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SMEs scale back as revenue pressures intensify to close out FY25
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SME performance softened further in June as revenue pressures mounted, with revenue growth hitting its lowest point in the past…
Trust, transparency and the road ahead for used EVs
Australia’s second-hand EV market is on an upward trajectory, but uncertainty is emerging around how to properly value these vehicles. Unlike combustion vehicles, where odometers and service logs offer clear…
Beyond compliance: NVES is a strategic challenge for fleets
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) represents a major shift in transport policy. While government messaging focuses on cost savings and environmental benefits, the implications for fleets are more complicated….
Is ChatGPT really “Rotting Our Brains”?
A groundbreaking study from MIT’s Media Lab has just provided the first detailed neurological evidence of how AI tools affect human cognition. Published in June 2025, the research used EEG…
Australia’s freight backbone: What trucks tell us about a nation on the move
Australia moves on wheels, and no wheels are more important to our economy than trucks. From delivery vans weaving through city streets to prime movers pulling freight across state lines,…
The global fertility crisis
The United Nations has delivered a stark warning: global fertility rates are plummeting at an unprecedented pace. The organisation’s latest report, alongside comprehensive fertility data for 2024, reveals a world…
The rising risk of ecommerce payment fraud
Online shopping is the norm for Australians, but as digital spending grows, so too does the threat of ecommerce payment fraud, online scams, and broader cybercrime. According to PayPal’s eCommerce…
New Vehicle Sales May 2025: petrol sales share at a historic low
Updates to New Vehicle Sales are published monthly. View previous wave New Vehicle Sales May 2025 may be trailing behind last year, but the market is far from slow. May finished…
From cost to comfort: why energy efficiency is reshaping housing demand
In Australia’s overheated housing market, it’s easy to assume buyers are only focused on interest rates, school zones and floor area. But another set of priorities are quickly gaining ground,…
Cautious conditions persist as SMEs focus on stability over growth
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SME performance softened in May, with both revenue and profitability easing compared to April and the same period last year….
New BNPL regulations in Australia; What’s changing?
Overview of the BNPL landscape in Australia Since the pandemic, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has quickly risen to a mainstream payment method in Australia, with 62% of consumers having…
The future is collaborative: leveraging the Human-AI partnership
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the market research industry, bringing efficiency, speed, and precision to processes. However, rather than viewing AI as a threat, market researchers have the opportunity…
risk and reward: why the long game pays off for young Australians
Home ownership amongst young Australians For many young Australians, the path to financial security can feel out of reach, with home ownership plummeting among today’s youth – just 36% of…
Talkin’ ‘rizz’ and ‘delulu’: decoding gen alpha
Generation Alpha – kids born from 2010 onward, have never known a world without touchscreens, streaming platforms, or digital avatars. According to the eSafety Commissioner’s ‘Behind the screen’ report, a…
New Vehicle Sales April 2025: third decline, but historically strong
Updates to New Vehicle Sales are published monthly. View previous wave. Australian new vehicle sales totaled 91,316 units in April 2025 (as captured in the FCAI’s VFACTS report and EVC’s Vehicle…
Synthetic data: innovation or illusion in market research?
Synthetic data is expected to play a huge role in market research over the next three years, potentially accounting for more than half of all data collected in the US. …
What powers Australia’s economy: the industries driving export value
Australia’s economy is underpinned by a few powerhouse industries, from iron ore and coal to refined metals, agriculture, and food processing. These sectors generate significant value, driven by strong demand…
SMEs push forward despite short-term challenges
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. Ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on SME sentiment. Confidence in global economic conditions over the next three months has…
Protect your brain health: 5 simple changes with big benefits
In Australia, brain health is under increasing pressure. Dementia, stroke, and late-life depression are rising concerns, each deeply impactful, yet more interconnected than many realise. According to the Australian Institute…
Signed, sealed, remembered: why delivery defines ecommerce loyalty
Delivery is no longer just the final step of the eCommerce journey, it’s the moment that defines how customers remember the experience, shaping satisfaction and loyalty. Insights from the 2025…
Plugged In: V2G’s impact on fleet strategy
As the energy sector undergoes rapid transformation, electric vehicles are emerging not only as a sustainable mode of transport but as strategic assets within the broader energy ecosystem. At the…
Small business, big pressure: SMEs responding to a shifting workforce
Australia’s workforce is shifting, and many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are struggling to keep pace. Emerging recruitment trends show that workers are entering the market with different expectations around…
A decade of data: exporting through change in the pacific
Ten years is a long time. It’s long enough to build robust businesses, long enough to face unprecedented disruption, and long enough to adapt to a rapidly evolving global economy….
