Using taxes and social welfare payments to redistribute income
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Introduction
In this activity, students explore how tax revenue is used to redistribute income through social welfare payments. They interpret data to draw evidence-based conclusions about Australia’s welfare system, including whether the Job Seeker payment rate should be increased and why.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 10, students explain why and how governments manage economic performance to improve living standards. They give explanations for variations in economic performance and standards of living within and between economies. They analyse factors that influence major consumer and financial decisions and explain the short- and long-term effects of these decisions. They explain how businesses respond to changing economic conditions and improve productivity. Students evaluate the effect of organisational and workforce management on business performance.
When researching, students develop questions and formulate hypotheses to frame an investigation of an economic or business issue or event. They gather and analyse reliable data and information from different sources to identify trends, explain relationships and make predictions. Students generate alternative responses to an issue, taking into account multiple perspectives. They use cost-benefit analysis and appropriate criteria to propose and justify a course of action. They apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts to familiar, unfamiliar and complex hypothetical problems. Students develop and present evidence-based conclusions and reasoned arguments incorporating different points of view. They use appropriate texts, subject-specific language, conventions and concepts. They analyse the intended and unintended effects of economic and business decisions and the potential consequences of alternative actions.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
The ways that governments manage economic performance to improve living standards (ACHEK052).
Economics and Business Skills
Gather relevant and reliable data and information from a range of digital, online and print sources (ACHES056).
Analyse data and information in different formats to explain cause-and-effect relationships, make predictions and illustrate alternative perspectives (ACHES057).
Generate a range of viable options in response to an economic or business issue or event, use cost-benefit analysis and appropriate criteria to recommend and justify a course of action and predict the potential consequences of the proposed action (ACHES058).
Present reasoned arguments and evidence-based conclusions in a range of appropriate formats using economics and business conventions, language and concepts (ACHES060).
Student learning resources
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Using taxes and social welfare payments to redistribute income
Using taxes and social welfare payments to redistribute income
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.
- Begin with a where do you stand activity in response to the statement: The money spent on welfare and social security is a good use of taxpayers’ money.
- Read the explainer as a class.
Alternatively, students or pairs of students read the explainer taking notes using the Cornell note taking system. - Students complete the worksheet.
- Invite students to share their tweets with the class.
- Close the lesson by repeating the where do you stand activity. Invite students who changed their views to explain why.