Special Reports

Our annual Apartment Developers feature discusses the oversupply debate of apartments in Perth's inner city, the government's proposed changes to strata titles, and the next wave of demand for apartment projects.

The top end of the accounting profession in Western Australia has nearly doubled in size over the past decade, whereas the state’s major law firms have recorded minimal growth, according to employment data compiled by Business News.

The state’s healthcare and social services sectors are in for another decade of rapid change, industry leaders say, after growing employee numbers by more than 60,000 during the past 10 years.

Western Australia is feeling the effects of recent changes to workplace relations law, with 457 visa restrictions causing skills shortages in niche markets and a high level of industrial activity.

Our annual Biggest Employers feature has the latest BNiQ data on employment trends in WA, including the companies that are expanding and those that are shrinking, and in-depth analysis of what's happening in mining, construction, health care, accounting, law and other industries.

Kerry Stokes is one of Australia’s wealthiest and most private business leaders, but that has changed with the release of two biographies in two years. However conspicuous gaps in what we know about his deals and erstwhile partners remain.

The combined wealth of WA’s richest public company directors fell by around $3 billion in the past year, but some individuals bucked the trend.

Two long-term Perth franchises are hoping to embrace opportunities in WA's changing economy.

Small businesses have developed unique incentives to win staff over larger competition.

The small business sector has had some significant wins of late. Our 4-page special report analyses the issues facing small business, profiles two franchise groups expanding in WA and looks at unique incentive programs for staff.

WA’s higher education providers are benefiting from strong growth in Asia, but are facing increased competitive pressure.

Chinese demand continues to drive export growth in Western Australia, with more than 57 per cent ($6.2 billion) of the state’s $10.9 billion of goods exports in August bought by China.

Niche production of quality exports might be the future for high-cost sectors of WA’s agribusiness industry.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum is seeking to recover about $11 million in unpaid royalties amid producer disquiet about possible royalty rate increases.

The Business News annual export review has the latest data on 33 businesses representing $122 billion in outgoing trade. It also shows that while iron ore continues to dominate, the emergence of LNG, agriculture and services will benefit from a lower dollar.

The specialist corporate adviser has carved a niche, honing in on the international oil and gas and mining industry.

It has been a tough quarter for dealmakers as commodity and share prices slump but some players see promise in the market shake-out. This Special Report includes a fully updated database with 146 deals for the quarter and an updated stockbrokers list.

City councils are being urged to make it easier for local retail strips to be revitalised.

Retail property players say international fashion brands are only the beginning of the global onslaught.

After 10 years of limited development, Perth’s major shopping centres are expanding and evolving.

Retailers are increasingly trying to find a balance between having an online presence and getting shoppers through the door of traditional stores.

US-based executive search firm CTPartners has launched its new operation in Perth after buying local firm Park Brown for an undisclosed sum in July.

A joint project between Woodside Petroleum and Curtin University is aiming to boost productivity in the construction of liquefied natural gas projects in Western Australia.

Scientists and engineers in Perth have begun quietly setting up a centre which could encourage more floating gas projects off Western Australia's coast and create local jobs.

Last month’s huge oil discovery off the Pilbara coast, which could be the largest local find in 30 years, has already provided West Perth junior Carnarvon Petroleum with a significant boost to its share price.

A new report says governments will need to balance the need to keep gas prices low for local consumers with securing royalties from producers.

WA is expected to be the world's second-largest LNG exporter by 2020.

Obtaining a small bar liquor licence has become increasingly complicated and prompted some players to abandon plans to open new venues.

FEATURE: Les Davis and Bill Beament are two of the Western Australian gold industry’s most influential people, but the person who has infinitely more power over gold in WA than the chief executives of Silver Lake and Northern Star doesn’t live here.

FEATURE: Star in name, star in nature; it has been a rapid rise for one of the state’s major players.

FEATURE: If the adage ‘three strikes and you’re out’ applied to the gold mining industry, the curtains would already have been drawn; but some determined locals are fighting on.

FEATURE: Architecture and planning professionals have some innovative solutions to the challenges Perth faces in reaching the world's top five most liveable cities.