeline of high-end Australian content and generating new opportunities for NSW creatives, and we are excited to see where this standout creative team, led by executive producers Ian Collie and Rob Gibson, will take this story. Caper Crew is set to be a charming and whimsical mystery, with a sense of Australian nostalgia that is sure to delight children and adults alike.”
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “Happy House is an imaginative and hilarious animated series with internet-famous animals that will delight young viewers. VicScreen is proud to support the creative team at Media World Pictures (Little J & Big Cuz) and the Victorian screen industry to bring another quality children’s show to Australian audiences.”
Watch all of your favourite children’s programs on ABC iview now.
The Caper Crew cast in pre-production (L-R: Isabella Zhang, Caitlin Niemotko, Luka Sero and Tevita Hau), photo by Lisa Tomasetti.
Production credits:

Happy House – 26 x 11 mins

Happy House is a Media World Pictures production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia, ABC and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Financed in association with VicScreen. Distribution by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Co-created and written by Alix Beane and Marisa Nathar. Animation by 12field Animation. Directed by Kelly Lynagh. Producer: Carmel McAloon. Executive Producers: Colin South, Carmel McAloon, Alix Beane and Marisa Nathar.

Caper Crew – 10 x 30 mins

Caper Crew is an Easy Tiger production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia, ABC and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Distribution by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Set up director Guy Edmonds, directors Stef Smith and Shelly Lauman. Written by Keith Thompson, Matthew Whittet, Amy Stewart, Jack Yabsley and Erica Harrison. Script Producer: Keith Thompson, Guy Edmonds. Series Producer: Yingna Lu. Executive Producers: Ian Collie, Rob Gibson.
ABC MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Lidia Williams, ABC Publicist
[email protected]
Media enquiries
Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
+ 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

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Headline and underlying inflation below three per cent for eight months in a row

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show headline and underlying inflation ticked up in July but were still well within the Reserve Bank’s target band.

This is the eighth month in a row that headline and underlying inflation have come in below three per cent.

Volatile and one‑off factors including the end of state energy rebates, travel prices and fuel were behind the increase in today’s results.

We know monthly inflation figures can jump around and are less reliable than the quarterly figures because they don’t compare the same basket of goods and services from month to month.

The official quarterly numbers show that both underlying and headline inflation are at their lowest rates in almost four years.

We have made very substantial and sustained progress on inflation.

This progress on inflation has given the RBA confidence to cut rates three times in six months.

Inflation has more than halved since we came to office.

Headline inflation was 2.8 per cent through the year to July 2025, much lower than the 6.1 per cent we inherited.

Annual trimmed mean inflation was 2.7 per cent through the year to July 2025, much lower than what we inherited.

Today’s data comes after a run of welcome news in the economy this month – from another interest rate cut to falling unemployment, the strongest real wage growth in five years and the gender pay gap at a record low.

Since we were elected, inflation is down, debt is down, real wages are growing, unemployment is low, and interest rates are falling.

Today’s figures show the Albanese Government’s responsible cost‑of‑living relief measures are making a meaningful difference in easing pressure on Australians.

Rents rose 3.9 per cent through the year but would have risen 5.1 per cent without the recent increases to Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

We’ve made a lot of progress in our economy in the past few years, but the job’s not done because people are still under pressure.

The best way to boost living standards and modernise our economy is to make our economy more productive and resilient and make our budget more sustainable, and that’s what we’re doing.

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Port Augusta house search – drugs and weapons located

Source: New South Wales – News

A Port Augusta man has been arrested after a house was searched in the State’s Far North

About 9.30am on Wednesday 27 August, Port Augusta police with the assistance of STAR Group conducted a search of a house in the town.

It will alleged officers located methamphetamine and a considerable haul of weapons including a loaded sawn-off rifle, ammunition, two crossbows and bolts and several edged weapons.

A 36-year-old Port Augusta man was arrested and charged with multiple firearms offences, possessing drugs and drug equipment, hindering police and resisting arrest.

He did not apply for bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court tomorrow, Thursday 28 August.

You can anonymously provide information about the manufacture, sale and possession of illegal drugs to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000

221482

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National Anti-Scam Centre calls for continued action this Scams Awareness Week as scam losses trend up at $174M

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

This media release was updated on 27 August 2025 to correct the overall figure for financial losses in the first half of 2025. It was previously reported as $174.8M and has now been updated to $173.8M. Notwithstanding that scams data can be subject to change, this was a calculation error at the time of publishing.

Australians reported more than 108,000 scams and financial losses of about $174 million to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service in the first half of 2025, with fake websites, online advertisements, and contact through social media criminals’ preferred methods of reaching people.

