News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs.
Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from Sept 8 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

333D Returns to Profit

SYDNEY, Sept 11 – 333D Limited (ASX: T3D) has posted its first profit in more than five years, reporting revenue of $1,001,873 for FY2025, up 426 per cent on the prior year. Profit after tax reached $143,777, with positive operating cashflow of $70,681 compared to a $506,606 outflow in FY2024.
CEO and Managing Director John Conidi said the turnaround signals a new growth phase. “Our turnaround is clear – from loss to profit in a single year,” he said. “We’ve built a platform that is proven, profitable and ready to scale. Every new client we bring on flows directly into higher profits, stronger cashflow and greater shareholder value.”
Looking ahead, the company is prioritising healthcare and digital asset management, with $1 million allocated for continued platform investment. “We see enormous opportunity in healthcare. Preventative medicine, full-body scanning and personalised data – especially as they converge with AI – are the types of next-level innovations we aim to lead,” Conidi said.
While 333D has highlighted its Bitcoin treasury policy, Conidi stressed that it remains a secondary element. “Our business isn’t crypto – it’s healthcare and digital asset management,” he said.
With profitability restored and cashflow positive, 333D says it is well positioned for scalable growth.

AusPost Builds Sunshine Coast Hub

SYDNEY, Sept 11 : Australia Post will build a new multimillion-dollar Parcel Facility on the Sunshine Coast to meet rising demand in the region.
Expected to open in late 2026, the automated facility will process up to 16,000 parcels a day, and 21,000 during peak seasons such as Christmas.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Network Operations, Rod Barnes, said the project underscores the company’s commitment to infrastructure investment. “As one of Queensland’s fastest growing regions, our parcel volumes have increased 10 per cent annually – well above the national average of six per cent. With 164,000 locals shopping online in the past year, and areas like Caloundra, Buderim and Nambour recording above national average eCommerce growth, this new Parcel Facility will help us respond to that demand and deliver parcels to customers’ doors sooner,” he said.
The hub will feature advanced automation to improve turnaround times and enhance safety by reducing manual handling through the installation of a large parcel sorter.
The announcement follows Australia Post’s recent infrastructure plans in New South Wales, with six new greenfield sites set for Tumut, Leeton, Casino, Deniliquin, Forbes and Byron Bay.

Aussies Hide Money Secrets

SYDNEY, Sept 11 : More than one in four Australians in relationships are hiding financial secrets from their partners, according to new research by comparison site Finder.
A survey of 1,017 respondents, including 591 people in relationships, revealed 27 per cent have concealed money habits such as debt, hidden accounts or gambling. One in 10 admitted to secretly racking up debt via a credit card or personal loan, while 9 per cent said they had opened a bank account or credit card in their name only. Another 9 per cent confessed to gambling in secret.
Other undisclosed actions included financially helping friends or family (8 per cent), making major purchases (7 per cent), investing or selling investments (6 per cent), and withdrawing large sums from joint accounts (4 per cent).
Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said the widespread level of financial secrecy is concerning. “Keeping financial secrets from your partner can be just as damaging as emotional or physical betrayal when it comes to breaking trust,” she said.
Megginson warned that while some see secret spending as harmless, the long-term consequences can be serious. She urged couples to build trust through open conversations about money and encouraged those in financial distress to seek support from the National Debt Helpline.

Juniper Estate Wins Top Wine

PERTH, Sept 11: Juniper Estate has claimed ‘Wine of Show’ at the Royal Perth Wine Awards for its 2024 Cornerstone Karridale Chardonnay, the first full vintage by new winemaker Andrew Bretherton.
The wine also won ‘Best White Wine’, ‘Best WA Wine’ and ‘Best Chardonnay’, placing it in the top 0.09 per cent of the 1,096 entries judged. Juniper’s second entry, the 2024 Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay, earned a Gold Medal in the Chardonnay class.
Second generation owner and CEO Tom Hill said the recognition reflects nearly three decades of effort. “We have a great team of people in the Juniper family – Andy making incredible wines, and Ianto Ward our viticulturist, who is very passionate about sustainability, soil health and the vines,” he said.
Bretherton said the trophies and medal were a reward for the hard work of the vineyard and winery teams. “It is a great reward for the hard work put in by both our vineyard and winery teams and a fantastic acknowledgement of the quality of our programs and our vineyard sites,” he said.
From more than 1,000 wines judged in 59 classes, fewer than 10 per cent were awarded gold medals. Six Chardonnay wines from Margaret River, including Juniper’s, received gold this year.