new vehicle sales march 2025: a solid quarter, but signs of shifting momentum
Updates to New Vehicle Sales are published monthly. View previous wave. March brought some welcome momentum to the Australian new vehicle market, with new vehicle sales data (from the FCAI’s VFACTS…
Employment trends unveiled: 3 forces reshaping Australia’s workforce
Employment trends are showing us that the Australia’s labour market is changing. This can be inferred from record low levels of unemployment and a participation rate that has steadily grown…
How DNA could solve the world’s data crisis
the data crisis Since 2010, the world has been facing a growing data crisis, with the amount of digital data produced globally far outpacing our ability to store it. Recent…
Tariff terrors shake SME confidence as outlook turns grim
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. Confidence in both domestic and global economies has plummeted as tariff wars shift from threat to reality. Now, 66% of…
The AI power race: big tech’s clean energy play
As AI adoption accelerates, the energy demands of large-scale data centre infrastructure are soaring. This AI Power Race is driving tech giants to future-proof their energy supply to support ever-expanding…
Beyond the City: How Regional Economies Are Evolving
Australia’s business scene is evolving, driven by a post-pandemic shift that saw city dwellers trade urban hustle for regional tranquility. The COVID-19 pandemic fuelled the “tree-change” movement, reshaping where and…
Feb 2025 New vehicle sales: Plug-in Hybrids Surge in Evolving Fuel Market
At first glance, February 2025 new vehicle sales appear disappointing, down 8% on 2024 for a total of 96,710 units. However, looking at the VFACTS and EV Council data in…
public healthcare at a critical crossroad
The Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) latest Public Hospital Report Card paints a less than rosy picture of Australia’s public healthcare system. While some short-term improvements are evident, the broader trend…
Wake-up call: coffee prices on the rise
For many, coffee is more than just a beverage—it’s a daily ritual, a source of energy, and a social staple. Australia’s coffee culture is considered one of the world’s finest,…
2024 end of year review – heavy commercial vehicles
Australia’s Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) market remained resilient in 2024, with 51,306 units sold (just 466 fewer than in 2023), highlighting the ongoing demand for freight services in the Australian…
Health longevity: finding the right balance
In 2025, the global fascination with health longevity continues to accelerate. High-profile biohackers and wellness influencers are leading the charge, while billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Sam Altman are investing…
SME confidence grows amid political uncertainty
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. Despite a slowdown in revenue and profitability in February, SME confidence in Australian economic conditions has surged, driven by falling…
January 2025 new vehicle sales: SUVs hold strong, light commercials under pressure
The Australian automotive market has started 2025 strongly, with new vehicle sales data sourced from the FCAI’s VFACTS report and EVC’s Vehicle Sales Report recording 87,625 vehicles sold for the…
Crypto in 2025: bitcoin’s growth, Trump’s impact, and the rise of meme coins
2024: A Landmark Year for Cryptocurrency The long-awaited approvals for Bitcoin SPOT ETFs arrived in January, followed by SPOT ETF Options in October, ushering in a new era of mainstream…
2024 in review: what’s driving Australia’s car market?
Australia’s automotive market continued to evolve in 2024, driving continued uncertainty about how its future will unroll. While Australia’s car sales rose slightly to 1,185,982 units (up from 1,165,008 in…
Australia’s EV market in 2024: rise of the hybrids
Australia’s EV market in 2024 was anything but predictable. While early projections suggested a continued surge in battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption, the reality told a more nuanced story. Instead…
increase in new businesses, but rising australian insolvencies sound the alarm
The Australian business landscape is experiencing a notable dichotomy. On one hand, the total number of businesses increased by 2.8% in FY24, driven by a strong 16.8% entry rate. However,…
is Mercedes-Benz shifting gears?
