Keeping occupiers and visitors safe is paramount for property owners and building managers.

Thermographic scans are essential early detection checks that can identify ‘hot spots’ in electrical equipment which can identify faulty electrical systems.

How do they prevent fires?

An annual scan as part of the routine maintenance can detect electrical hot spots, a sign of malfunction or overheating in key equipment that are likely to cause power outages, short circuits or fires. 

What is a Thermographic Scan?

Scans are undertaken by qualified professionals with handheld specialised cameras that capture infrared radiation (‘Hot Spots’). This is a non-invasive method used to identify and detect faults or potential issues in the wiring and electrical systems, including:

• Electrical Switchboards
• Motors including Bearings and Gearboxes
• Electrical Panels
• LV Equipment
• Transformers
• Power Factor Correction Units

Why Do You Need a Thermographic Scan for Your Building?

1. Safety of Tenants and Visitors

• The safety of people in the building is of paramount importance. The building and loss of rental income can be insured, preventing fires is a legal requirement as a PCBU for the safety of tenants and visitors.

2. Fire Prevention

• Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of property damage. Faulty wiring, overheating components, or loose connections can spark a fire if left unchecked. A thermographic wiring scan can detect hot spots before they turn into a major problem. By identifying areas at risk of overheating, you can prevent fires from starting and protect your property and rental income.

3. Reduced Downtime and Disruptions

• For commercial properties, electrical issues can lead to significant downtime, affecting daily operations. A thermographic wiring scan can identify potential issues before they cause power outages or disruptions. This proactive approach helps maintain the smooth operation of your building’s electrical systems and avoids unplanned interruptions.

4. Compliance with Regulations and Insurance Requirements

• Regular electrical inspections are required to comply with building codes and safety regulations. A thermographic wiring scan can form part of these inspections, ensuring that your building is in compliance. Additionally, many insurance policies require proof of regular electrical inspections, and failing to meet these requirements may affect your insurance cover.

A thermographic scan is relatively cheap when compared to a fire and potential for people being injured and damage to the building and loss of rental income. 

It is usually a requirement to meet local laws and regulations and also for insurance. 

Talk to your insurance adviser, they will be able to discuss your needs and assist with organising a thermographic inspection, if needed.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.

Vulnerability can be short or long term and includes issues related to age; disability; mental health conditions; literacy barriers; cultural background, etc.

Insurers and insurance advisers and assessors are required to treat this information, Confidentially, so it’s not shared with other unless it’s needed to assist you.

Vulnerable Person

Examples of Vulnerable persons might include people experiencing:

• Financial hardship: this can a result of a fire, storm or disaster or reduced income due to loss of work. 
• Family violence, Coercive Control: insurers can provide additional advice and work with you as needed.
• Disabilities: Physical or mental disabilities, let your insurer know, so they can work with you especially when making a claim. 
• Cultural, language or literacy: insurers are required to offer additional advice and assistance when you’re buying insurance or when it’s time to make a claim.

Let your insurer know about your Vulnerability so they can assist you.

Key reasons to advise your Vulnerable

Enhanced Claims assistance - You receive additional assistance as needed during the claims process, including priority assessing and repairs and claims assistance.

Insurance company & your insurance adviser - will work with you to assist as needed, revising premium payments, offering counselling or similar services to best manage the vulnerability. 

How to Disclose Vulnerability to Your Insurer

If you or a member of your household is vulnerable (even if you're not sure) let your insurance adviser or the insurer/ assessor know as soon as possible. 

Let them know your personal circumstances and how you are impacted, it doesn't matter if it’s temporary or permanent. For example, let the insurer know you live outside the nearest town or experiencing personal hardship due to a family matter or loss of income. 

If someone has a disability, explain how this affects their daily living. If you have elderly relatives at home, mention their age and any specific needs they may have.

Help if you’re Vulnerable

Vulnerability includes issues related to age; disability; finances, mental health conditions; literacy barriers; cultural background, domestic situation etc. It can be short or long term.

Talk to your insurance adviser, insurer and assessors if you think you’re Vulnerable, they will treat your information Confidentially and Empathically, also then can provide you with additional support and assistance.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.

At Insurance Advisernet, supporting organisations that make a tangible impact in the lives of vulnerable children and families is a core part of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to announce the IA Foundation recently donated $10,000 to Act for Kids, one of Australia’s leading child protection charities, to help fund their Gold Coast Flourish Program.

The Flourish Program provides vital therapeutic support to children and families on the Gold Coast who have experienced trauma due to abuse, neglect or harm. Delivered from the Rotary Community Hub in Labrador by a team of dedicated allied health professionals, Flourish offers trauma-informed and evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, play therapy, and expressive therapies.

The challenges these children face are complex. Many are dealing with emotional distress, anxiety, behavioural concerns and peer isolation. Others are disengaged from school due to bullying or learning difficulties. On top of this, family stressors such as financial hardship, inconsistent caregiving or exposure to domestic violence can further impact their wellbeing. Flourish aims to address these issues with holistic, child-centred care that helps young people regain confidence, build resilience and start to thrive.

This is just one part of the broader impact Act for Kids has across the country. With more than 34 therapy centres and over 450 staff, the organisation provides integrated therapy, early intervention, family support, disability services, education programs, and care for children in crisis. In the last year alone, they supported more than 36,000 children and families, and in the past six years, their services have reached nearly a quarter of a million Australians in need.

Their purpose is simple yet powerful: to help keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives.

