Tax spending
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Introduction
This activity introduces students to the concept of a federal Budget and how the government uses tax revenue to fund goods and services that promote the living standards of all Australians. Students interpret budget data to develop hypotheses and arguments on reasons for budgetary changes over time.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 10, students analyse how economic indicators influence Australian Government decision-making. They explain ways that government intervenes to improve economic performance and living standards. They explain processes that businesses use to manage the workforce and improve productivity. They explain the importance of Australia’s superannuation system and its effect on consumer and financial decision-making. Students analyse factors that influence major consumer and financial decisions, and explain the short- and long-term effects of these decisions.
Students develop and modify a range of questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and analyse relevant and reliable information and data from a range of sources. They interpret and analyse information and data to evaluate trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships, and make predictions about consumer and financial impacts. They develop an evidence-based response to an economic and business issue. They evaluate a response, using appropriate criteria to decide on a course of action. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts, and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and reasoned arguments that synthesise research findings.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
The ways that government intervenes in the economy to improve economic performance and living standards within Australian society. (AC9HE10K02)
Economics and Business Skills
Interpret information and data, explaining economic and business issues, trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships, and make predictions about consumer and financial impacts. (AC9HE10S03)
Create descriptions, explanations and arguments, using economic and business knowledge, concepts. And terms that incorporate and acknowledge and research findings. (AC9HE10S05)
Student learning resources
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Tax Spending Workbook
Changes to tax spending
Writing paragraphs in Economics
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Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group.
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Brainstorm the services the Australian Government provides.
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As a class, read through the investigation, clarifying any misunderstandings as you do and consolidating student understanding of the meaning of a federal Budget and developing a hypothesis.
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Students complete the investigation, which requires them to access the tax spending workbook.
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If necessary, explicitly teach how paragraphs are structured using the paragraph model.
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Discuss with the class their findings and conclusions. Were they surprised by what they found? Why?