For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been synonymous with luxury and innovation, but its passenger car sales in Australia have nearly halved since peaking in 2017. While significant locally, this trend isn’t…
continued strength in SME growth outlook
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. In January 2025, SME growth remained steady, with revenues aligning with December and the same period in 2024. The Hospitality…
Australia’s digital health reality check
The integration of technology into healthcare has moved far beyond simple fitness apps. From continuous glucose monitors to AI-driven diagnostics and remote patient monitoring devices, digital solutions are fundamentally reshaping…
australian SMEs: AI adoption trends
Advances in AI technology and adoption trends are reshaping how Australian businesses evaluate their digital futures. Our latest research conducted for the National AI Centre (NAIC) highlights how small and…
positive momentum builds as SMEs eye growth in 2025
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SMEs have shown resilience as they transition from a challenging 2024 to a more optimistic outlook for 2025. Despite ongoing…
2025 global trends: will AI, crypto, and sustainability stay in the spotlight?
As we enter 2025, the global landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, shaped by technological breakthroughs, financial transformations, and environmental challenges. This analysis examines key global trends from…
australia’s job market in 2024: navigating challenges and opportunities
Australia’s job market in 2024 has been defined by resilience in a time of economic uncertainty, with employers facing complex structural challenges. Data from Seek reveals that while unemployment remains…
Reshaping Digital Boundaries: Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban
In an unprecedented move, Australia has enacted legislation banning social media access for individuals under 16, marking a landmark intervention in youth digital protection. The policy, which will come into…
The Rise of Side Hustle Businesses in Australia
In the dynamic landscape of Australia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the proliferation of businesses operating as side hustles continues to develop. These ventures are often run by individuals who maintain other forms…
November 2024 VFACTs: Newcomers Shake Up Australia’s Auto Market
The Australian automotive market in November 2024 showcased a mix of challenges and opportunities as the industry nears its projected annual sales target of 1.2 million units. Current estimates place…
The Pursuit of Wellbeing in a Time-Poor World
In today’s fast-paced world, wellbeing has become more than just a buzzword. It is a major component of how we manage our daily lives, with nearly 9 out of 10…
consumers show willingness to pay for decarbonised products
When discussing decarbonisation, the spotlight often falls on emissions released during a product’s use. Yet, a substantial share of environmental impact stems from the production phase. Addressing production-phase emissions requires…
trump return lifts SME confidence amid longer term concerns
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SME optimism regarding global and local economic conditions has increased since the re-election of the Trump administration. However, this optimism…
housing market cooling: how it’s affecting you today
Over the past four years, we have tracked a series of key economic indicators in the Fifth Quadrant Economic Playbook, offering a comprehensive view of trends across the real estate,…
christmas spending to drop 11%, as consumers lean into sales
New research from Fifth Quadrant reveals Australians are tightening their Christmas spending budgets this year, but their enthusiasm for Boxing Day and New Year sales is on the rise. The…
October 2024 VFACTS: driving with discounts
October 2024 VFACTs saw steady performance in Australia’s new vehicle market, closing the month with 99,969 units sold – nearly matching September’s 99,881 units. This stability is noteworthy, as October…
the gender divide – securing women’s futures
In today’s world, personal safety, financial stability, and the rising cost of living are concerns shared by all Australians, but there is a growing disparity in the gender divide and…
SME sentiment dips amid lack of confidence in economic conditions
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. After showing signs of recovery over the past two months, the latest Fifth Quadrant data reveals another dip in sentiment…
the trust crisis facing Australian FMCG
Australian consumers are at a crossroads. With heightened awareness of health, sustainability, and ethical sourcing, they’re demanding more from their food and beverage choices than ever before. Recent data from…
autonomous vehicles: driving towards a safer future
Self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), have the potential to revolutionise transportation globally. As AV technology advances, the industry moves closer to a future where these vehicles can prevent accidents,…
September 2024 VFACTS: limping towards the finish line
As we close out the third quarter of 2024, the Australian new vehicle market has posted another 10% year-on-year decline, continuing the downward trend seen over recent months. Despite the…
is Google dead? how social media and AI are transforming search
Traditional search engines remain widely used, but their static, list-based format often requires users to sift through multiple links to find what they need. Consequently, social media platforms have become…
SME confidence rebounds from recent lows
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. After reaching significant lows in August, the latest Fifth Quadrant data indicates an improving outlook for SMEs, with 27% experiencing…
Culture at Fifth Quadrant
So far in my career, I have spent an estimated 7,900 hours in the workplace. Given that, it makes sense to want a workplace where you can enjoy not only…
The Energy Transition: 3 Key Challenges
As our energy grid becomes increasingly decarbonised, the smooth integration of renewable energy sources with current infrastructure becomes crucial. This month, we saw the share of electricity generated by renewables…
transitioning towards a sustainable energy future
As Australia navigates the global transition to a low-carbon economy, recent Government reports shed light on the country’s evolving energy landscape and emissions reduction efforts. Let’s dive into the key…
Human Insights Conference 2024: An Insightful and Inspiring Future
The Research Society’s 2024 Human Insights Conference, held in Sydney, brought together the industry for two days of insight sharing and future gazing on the rapidly evolving market research industry….
