Tax, super and pay slips
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Introduction
In this activity, students learn how to check that their employers are meeting their responsibilities in relation to paying the correct amount of tax and super on their behalf. In doing so, they learn that employees also have responsibilities to check their pay slips regularly.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 9, students explain the role of the Australian economy in allocating and distributing resources, and analyse the interdependence of participants in the global economy. They explain the importance of managing financial risks and rewards and analyse the different strategies that may be used. They explain why businesses seek to create a competitive advantage, including through innovation, and evaluate the strategies that may be used. Students analyse the roles and responsibilities of participants in the workplace.
When researching, students develop questions and simple hypotheses to frame an investigation of an economic or business issue. They gather and analyse relevant data and information from different sources to answer questions, identify trends and explain relationships. Students generate alternative responses to an issue and use cost-benefit analysis and appropriate criteria to propose a course of action. They apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts to familiar, unfamiliar and hypothetical problems. Students develop and present evidence-based conclusions and reasoned arguments using appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts. They analyse the effects of economic and business decisions and the potential consequences of alternative actions.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
The changing roles and responsibilities of participants in the Australian or global workplace (ACHEK042).
Economics and Business Skills
Gather relevant and reliable data and information from a range of digital, online and print sources (ACHES044).
Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar, new and hypothetical situations (ACHES047).
Present reasoned arguments and evidence-based conclusions in a range of appropriate formats using economics and business conventions, language and concepts (ACHES048).
Teacher resources
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Weekly tax tables
Moneysmart employer contributions calculator
Student learning resources
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Tax, super and pay slips
Checking pay slips
Using the Moneysmart employer contributions calculator
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. If you assign this activity to a class, your students will be assigned all student resources on their 'My learning' page. You can also hand-pick the resources students are assigned by selecting individual resources when you add a work item to a class in 'My classes'.
Part A: Income tax
- Ask students if they have a job and receive a payslip. How often and if they check it? What do they check?
- As a class, read the ‘income tax’ and ‘how do you pay tax’ sections of the explainer, clarifying terms and concepts. Alternatively, students read these sections of the explainer individually or in pairs and take notes using the Cornell note taking system.
- Demonstrate to students how to access weekly tax tables on the ATO website.
- Explain the difference between the tax-free threshold and no tax-free threshold.
- Students complete part 1 of the worksheet.
- Invite students to share their responses.
Part B: Superannuation Guarantee
- As a class, read the ‘superannuation guarantee contribution’ section of the explainer. Alternatively, students read these sections of the explainer individually or in pairs and take notes using the Cornell note taking system.
- Demonstrate to students how to use the moneysmart employer contributions calculator.
- Students complete part 2 of the worksheet.
- Discuss why it is important to know if you are eligible for the super guarantee contribution. Use the example of Suzie from the worksheet if necessary.
Part C: Pay slips
- As a class, read the pay slips section of the explainer. Alternatively, students read these sections of the explainer individually or in pairs and take notes using the Cornell note taking system.
- Students complete part 3 of the worksheet.
Part D: Develop advice
- Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 4.
- Groups complete part 4 of the worksheet.
- Post group products on the wall and conduct a gallery walk so all students can view the products of other groups.
- Students write a short statement (no more than 150 words) outlining the steps an individual should take to protect and assert their rights to superannuation.