ACS Pushes Cyber Workforce Growth

SYDNEY, Sept 9 – The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has urged stronger investment in digital skills to support the Federal Government’s 2023–2030 Cyber Security Strategy, warning that Australia will need an additional 54,000 cyber security specialists by 2030.
ACS estimates cyberattacks cost the economy $63 billion annually, despite a workforce of around 137,500 cyber professionals. “Every blocked cyber attack helps protect data and save money,” said ACS CEO Josh Griggs. “So even a modest improvement in workforce capability can have a massive impact.”
Griggs said more incentives are needed for earn-while-you-learn programs so workers can upskill without sacrificing income. “These programs mean workers don’t have to choose between upskilling and paying their mortgage. And they ensure employers can confidently invest in skills to make their staff more productive and cyber-aware,” he said.
The ACS submission calls for greater support for apprenticeships and micro-credentials, skills-first hiring aligned to international frameworks, a national mentoring network, and procurement policies that strengthen sovereign capability.
ACS’s Digital Pulse 2025 report estimates closing the digital skills gap could deliver a $25 billion productivity boost by 2035, with digital technologies already contributing $134 billion to the economy and employing more than one million Australians.

DHL Among Top Workplaces

SINGAPORE, Sept 8: DHL Express has been ranked second on the 2025 Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in Asia™ list, marking a decade of recognition in the top three.
The logistics provider said the accolade highlights its people-first culture and commitment to employee welfare, even amid volatile global trade conditions. “Our people are the center of everything we do. I am proud of our achievement for consistently being recognized as the preferred workplace,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “As we are confronted by evolving trade patterns and increasingly complex supply chains, we must remain focused, agile and adaptable, without compromising on our people’s safety and overall wellbeing.”
The recognition comes as DHL Group advances its Strategy 2030, addressing workforce dynamics shaped by technology and digitalisation. The company has invested in new platforms to boost productivity in sales and customer service, alongside a focus on diversity, inclusivity and upskilling.
“Being recognized as one of Asia’s top workplaces is a reflection of the culture we’ve built together – one that values inclusion, growth, and purpose,” said Fadzlun Sapandi, Executive Vice President of HR at DHL Express.
DHL Express also celebrated more than 200 employees at its annual Employee of the Year awards across Asia Pacific, alongside DHL’s Got Heart winners who were recognised for their community contributions.

Adobe: AI Boosts Travel Planning

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 11: Generative AI is transforming how consumers plan trips, with traffic to U.S. travel websites from AI sources surging 3,500 per cent year-on-year in July 2025, according to new Adobe Analytics data.
A survey of 5,000 U.S. consumers found 29 per cent have used AI for trip planning, with research the most common use case. Of these, 53 per cent used AI to find attractions, restaurants and hidden gems, while 47 per cent sought travel inspiration, 45 per cent focused on transport, and 39 per cent looked for local food recommendations. AI is also helping with budgeting (33 per cent) and itinerary building (37 per cent).
Adobe found AI-driven traffic is 15 per cent more engaged than other sources, with 36 per cent longer visits, seven per cent more pages per session and a 44 per cent lower bounce rate. While conversions still lag, traffic from AI was 47 per cent less likely to convert in July – a sharp improvement from 86 per cent in October 2024.
Of those who have used AI for trip planning, 88 per cent said it improved their travel experience, with Millennials (89 per cent) and Gen X (91 per cent) especially positive.

Aussies Book Holidays They Can’t Afford

SYDNEY, Sept 8: One in seven Australians booked a holiday they couldn’t afford in the past year, according to new research by comparison site Finder.
A survey of 1,014 respondents revealed 14 per cent – the equivalent of 2.9 million people – took trips without the funds to pay for them. Five per cent went into debt, four per cent borrowed money from family or friends, and another five per cent cancelled plans due to lack of money.
Young Australians were the most likely to overspend, with 26 per cent of Gen Z admitting they booked a trip they couldn’t afford, compared to just 2 per cent of baby boomers.
“For many, the lure of a holiday is so strong they’re willing to risk their financial stability just to get away,” said Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder. “A trip might only last a week, but the debt can linger for months or even years – that’s often not factored in.”
Kidman urged Australians to save before booking, recommending setting aside $200 a month to build a $2,400 annual holiday fund.

Studies Back School Phone Bans

ADELAIDE, Sept 11: New research from Flinders University has found mobile phone bans in South Australian schools are delivering measurable mental health and wellbeing benefits for students.
The studies, conducted with international experts, analysed feedback from more than 1,500 students across five schools before and after the June 2023 ban. Responses highlighted stronger social connections, improved classroom focus and better health outcomes, including reduced cyberbullying and conflict.
“Together, the two studies highlight that phone-free schools seem to provide students with a valuable ‘digital break’ that supports both mental health and learning,” said research fellow and clinical psychologist Dr Marcela Radunz. She cautioned that bans should be paired with digital literacy and mental health programs to better prepare young people.
Senior author Professor Daniel King said improvements in wellbeing were modest but meaningful. “Although improvements were modest, research is supporting the idea that even small reductions in psychological distress could have important public health implications if implemented at a large scale,” he said.
The findings are published in Computers in Human Behavior, adding weight to global evidence that reducing excessive smartphone use can ease anxiety and depression among adolescents.