Nurturing critical thinkers: Shaping Our Industry’s Future
The future of our industry hinges on the successful development of younger generations to be critical thinkers, but we’re still struggling to consistently deliver this. I had the privilege of…
August 2024 VFACTS: toyota strong as market dips
August 2024 VFACTs marked a significant moment in the Australian automotive industry, with 98,238 units sold, for a 10.6% decline on last year’s 109,966 vehicles. While this initially suggest a…
SMEs remain resilient despite reaching new lows
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SMEs have continued to face a downward trend in revenues, with 39% reporting declines in August and only 21% seeing…
business leaders key to responsible AI
As we stand on the cusp of an AI revolution, the importance of implementing Responsible AI (RAI) practices has never been more critical. Our latest research, the Australian Responsible AI…
top food trends 2024: what is australia cooking?
In the Top Food Trends of 2024, Australians have rediscovered their love for home cooking. This shift has led to a greater investment in culinary skills and wellness, with many…
vehicle reliability: age, origin, and cost – what the data reveals
In a world where time and money are increasingly precious, vehicle reliability isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. Understanding how reliability varies across different factors like age and country of…
antimicrobial resistance in australia
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, and Australia is not immune to its effects. As bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics, common infections become harder to treat, posing significant…
july 2024 VFACTS: toyota rolls on
July 2024 marked another pivotal month for the Australian automotive industry, with the latest VFACTS sales data revealing significant shifts in consumer preferences and market dynamics. The market again cracked…
SME growth aspirations on hold as revenues slide
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest edition of Fifth Quadrant’s SME Sentiment Tracker shows ongoing downward pressure on revenues, with 40% of businesses reporting lower…
the financial struggles of Australians
Recent data from the Fifth Quadrant Consumer Omnibus highlights the significant financial hardships faced by Australians, with 37% struggling to meet household expenses and 10% unable to pay all their…
the AI-Robotic revolution in business
In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting market dynamics, businesses across all sectors must prepare for significant transformation and disruption. At a recent industry conference, I presented a…
forecasting the Australian car parc
As the first half of the year ends, it’s a good time to reflect on the changes we’re seeing in the automotive market, and how these might play out through…
powering tomorrow: the renewable energy revolution
Renewable energy is experiencing a transformative phase worldwide, with unprecedented investments, technological advancements, and policy shifts driving the sector forward. As nations strive to meet climate goals and reduce dependency…
june 2024 VFACTS: the beginning of the end?
