auDA has backed, in principle, removing the rule that lets a .com.au match what you sell. Nothing is final. What's proposed, what the petition claims, and what to check.
Deadlines, price changes and new rules for Australian businesses, soonest first.
All key dates
Shopify's latest POS Pro updates bring reviewed stock counts and local delivery to the shop floor. Check version 11.16, permissions and Australian pricing.
Microsoft's Windows 11 26H2 rollout has begun. Check eligibility, safeguard holds and business-critical apps before updating every office PC.
Apple has patched a flaw it says may have been exploited in targeted attacks. Which iPhones, iPads and Macs need iOS 26.7.1 or a macOS update, and how to check.
A burst of fake one-star reviews followed by an offer to remove them for a fee. How the scam works, what Google says to do, and where to get help.
Googlebook laptops from ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo arrive on 5 October from $2,299. Google says business management tools start in the second half of 2027.
James Lane and Vuly paid $59,400 over sales the ACCC alleges ran past their advertised end. What it expects from sale deadlines before Black Friday.
How to check who holds your .au domain, find your registrar, get the transfer code and contact details fixed, and what to do if a web designer won't hand over.
Read the guide
Published hosting prices from Australian and global providers, the gap between intro and renewal rates, and the extras that add to a small business's bill.
Read the guide
Warning signs of payment redirection scams, a five-step check before paying, a bank-details policy to copy, and what to do straight away if you've paid.
Read the guideNews and guides on planning, building, fixing and running a small business website.
News and guides on Google Ads, Meta, search and measurement for Australian small businesses.
News and guides on payroll, accounting, CRM, booking and the software a small business runs on.
News and guides on using AI tools at work: choosing tasks, briefing tools and checking the output.
Scam alerts and cyber security news for Australian small businesses, sourced from official warnings.
The regulatory and cost changes that affect Australian small businesses, explained with sources and dates.
The weekly quiz
Question 1 of 5
From 1 October, which cards will businesses no longer be able to surcharge?
Answer: A. eftpos, Mastercard and Visa debit, credit and prepaid cards
Card network rules stop surcharges on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa debit, credit and prepaid cards, online and in person. American Express and UnionPay are removing surcharging from the same date.
Read the story: Card surcharges end on 1 October. Here's what businesses need to do this week
Question 2 of 5
How many reports of ATO impersonation scams did the ATO receive in August 2026?
Answer: C. 3,265
The ATO received 3,265 reports in August, up 36% on July, and almost all arrived by email. The latest emails link to a download that installs remote desktop software.
Read the story: ATO warns of fake emails that install remote-access software
Question 3 of 5
What happens to a branded text sent from a sender ID that isn't on the ACMA register?
Answer: B. It's relabelled 'Unverified'
Unregistered sender IDs are relabelled 'Unverified'. Texts sent from an ordinary phone number aren't affected, and there's no cut-off date to register.
Question 4 of 5
From 29 September, Google Meet's AI note-taking is switched on by default for which Google Workspace plans?
Answer: D. Business Standard and Business Plus
It applies to Business Standard and Business Plus, in scheduled meetings the organiser hosts with three or more people, including the organiser. Business Starter doesn't include Gemini note-taking in Meet.
Question 5 of 5
What's the starting price of the new Mac mini in Australia?
Answer: B. A$1,449
It starts at A$1,449 with the M6 chip. For most office desks, our pick is the M6 with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, at A$1,749.
Read the story: Should your business buy the new Mac mini? The M6 and M5 Pro compared
A new quiz comes out every Friday with the briefing. Get the Friday briefing by email
Reader poll of the week
Reader polls aren't scientific: they show how readers who chose to vote answered. One vote per reader. Background: Card surcharges end on 1 October. Here's what businesses need to do this week