This Scams Awareness Week (25-29 August), the National Anti-Scam Centre is joining together with government, business, community groups, consumer protection groups, educational organisations and individuals to reinforce the three simple actions that can help protect Australians: ‘Stop. Check. Protect’ before clicking, sharing, or paying.

It comes as Scamwatch received 108,305 reports about scams in the first six months of 2025, which is a 24 per cent decrease in reports compared to the same period last year. While total number of reports are down, reports involving losses have increased significantly.

The $173.8 million reported lost is a 26 per cent increase compared to the first half of 2024. There has been a 40.5 percent increase in reports involving losses and this is higher for some demographic groups: about 44 per cent among individuals who speak English as a second language, and 55.3 percent for First Nations Australians compared to the same period in 2024.

The 2025 losses still represent but a 39 per cent decrease compared to the equivalent period in 2023. Financial losses to scams peaked in 2022 and early 2023. The average reported loss was $12,212 – a decrease of about 10 per cent.

Losses to phishing scams were $19.5 million in 2025, driven in part by a rise in cryptocurrency impersonation scams. 14,235 reports involved losses to crypto scams. These scams closely mirror bank impersonation tactics and have resulted in significant financial harm to victims.

“Technology is helping scammers reach more people than ever before and we see scams becoming more sophisticated and harder for people to detect,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“This Scams Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to talk about scams, watch for the signs and remember three simple words that can help make all the difference: Stop. Check. Protect. As scams become more sophisticated, we are urging more businesses to join the NASC and share data to improve disruption capability across the ecosystem.”

“Scams don’t discriminate and can affect anyone, which is why open conversations with loved ones and greater awareness are so important. Government, business and individuals all have a role to play in building a scam-aware community and reaching every group, including those who may face extra barriers to understanding or reporting scams,” Ms Lowe said.

The National Anti-Scam Centre encourages consumers to be particularly vigilant when shopping online – carefully scrutinise deals that seem too good to be true, and check websites before making a purchase.

Scamwatch received more than 6,300 reports of financial loss to shopping scams in the first half of 2025: the highest of any scam type. Scamwatch data shows that scammers achieved this by creating convincing online shopping platforms, advertising fraudulent products and luring consumers with deals that appear too good to pass up.

An individual who reported to Scamwatch lost more than $11,000 to an online shopping scam involving a fake travel agent. The scammer operated a convincing website and offered a ‘free digital travel assistant’ service. After the victim made an airline booking through the website, the scammer cancelled the booking but kept the money. Attempts to contact the agent failed once the scam was revealed.

The fake website created by the scammer to advertise free digital travel assistant services.

“Scammers are increasingly targeting people on websites and social media, knowing we’re all spending more time and money online. Taking just a few moments to verify a seller or offer can be the difference between a good deal and a devastating financial loss,” Ms Lowe said.

“We encourage people to avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links and instead visit official websites directly. Before buying from an unfamiliar seller or business, search their name along with terms like ‘review’, ‘scam’ or ‘complaint’ as this can quickly reveal any red flags from other consumers.”

“It is also important to use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal. Taking a few simple steps like these can help protect you from online scams,” Ms Lowe said.

The National Anti-Scam Centre credited increased awareness of scam warning signs and the availability of targeted educational resources on job scams for the rise in reports during the first half of 2025, following the conclusion of the Job Scams Fusion Cell.

“This Scams Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the importance of coordinated action, including through intelligence sharing, and the Scam Prevention Framework provides the structure for holding telecommunications companies, banks, and digital platforms accountable in protecting consumers,” Ms Lowe said.

“While it’s distressing to see so many people affected by scams, it’s encouraging to know that Australians are speaking up, seeking help and sharing what they know. This information helps us continue to disrupt scam networks.”

 Australians are urged to talk about their experiences this week across social media channels using the hashtag #stopcheckprotect.

Hear from some Australians who have personally experienced scams: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/scams-awareness-week

This Scams Awareness Week, follow our advice to stay safe from scams:

STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.

What to do:

  • Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
  • Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
  • Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
  • Trust your instincts if something feels wrong

CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.

What to do:

  • Contact the organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
  • Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC
  • Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals.

PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.

What to do:

  • Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve lost money or shared financial details
  • Contact IDCARE (www.idcare.org or call 1800 595 160) if you want support to recover – they can help you create a plan to the limit damage of scams
  • Report to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)  to help protect others
  • Report to police (www.cyber.gov.au)
  • Change passwords and security details if you think they’ve been compromised
  • Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
  • Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
  • Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.