Australia has reached the midpoint of the year, and has recorded another strong sales figure, with 119,659 new vehicles delivered in June. We are however seeing conflicting trends across the…
understanding financial hardship in 2024: insights from the ABA banking conference
I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on financial hardship at the recent Australian Banking Association conference in Melbourne. It was a great panel of experts that…
SME employment data continues to nosedive
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest edition of Fifth Quadrant’s SME Sentiment Tracker shows that the current economic climate for SMEs remains challenging, with 38%…
meet generative AI: the newest member of fifth quadrant
At Fifth Quadrant, we are constantly embracing innovative tools and technologies to enhance our market research capabilities and provide clients with a greater level of insight. Accordingly, we are early…
sneak preview: 2024 corporate fleet insights report
As we prepare to release the 2024 edition of our Corporate Fleet Insights Report, we are excited to share a sneak preview of the high-level themes that are shaping the…
May 2024 VFACTS: spotlight on Hybrids
Australia’s automotive industry has continued its record-breaking new vehicle sales streak, reaching an all-time record high for the month of May. Despite April dipping back below 100,000 sales (97,202), May…
SME sentiment points to rise in unemployment
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker continues to report soft revenues in line with weak economic conditions. 33% report lower…
the cost of keeping man’s best friend
Australians love their pets, but as the cost of living continues to rise, many are reconsidering their pet related expenses. According to research commissioned by health fund HCF, 4 in…
Examining the use of pharmaceutical interventions in weight management in Australia
In our ongoing series on body image and weight issues in Australia, we delve deeper into the use of pharmaceutical interventions like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The GLP1 agonist class of…
health hazards on TikTok: medical experts caution young Australians
With endless information only a swipe up away, young Australians face a crucial challenge in discerning the credibility of health advice on social media platforms like TikTok. With 51% of young Australians…
from urban streets to outback: ford and toyota’s duel in the australian market
In the Australian automotive landscape, the real showdown isn’t Ford versus Ferrari at Le Mans, but rather Ford versus Toyota—a rivalry that impacts the daily lives of consumers much more…
SMEs in holding pattern amid interest rate speculation
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest findings from the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveal a slight weakening in year-on-year revenue, with 34% of SMEs…
April 2024 VFACTS: signaling a new normal in Australian auto sales?
April’s automotive sales have broken the streak, dipping below 100,000 units for the first time this year. Despite this dip, the 97,202 new vehicle sales this month still significantly outpace…
the data behind Australia’s labour market: a closer look at post-pandemic recovery
Over the past three and a half years, we have been monitoring a comprehensive set of Australian economic indicators. This data, encompassing real estate, construction, automotive, employment, and retail sectors,…
cruising into tomorrow: navigating generational shifts in car buying
Another month, another record set in terms of new vehicle sales. While we are seeing some brands moving into a surplus situation, that isn’t yet impacting sales volumes with Australia…
the weight struggle: Australia’s battle with weight management
Overweight and obesity rates have been steadily climbing in Australia, reflecting a broader global trend. According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the proportion of adults…
March 2024 VFACTS: new records set as Australian automotive market booms
In March there were 109,647 new vehicles delivered, continuing the strong start to the calendar year. This marks a significant 12.7% growth on last year’s March number, which just failed…
business insolvencies surge in FY24
Difficult economic conditions in FY24 have triggered a record increase in the number business failures. In February, the number of monthly insolvencies reached its highest level in almost a decade….
SME optimism cools as revenue & profitability soften
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveals more measured sentiment in March, with revenue declining and expectations regarding lower…
cashless confidence: SMEs embrace change with caution
In this third post in the series, we continue our exploration of Australia’s transition towards a cashless society. Following on from our previous posts looking at the overall shift to…
building trust in Australian public services: the road to customer-centricity
Creating a positive and dynamic experience for customers of Australian public service organisations starts with trust. To earn it, public service providers should take a customer-centric approach which puts the…
February 2024 VFACTS: records fall as private and fleet buyers remain active
February witnessed another strong month in the Australian automotive market, with 105,023 new vehicles sold (up 21% vs. Feb 2023). Highlights this month include an increase in medium passenger vehicles…
the data behind Australia’s rental crisis
Over the past three and a half years, we have been tracking a range of Australian economic indicators. These cover diverse topics and industries, pulling together data from the real…
the journey to 3 million
Australia’s business sector has shown consistent growth over the years, reaching a total of 2,611,688 businesses by the end of 2023. Accordingly, we decided to take a look back over…
growth expectations surge amid strengthening economic sentiment
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveals optimism towards both domestic and international economic conditions has significantly risen. short-term…
SME outlook 2024: Australian business conditions spark cautious optimism amidst challenges
Following three years of pandemic-induced disruptions and volatility, Australian businesses experienced improved stability in 2023. However, as decision-makers look ahead to the new year, they express genuine concerns about uncertainty…
automotive vehicle subscriptions on the rise
Vehicle subscription is a growing trend, with providers like Carly recording significant growth as Australians start to shift away from traditional approaches to vehicle ownership. These models bundle up most…
January 2024 VFACTS: utes and hybrids on the rise, Tesla’s sales drop
The Australian automotive market has seen a surge to start off the new year, with 89,782 new vehicles sold in January 2024 (up almost 5,000 units against January 2023). This…
AI mythbusting: can the AI out-predict our team?
