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Western Australia's unemployment rate has fallen to just 4.3 per cent, with the jobless rate remaining steady at a national level.

The state's housing construction market is tipped to remain at its strongest level in years on the back of a 34 per cent increase in dwelling starts in 2012-13.

More than $123 million has been wiped from the market value of mining services firm Ausdrill after the company forecast a more than 50 per cent fall in its annual earnings.

The Australian stock market has opened weaker ahead of the release of October's official employment figures.

Australia's competition watchdog has recommended reforms to ensure ongoing business growth at the nation's major ports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed to a new record, even as investors punished some tech names after Tesla earnings disappointed.

Australia sells more of its top-shelf wine to China than any other country but the industry is going to great lengths to convince drinkers there it has even more to offer.

The Australian dollar continues to push higher, boosted by a recent batch of strong economic data.

Tailoring your sales pitch to specific customer needs can help you win business.

Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson has rejected a suggestion that the government should guarantee loans for small businesses to foster growth in the sector.

Finbar Group is on the lookout for new opportunities in the Pilbara, despite selling less than half the apartments in its most recent project in Karratha.

Cash flow can be a make or break issue for many small businesses.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has officially opened its new corporate office in Naval Base, a move managing director Simon High says reflects the business’s growth and confidence in the yea

Trade exchange business Bartercard has taken control of its Western Australia franchise in the hope it can rekindle enthusiasm among members.

The Australian share market has closed almost flat, with a healthy quarterly earnings report from the Commonwealth Bank the highlight.

The City of Perth has launched a free wireless internet service in the central business district - but it comes a year after a local technology company did the same.

Shares in Subiaco-based explorer Resource and Investment have closed the day's trade higher after feasibility studies revealed low operating costs at its gold projects near Meekatharra.

Red Mountain Mining says it is keen to fast-track development at its Batangas gold project in the Philippines after encountering an exceptionally high-grade gold lode of about 1 ounce per tonne.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting is set to boost its stake in oil and gas explorer Sun Resources, agreeing to invest a further $2 million in the company in exchange for around 65 million shares.

Drilling contractor Swick Mining Services is planning to invest up to $6.5 million in a Swedish mineral analysis technology company as it looks to turn around its performance.

Education ministers from states yet to sign up to the Gonski school funding overhaul are meeting with federal minister Christopher Pyne to discuss the matter.

Forge Group has suspended its shares two days after calling a trading halt as it is still unable to determine the full extent of performance issues at two of its power station projects.

Engineering and maintenance firm Downer EDI says it will take some time for its rail business to adjust to the slowdown in the mining sector.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is on track to make another record full year profit, after recording earnings of $2.1 billion in the three months to the end of September.

Australian stocks have started the local session on the back foot, following weakness on international markets.

The benchmark US oil price has sunk to a five-month low as traders anticipate a key report will show US supplies are continuing to pile up.

US stocks have ended mostly lower as analysts pointed to the need for markets to absorb recent gains after a number of records in the past couple of weeks.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after its fall following the Reserve Bank's monetary policy statement expressing concern about the currency's high value.

A recent report on R&D spending in Australia sheds interesting light on the perennial debate over this country’s competitive future.

While not-for-profit directors are generally supportive of the federal national disability insurance scheme, there is concern that the policy does not consider the long-term impact of the intended changes.

Tighter federal and state budgets are going to make economic reform harder in the future, a report says.

Western Australia's International Centre of Radio Astronomy Research is amongst the global research institutions to secure detailed design work on the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project, though the lion's share of the pre-construction work is set to be conducted overseas.