Lesson 1: What is Tax?
What tax is and why we use it.
A short introduction to what tax is and how it funds services we all use.
Tax
Start with four short foundational lessons: what tax is, why we pay tax, types of tax in Australia, and income tax basics. Then cover Tax File Numbers and tax returns, GST and everyday taxes, deductions and offsets, and tax and your first job.
Module overview
- 8 lessons total
- Foundation Lessons 1 to 4: Short and essential (3 to 5 min each)
- Lessons 5 to 8: TFN and tax returns, GST and everyday taxes, deductions and offsets, tax and your first job
Phase 1: Foundation
Lesson 2: Why We Pay Tax
Why governments collect tax.
Why we pay tax and how it benefits the community.
Lesson 3: Types of Tax in Australia
The main types of tax in Australia.
Income tax, GST and other common taxes you will encounter.
Lesson 4: Income Tax Basics
What counts as income and how tax applies.
What counts as taxable income, tax brackets and how more income can mean a higher rate on the extra amount.
Phase 2: Going further
Lesson 5: Tax File Numbers and Tax Returns
Your TFN and how to lodge a return.
What a Tax File Number is, why you need one, and how to lodge a tax return.
Lesson 6: GST and Everyday Taxes
GST and tax on everyday spending.
What GST is, how it works on goods and services, and other everyday taxes.
Lesson 7: Tax Deductions and Offsets
What can reduce your tax.
What tax deductions and offsets are, common examples and why you need records.
Lesson 8: Tax and Your First Job
PAYG, payslips and your first job.
How tax is withheld from your pay (PAYG), reading your payslip and what to expect in your first job.
Applied Case Study
After completing the lessons, do the Applied Case Study to bring together everything you have learned. You will read a scenario about a young person managing their money and answer 8 questions that use concepts from Lessons 1–8. Your answers are saved in your browser and will be graded by your teacher using a rubric.
Go to Applied Case Study →