In today’s digital era, AI is a vital tool. But, like any new technology, knowing how to get the most out of it and where it falls short is crucial….
5 macro trends driving 2024 new vehicle sales
2023 was a bumper year for the Australian automotive sector, with more than 1.2 million new vehicles delivered. After a strong start, Toyota finished the year strongly to remain the…
‘import’-ant trends in the automotive aftermarket
The Australian automotive industry has recorded healthy new vehicle sales over the last decade, with an average of 1.1 million new vehicles entering the car parc each year (and a…
more Australians taking on multiple jobs to combat cost-of-living
Cost-of-living pressures impacted Australian households dramatically throughout 2023. The effects of a rising cost-of-living are well-documented and far-reaching, extending from economic hardship and loan stress, to declining social cohesion and…
lower inflation driving SME confidence
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveals a slowdown in the annual inflation rate to 4.1% which is alleviating…
beyond the prescription pad: the rise of Generative AI in pharmacy
Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to revolutionise the healthcare sector. It has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, increase healthcare efficiency, and reduce drug development costs. Partnerships with big tech…
VFACTS year in review – EV wrap up
In 2023, Australians set a record by purchasing 87,430 new electric vehicles (EVs), making up approximately 7% of total sales for the year (a remarkable 161% surge from the 33,410…
VFACTS 2023 EoY review – heavy commercial vehicles
The Australian heavy commercial vehicle industry marked a record-breaking year in 2023, data from the VFACTS National Report shows. With an impressive 51,772 new vehicles hitting the roads, this sector…
SMEs eye brighter 2024
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker shows business sentiment is stable, despite challenging market conditions. The Fifth Quadrant Business…
new brands on growth trajectory as Australian EV market expands
Electric vehicles are on the rise in Australia. With one month remaining in 2023, we’re at 80,446 electric vehicles sold (vs. 28,326 at the same point last year). Based on…
BNPL usage ramps up amidst festive season cost-of-living pressures
As the holiday season approaches, Australians find themselves grappling with the delicate balance of festive spending amidst escalating cost-of-living pressures. For many households, the overwhelming concern of managing tighter budgets…
cost-of-living: are consumers giving up on sustainability?
Australian consumers drastically altered their behaviour during COVID-19, as they were forced to stay at home, and were unable to travel. One benefit of this however was a positive impact…
VFACTS November 2023 – top tier tussle as Ranger reels in Hilux
Huge numbers in the November VFACTS data, with 112,141 new vehicle sales, making it the second highest month of the year behind the EOFY-backed June. This places the 1.2m yearly…
SMEs enter holiday season with growth ambitions amid economic headwinds
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker indicates that in the face of escalating business challenges, a significant number of…
a turning point for healthcare affordability?
Is the Medicare Incentive Increase a Turning Point for Healthcare Affordability in Australia? The Australian Government’s decision to significantly increase the bulk billing incentive for GPs, effective from November 1,…
from bills to bytes: Australia’s cashless conundrum
In this blog, we continue our exploration of Australia’s transition towards a cashless society. Following on from our previous post, this piece unpacks the human element, using data from the…
Is Dr Google becoming a real doctor? how Australian GPs are using LLMs
Large language models (LLMs) are a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can predict, generate and understand human language after being trained on large amounts of data. LLMs are still…
paws for thought: decoding Australian’s pet health spending
Australians love their pets, and it shows in their spending habits. According to the Fifth Quadrant Consumer Tracker, Australian pet owners spend an average of $209 per month on their…
SME outlook still positive, but rising interest rates temper optimism
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker presents a positive picture for SMEs, with profitability and expected revenue continuing to…
VFACTS October new vehicle sales – 1.2m or bust?
