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 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)
Develop and evaluate a response to an economic and business issue, using cost-benefit analysis or criteria to decide on a course of action. (AC9HE10S04)
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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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.