The IA Foundation has been an ongoing supporter of Act for Kids for several years now, and we are continually inspired by the dedication and professionalism of their team. Our latest donation helps ensure that the Gold Coast Flourish Program can continue delivering critical services to the children who need them most and we’re incredibly proud to play a small part in that.

To learn more about the incredible work of Act for Kids or find out how you can support them, visit www.actforkids.com.au.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.

As the 2024-2025 financial year wraps up, small businesses across Australia are entering one of their busiest periods – and cyber criminals know it.

From lodging tax returns and reconciling accounts to implementing new superannuation thresholds and finalising payroll, it’s a time of high activity and, unfortunately, high risk. According to research from CommBank, one in four Australians have seen or experienced an EOFY scam, with the ATO reporting a 179% increase in scam emails and a 414% increase in scam SMS in just one year.

Why Tax Time is Prime Time for Cyber Attacks

Cyber criminals prey on the increased pressure and reduced vigilance many businesses experience during EOFY. Scams often include:

• Fake ATO or myGov messages with phishing links
• Fraudulent invoices that look like genuine supplier bills
• Payment redirection scams, often involving fake emails from familiar contacts
• Compromised cloud storage or email accounts
• Remote access support scams targeting you or your team

Many small businesses believe they’re too small to be a target – but the average cost of a cyber attack is $46,000. That’s a major hit to any business, let alone one already juggling year-end responsibilities.

Simple Steps to Strengthen Your Cyber Security

Protecting your business doesn’t require tech wizardry. Here are just a few quick wins:

• Enable multi-factor authentication on all key accounts
• Upgrade to passphrases and use a password manager
• Be suspicious of urgent requests for payment or information
• Stick to verified software and trusted IT support providers
• Switch to eInvoicing, which is safer than emailing PDFs

Importantly, ensure your staff are trained to recognise and respond to cyber threats. Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting not just business owners but also employees and even family members connected to your accounts. 

Need help protecting your business from cyber risks this EOFY?

Cyber security is a key part of any risk management strategy. 

Talk with your local insurance adviser about protection for your business and customers. They’ll work to provide the coverage at a cost to meet your needs, as you head into the new financial year.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly widely spread, from google to ChatGPT to HR systems and like anything new there are risks and opportunities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of computer software to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making.

This alert explores AI specific risk management.

Key risks:

• Ethical and social concerns, including embedded bias and potential discrimination from the basic programming stage; human oversight and monitoring are key to managing these risks. 
• Privacy and security, like any system, there will be existing and developing vulnerabilities that will require continually monitoring and fixes.
• Legal and compliance obligations, systems that contain, manage or sort personal or sensitive information have to comply with state and federal laws and regulations. 

Extending your current risk management to the AI systems in use will assist to minimise any issues for the business, employees, customers and other stakeholders.  

Risk recommendations:

• Establish AI governance frameworks with clear accountability
• Ensure data quality and monitor for bias and performance drift
• Vet third-party AI tools and suppliers as part of the supply chain

Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or already deploying complex models, AI risk management is important. Speak with your insurance adviser today to explore how AI-related exposures may impact your insurances and risk profile — and to ensure cover evolves alongside AI programs.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.

Lots of people operating an office or business from home and it’s essential that your major asset has the right insurance. 

While some insurers will provide cover for a home office and office contents (for a small extra cost), most insurers don’t cover home businesses if they involve importing, repairing or retailing from the home.  

Check List 

1. Selling goods and equipment sourced in Australia

You’ll need separate business insurance to cover: 

• Stock and business contents for fire and accidental damage,  
• Public liability if people are injured collecting or delivering goods at your home; as well as
• Product liability to cover your legal defence costs and court-awarded damages if a customer is injured using the item.

2. Repairing, repacking or importing goods or equipment 

The importer or wholesaler is responsible under the Australian Consumer law for loss or damage caused by the product. Therefore, you’ll need separate business insurance to cover:

• Product liability to cover your legal defence costs and court-awarded damages if a customer is injured using the item; and
• Public liability if people are injured delivering or collecting goods from your home.
• As well as Stock and business contents for fire and accidental damage. 

3. Professional advice or services

If your providing professional services such as accounting or IT consulting from your home, you’ll need professional indemnity insurance to cover your legal defence costs and any court awarded damages from alleged or actual act, errors or omissions which your customer complains has caused them a financial loss. 

It’s important to note that professional indemnity covers financial loss, where as Public and Product Liability covers personal injury or damage to property from goods you sell.

4. Cyber hacking and breach of personal information

If you store personal or sensitive customer or business information or conduct online transactions, cyber liability insurance is a must. Home insurers don’t provide this cover, so specialised insurance is needed to cover lost data, ransoms and loss of business.

Operating a Business from Home? Check your Home Insurance 

Many home insurers don’t automatically cover personal injury or property damage arising from a home business, so if you operate any sort of business, whether bookkeeping or chiropractor, you should talk to your insurance adviser and discuss your business and risks. 

By understanding your home-based business risks and insurance needs, you can manage the financial exposure and focus on growing a profitable business.

General Advice Warning

This communication including any weblinks or attachments is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation or opinion, your personal or individual objectives, financial situation or needs have not been taken into account. This communication is not intended to be a constitute personal advice. We strongly recommend that you consider the suitability of this information, in respect of your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. This document is also not a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or a policy wording, nor is it a summary of a particular product’s features or terms of any insurance product. If you are interested in discussing this information or acquiring an insurance product, you should contact your insurance adviser to obtain and carefully consider any relevant PDS or policy wording before deciding whether to purchase any insurance product.