Record sales of 106,809 new vehicles in October, putting us over 1m vehicles sold in 2023. Continuing this trend would see the Australian market crack 1.2m vehicles in a single…
understanding ChatGPT usage in Australia: latest fifth quadrant study
Recent research conducted by Fifth Quadrant into Australian consumers show that 70% of the adult population are now aware of ChatGPT, including one quarter that actively engage with the tool….
internship success: 14 transformative months at fifth quadrant
I started my internship at Fifth Quadrant back in June 2022, and the past fourteen months have been filled with a breadth of experiences that have taught me lifelong lessons…
sustainability success down under: Australian businesses navigating to a greener future
Sustainability is a critical issue for Australian businesses, as the world faces the dual challenges of climate change and resource scarcity. While there’s an ecological imperative here, there’s also a…
VFACTS September new vehicle sales – where are the vehicles on our roads manufactured?
Another great month for dealers in Australia, with 110,702 new vehicles sales recorded. This sets a record for September, putting us in a great position to finish the calendar year…
cashless society: is physical currency gone for good in 2023?
The Australian financial landscape is set for a significant transformation as we increasingly shift away from cash to digital alternatives. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) earlier this…
SME sentiment remains optimistic as profitability recovers
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker provides cause for optimism, with YoY revenues rebounding from an annual low in…
Aussies set to spend $10.5 billion on Christmas gifts despite cost-of-living crisis
‘Tis the season to spend! Despite the cost-of-living crisis dominating headlines throughout the year, Christmas cheer and gift giving fever is inspiring Aussies to dig deep into their pockets and…
car loyalty in flux as consumers consider new makes and models
The Australian new vehicle sales market is in a state of flux, with brands shifting from franchise to agency models, others considering Direct To Consumer (DTC) sales, ongoing vehicle shortages…
fuelling the future: how manufacturing and production are harnessing sustainability to offset soaring energy costs!
Australian businesses across all sectors are facing significant challenges, with rising costs pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty driving down consumer and business confidence. While we have seen some slight upticks…
taking a digital first approach to government service design
The delivery model for many local, state and federal Government services can create painful experiences for customers and does not always meet their needs or expectations. A digital first approach…
environmentally efficient housing in a cost-of-living crisis
With the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills continuing to plague our news feeds, it has become even more important for households to find long term solutions to reduce financial…
SME sentiment pops – are we turning a corner?
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker suggests confidence is growing in line with falling inflation and the stabilisation of…
VFACTS August new vehicle sales – Toyota roars back to the top
The new vehicle sales recovery continued in August, again setting a new record following July’s outstanding result. In fact, the 109,996 vehicles sold in August is the eighth highest month…
how strategic technology investment fuels growth in Australian SMEs
the critical role of SMEs in Australia’s economy Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) serve as the linchpin of Australia’s economic fabric, responsible for considerable contributions to job creation, innovation, and…
manufacturers set to expand production and drive profit growth
Australian manufacturers expect to increase production volumes in the next 12 months, supported by higher capital expenditure and investment in technology, CommBank report shows. Research conducted by Fifth Quadrant forms…
navigating change: shifting trends in consumer vehicle purchasing
The latest report from our consumer tracking study focuses on the automotive sector, unpacking purchasing intentions, the vehicles Australians aspire to, and the key factors impacting these choices. In the…
the ChatGPT experiment by fifth quadrant
Over the past six months, Fifth Quadrant has embarked on a unique exploration into the awareness and application of ChatGPT amongst Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Australia. The graphics…
july 2023 new vehicle sales – records set, but where to from here?
