The Financial Basics Foundation has launched a suite of free financial literacy courses designed for high school students across Australia. Cashed Up is supported by the Australian Retirement Trust and aims to tackle the concerning decline in financial literacy rates among young Australians by equipping them with essential, real-world financial skills.
Cashed Up is a curriculum-aligned resource that’s tailored to empower teachers with ready-to-use, stand-alone lessons that can be integrated across various subjects. Unlike traditional programs, it puts a firm focus on life skills to help ensure financial literacy is accessible to every student, regardless of their academic pathway.
Despite elements of financial literacy being included in the national curriculum, there is no consistent delivery approach nationwide. Cashed Up bridges this gap with six comprehensive online courses, freely available to all Australian secondary schools. The program covers foundational financial concepts, from managing money and understanding employment to preparing for adult responsibilities.
Research shows that introducing financial literacy early in life results in better long-term financial outcomes. Studies indicate that young Australians aged 15 to 24 exhibit some of the lowest levels of financial literacy, underpinning a consistent need for effective financial education literacy programs in schools. [1]
The online tool is accessible to all teachers, regardless of subject area, with a view to provide valuable, ready-to-use resources which can be easily integrated into all classrooms. The courses cover a range of key financial topics:
The Cashed Up modules are:
- Course 1 – Level Up Your Money Plan: Targeted to year seven, it provides students with practical experience in goal-setting and decision-making and begins to explore their relationship with and understanding of money.
- Course 2 – Take Charge of Your Spending: Targeted to year eight, students will have the opportunity to analyse and reflect on their money attitudes and habits in a variety of contexts.
- Course 3 – Get ready to Work: Targeted to year nine, students will gain an understanding of the different types of employment as they get ready to earn their own income.
- Course 4 – Start Earning: Targeted to year 10, it explores the financial implications of joining the workforce in Australia including taxes, practical safe, ethical, and responsible spending, and consumer and worker rights and responsibilities.
- Course 5 – Build some wealth: Targeted to year 11, it encourages students to reflect on the financial matters that will affect them in the future.
- Course 6 – Start Adulting: Targeted to senior students, it explores concepts around living independently such as tenancy issues and budgeting, buying your first car, insurance and planning a holiday.
Better financial literacy teaches skills for life
Financial Basics Foundation CEO Katrina Samios is optimistic about the impact Cashed Up will have on Australian secondary school students.
“We know from research and decades of experience in education that building financial skills early is essential for young people to grow into financially capable and successful adults,” she says.
“We are excited to offer this free program to schools and community organisations, helping to foster a financially confident generation.”
