SME Cybersecurity: Scamwatch says Australians have lost nearly $187m to scams this year, and AI is making rip-offs harder to spot—banks warn small and medium businesses are frequent targets, including fake invoices and business impersonation. Practical Energy Help for Regional Businesses: RE-Alliance and Farmers for Climate Action released a plain-English guide to help rural SMEs choose electrification options (solar, batteries, electric machinery, stand-alone power, microgrids) as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme expands from 100kW to 1MW from 1 Oct 2026. Nighttime Economy Boosts Local Trade: New research on Australia’s after-dark economy finds record jobs and sales, with nightlife shifting beyond alcohol into food, culture and sport—plus Thursday emerging as a key social night. Payments Rewards for SMBs: Pay.com.au’s PayRewards launches in the US with US$28m funding, letting small businesses earn points on payments like ACH and tax bills. IP Support for Queensland Firms: Macmillan Lawyers and Advisors expands Brisbane/Southeast QLD intellectual property services, including trade marks, copyright, design rights, licensing and enforcement. AI Adoption for Owners: NAB highlights that SMEs want practical AI training for everyday tasks (proposals, paperwork, customer comms), not big tech overhauls. Local Procurement Dispute: ACT light rail works face disruption after a traffic-control certificate issue, reigniting debate over the Secure Local Jobs Code and its impact on local firms. Defence Jobs in WA: The Albanese and Cook governments selected the Henderson Defence Precinct site, aiming to build a shipbuilding and sustainment hub and support thousands of jobs.