July new vehicle sales continued the healthy recovery from persistent supply chain issues, with a 15% year-on-year increase. The 96,859 vehicles sold sets an all-time record for the month, which…
challenging landscape persists as revenues decline
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker offers a snapshot of persistent challenges and a glimmer of hope. The downward trajectory of…
2023 EOFY new vehicle sales review
End of Financial Year is a key marker for both businesses and consumers, as they review performance over the past 12 months, and plan for the year ahead. For the…
digitalising the in-store experience – captivating the customer
The digital experience has become increasingly important for retailers in Australia, as it has the potential to drive revenue growth, increase customer loyalty, and improve operational efficiency. The value of…
interest rates and energy costs drive SME sentiment lower
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows both positive and negative indicators in June. Notably, 37% of SME decision-makers reported a…
june 2023 new vehicle sales – tax time winners
June is always a strong month for new vehicles sales, with businesses looking to spend before the closure of the financial year and OEMs running promotions to incentivise consumer buyers…
sales records set in may, but economic uncertainty looms
May new vehicle sales landed at 105,694, increasing 28% from April (82,137 units), and making it the highest selling May in history (up 2,793 units from the previous record set…
39% of SMEs fearful of recession
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows that despite slightly softer revenue and profit numbers, SME financial performance was relatively strong…
building brand perceptions over time
The automotive landscape is changing quickly, with existing brands struggling to maintain supply, and new brands entering the Australian market. This can be seen in the sales data, with significant…
digital strategies boosting australian exports
The past few years have served as a vivid reminder of just how tightly woven the international tapestry of trade and interdependence really is. The economic aftershocks of the pandemic…
complete, connected and cloud: the 3 Cs for unlocking your data
Data is an organisation’s most valuable asset in today’s world, but without the means to harness its potential, many organisations are missing out on the opportunities it presents. Understanding how…
SMEs report stronger financials but recruitment activity stalls
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows a significant improvement in financial performance in April 2023, following a slow start to the…
april 2023 new vehicle sales – what happened to the hybrids?
April new vehicle sales landed at 82,137 units, taking a dip from March (97,251 units), but still well up on April 2022 (81,065 units). This result is generally in line…
research shows a worrying lack of action towards responsible AI
Australia risks falling behind on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with new research revealing that Australian businesses are slow to develop and use the technology responsibly. Key statistics: Now in its second…
the evolving nature of vehicle ownership
“Car ownership is dead! The future is shared!” “No more need for new cars sitting in dealership showrooms with bows on…” We regularly see articles expressing this sentiment, particularly in…
the future of aussie utes: will EVs take the wheel?
It is no secret that Aussies love utes. Whether it’s work or play, towing or off-roading, Australians love a car that can do it all. What does that mean in…
march 2023 new vehicle sales – a changing of the guard?
Monthly vehicle sales increased in March, up 12% from February as EVs and Chinese manufacturers continued their strong start to 2023. Despite this, it was still the weakest March in…
SMEs remain resilient despite fears of recession
Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows that despite significant challenges, all key performance indicators ticked upwards in March. One quarter…
running a successful car clinic
In this explainer article we explore Car Clinics. breaking out the key steps involved, what it takes to ensure smooth operations on the day, and how we deliver robust insights…
purposeful partnerships: a change for the better
Brand sponsorships are common in today’s world, but more than two years of riding the pandemic tidal wave has dramatically changed the landscape. Sports and entertainment cancellations worldwide meant marketers…
dealership servicing in a changing world
The world of the automotive dealership is changing. Electric vehicles are driving significant market change, with many OEMs also using this as a trigger to review franchise arrangements or shift…
february 2023 new vehicle sales – EV growth and changes within LCVs
Another steady month of new vehicle sales in February sets 2023 up for a strong year. The February VFACTS numbers highlight the excitement around EVs (and the impact they’re having…
customer journey mapping in a post-pandemic world
For a Customer Experience Leader, the number one goal is putting the customer at the centre of everything that the organisation does, through decision making, policy making and product design,…
tipping point for SMEs as sentiment falls significantly
Updates to this research are published monthly. View Previous Wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows after a long road back and a strong Christmas period, SME revenue, profit and…
heavy commercial vehicle sales in australia – 2022 year in review
Australian Heavy Commercial vehicle sales are booming, with a record result in 2022 of almost 50,000 new trucks and buses sold. This eclipsed 2021 by more than 4,000 vehicles (up…
2022 australian new vehicle sales: year in review
As we conclude yet another year, it’s a good time to reflect on how the automotive market has fared. While 2022 was another year of global challenges, we did see…