Each week, Business Cover Solutions distils the biggest stories shaping risk, insurance and compliance for Australian businesses. Expect clear, concise recaps of policy changes, industry developments, cyber and safety trends, and real-world impacts on day-to-day operations. We sort the signal from the noise so owners and managers can stay informed, anticipate obligations, and make confident decisions. Trusted, practical, and timely—your reliable briefing to start the week on the front foot.
This Week:
Weekly wrap for 13 April 2026: SME lenders roll out short‑term relief as fuel costs squeeze cash flow, with a 10‑year extension to small‑business responsible‑lending exemptions and a streamlined ATO repayment plan. Cyclone Maila and Cyclone Vaianu raise weather risks for Far North Queensland and New Zealand, prompting checks on property and business interruption cover. Hyundai recalls around 5,000 Kona and IONIQ EVs over a battery software fault—fleet managers should schedule fixes and review policy conditions. Payday Super starts 1 July 2026: pay super on payday, received within seven business days—plan cash flow and update payroll systems.
EPISODE 1613 | Business Cover Weekly Risk and Insurance News | Mon, 13th Apr 2026
13 Apr 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to Business Cover Weekly Risk and Insurance News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Monday, 13 April 2026.
First, the fuel squeeze continues to bite, but theres fresh support for small business borrowers. Major SME lenders are offering short‑term relief like payment deferrals, loan restructures and temporary credit limit increases. The government has also extended the small‑business responsible‑lending exemption for another decade and the Tax Office has a streamlined repayment plan for overdue debts. If rising fuel and freight costs are hitting cash flow, contact your lender early and speak with your broker about business interruption and public liability settings to keep cover in step with changing costs.
Meanwhile, weather risk is back on the radar. Forecasters on Friday said Cyclone Maila could track towards Far North Queensland this week, while Cyclone Vaianu is bringing destructive winds and heavy rain to New Zealands North Island. For operators with assets or suppliers in the tropics, review property and business interruption sums insured, flood and storm sub‑limits, and any waiting periods, and update continuity plans.
On product safety, Hyundai has recalled about five thousand Kona and IONIQ electric vehicles over a battery software fault that could cause a fire while charging or parked. If your business runs these models, schedule the fix promptly and note any vehicle downtime. Check your commercial motor and property policies for conditions around maintenance, storage, and notification—especially if vehicles are garaged on site or near inventory.
And a compliance reminder that will affect payroll and workers compensation declarations. From 1 July 2026, super must be paid on payday, not quarterly, and funds need to receive contributions within seven business days, with funds allocating them within three. That means cash‑flow planning now, checking clearing‑house timeframes, and updating payroll systems ahead of the deadline. Align this with your wage audits so your workers compensation cover remains accurate.
Thats it for this week. For clear comparisons and tailored business insurance options that fit your operations and budget, visit business-cover.au.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Professional indemnity: An insurance that provides cover for liability incurred in the course of exercising a profession.
