🦘 Tax On Sugary Drinks, Rent Growth Stabilizes, AI To Create 200,000 Jobs by 2030

G’day everyone!

Here’s what we’ve got in store for you today:

• Tax On Sugary Drinks

• Rent Growth Stabilizes

• AI To Create 200,000 Jobs by 2030

Let’s have a look at the market snapshot before jumping into the news:

Sweet Tooth Clampdown: Australia Considers 20% Sugar Tax on Beverages

Australia might soon give your favorite sugary drinks a bitter twist with a proposed 20% tax hike on sugar-sweetened beverages.

The target? Combatting the twin health tsunamis of diabetes and obesity.

If you love guzzling soft drinks, cordials, energy drinks, or sports beverages, brace yourself!

This tax would hit all non-alcoholic water-based drinks with added sugar, no matter their brand or size.

The folks behind this plan hope that pricier drinks will lead to lower consumption rates, trimming down one major contributor to these prevalent health issues.

This isn't just about shaking up your grocery list.

The proposed tax is set to rake in big bucks.

Think of all the revenue - it could supercharge health programs that encourage Aussies to make healthier food choices and get more active.

While the government's still mulling over this bold move, the implications are huge.

Not only could this reshape the beverage industry, but it also aims at giving Australians a healthier future.

Can a little tax help us steer clear of sugary pitfalls? Time will tell!

Rent Relief Incoming: Chill Winds in the Housing Market

Good news for renters!

The tide is turning in the Australian rental market as recent data from Domain shows rent hikes are slowing or even reversing in major cities.

After a spurt of soaring prices driven by scarce vacancies, the June quarter has brought some much-needed relief.

House rents in Hobart dipped by 1.8%, while Sydney and Perth held steady.

Across various cities, the rent growth has hit the brakes compared to the previous quarter, signaling a more favorable period for tenants.

Units in the major capitals also saw a slowdown in rent spikes, marking the beginning of a new era for city living.

Domain's chief of research, Nicola Powell, expects this trend to continue due to rising vacancy rates.

Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra are all seeing vacancy rates climb to six-month highs, with Perth reaching a two-year peak.

Fewer tenants per listing hint that rental demand is cooling.

Powell attributes this shift partly to a drop in overseas migration, anticipated to dip further as government policies aim to ease population growth.

Additionally, boost in first-homeownership, fueled by initiatives like Queensland's increased first-home buyer grants, the federal help-to-buy program, and new stamp duty concessions, is relieving some pressure from the rental market.

So, tenants, rejoice!

The rental landscape is evolving to offer more options and potentially better deals, easing the pinch of tight housing markets.

AI Jobs Boom: 200,000 Opportunities Coming for Aussies by 2030

Get ready to ride the AI wave!

A new report by the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) supported by Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Workday predicts that artificial intelligence could create up to 200,000 AI-related jobs in Australia by 2030.

That's a whole lot of opportunities knocking!

According to the "Meeting the AI Skills Boom" report, the Australian AI workforce has already jumped from about 800 workers in 2014 to more than 33,000 in 2023.

But hold onto your hats, folks - the next seven years will need a whopping 500% increase in AI workers to really keep up.

What's intriguing is that AI demand isn't just for the tech-savvy.

Jobs in human resources, sales, and governance will also need AI skills as businesses ramp up their AI game.

So whether you're crunching numbers or closing deals, AI know-how could be your golden ticket.

Boosting AI literacy across all kinds of roles is seen as crucial.

The economic perks are tantalizing, with AI adoption potentially adding a cool $115 billion into the economy - 70% of that from productivity gains.

So, whether you’re already a tech buff or just AI-curious, it sounds like prime time to get ahead of the curve!

So, Australia, are you ready to snag one of those 200,000 new AI jobs?

It’s time to skill up and cash in on the AI boom!

Airtasker Teams Up with oOhmedia for a $6M Branding Blitz

Airtasker is cranking up its Aussie visibility game with a hefty $6 million partnership with oOhmedia.

This power move aims to plaster Airtasker's brand across the country, leveraging oOhmedia's outdoor advertising muscle to reach more eyeballs in more places.

The deal is a 2-year convertible note arrangement, supported by Airtasker's strong financial health.

With zero debt and free cash flow in the green, Airtasker is all set to splash out on some big-time marketing.

CEO Tim Fung is bullish about the venture, and why not?

Their previous media strategies have hit the mark, and outdoor advertising presents unique engagement perks.

Think billboards, transit ads, and other high-traffic spots where oOhmedia shines.

For Airtasker, this isn't just a brand-awareness boost - it's a full-on growth strategy.

More exposure means more users, more gigs posted, and ultimately, more business done.

So, keep an eye out; Airtasker ads are coming to a billboard near you!

You Made It!

If you’ve read all the way up to here, we just wanted to let you know that you’re an absolute legend!

Time to go to work and show off how clued up you are about what’s going on in the business world 💪

Keep an eye out for tomorrow's newsletter. Until then, we’d love to get your feedback below!