Taxation systems and living standards
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Introduction
In this activity, students investigate the living standards of different countries in the Asia region. They locate display and interpret data to explain the relationship between living standards and taxation systems (tax revenue and spending). They collaboratively model the consequences of significant reductions to government spending to further explain this relationship.
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
Develop and modify questions to investigate a contemporary economic and business issue. (AC9HE10S01)
Locate, select and analyse information and data from a range of sources. (AC9HE10S02)
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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What if?
Taxation systems and living standards
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'.
- Discuss with students what they know about tax and how the money collected in tax is spent. Explain that tax revenue and spending is also known as the taxation system.
- Explain to students that they will be investigating the relationship between a country’s taxation system and its living standards.
- Students complete the investigation.
- Invite students to present their infographics to the class.
- Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 3 or 4.
- Groups use the group instructions to complete the ‘What is’ scenario.
- As a class discuss:
- the extent to which a high level of taxation is necessary for a good welfare system
- the extent to which a high level of taxation is necessary for high living standards.
- Students write a short statement (no more than 150 words) responding to one of the statements above.