This month’s newsletter is very topical, ranging from jobs and inflation to tax compliance and credit scores. I hope you enjoy the stories:

Job ads fall 3.5%
Credit scores explained
Prices still rising
ATO issues tax warning

Jobs & Skills Australia (JSA) has reported a clear easing in the labour market, although it remains tighter than before the pandemic.

The recruitment rate (which reflects the share of employers recruiting) was 50% in the December 2023 quarter – which was higher than the 48% recorded in the previous quarter but lower than the 56% from the previous year.

The number of job ads in the December quarter fell 3.5% quarter-on-quarter and 5.8% year-on-year.

Inflation held steady in January, with the consumer price index coming in at an annual rate of 3.4% for the second consecutive month, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.