Foundation Programs

The Foundation currently supports a diverse range of programs and initiatives, many of which have been developed in collaboration with education groups, authorities and teaching associations from across Australia.

Foundation programs include:

Financial Literacy Research
The Foundation commissioned research into the economic and social impacts of increasing financial literacy in the community, titled 'Improving financial literacy in Australia: benefits for the individual and the nation'.

Australian Financial Literacy Assessment
The Foundation commissioned Educational Assessment Australia, a leading educational group, to develop and deliver the Australian Financial Literacy Assessment (AFLA) for secondary students in Years 9 and 10 in 2005 and 2006. In 2008, AFLA will be delivered online as a Pre-learning and Post-learning Assessment. Click here for more information.

Financial Literacy Curriculum Resource
This fully mapped curriculum resource provides financial literacy materials to support the teaching of financial literacy in schools across Australia.

Financial Literacy Grants
Since 2004, the Commonwealth Bank Foundation Financial Literacy Grants are open each year to all secondary schools in Australia. The grants aim to help develop awareness, skill and understanding in financial literacy of students in Years 7 to 12. One hundred grants of $3,500 each are awarded each year. Applications open 21 July and close on 17 September 2008.

StartSmart
The Foundation has developed a wide range of forum and workshop options for 13 to 17 year olds including: StartSmart Workshops in rural and regional Australia; StartSmart Forums in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney; and StartSmart Schools Program in metropolitan locations. The Foundation will also offer StartSmart Teacher Development Workshops in Semester 2, 2008.

Indigenous Communities
The Foundation supports Indigenous education initiatives, particularly those with a focus on developing and improving the financial literacy skills of Indigenous Australians. Programs include ‘Manage your income, manage your life’ (with Caritas Australia), ‘Personal Finance and Consumer Assistance Training' (with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network) and the St Joseph's College Indigenous Scholarship Fund.

DollarsandSense
The Foundation’s DollarsandSense website offers information on money management for youth. The website has a dual audience of teachers and youth, who have differing needs. Teachers use the website as a resource to teach Financial Literacy while youth visit the website to learn about money management, using interactive tools with real life scenarios. Visit www.dollarsandsense.com.au

Other Financial Literacy Programs

National Youth Week
This year the Commonwealth Bank Foundation is the Principal Sponsor of National Youth Week, supporting the ShootIT category of the National Talent Competitions. Young people aged 12 – 25 are invited to create a two and half minute short film based on the theme ‘Lose the L plates when it comes to money’ to go into the running to win a professional cinematography pack. National Youth Week runs from 5-13 April 2008.

The Business of Teaching Conference
The Foundation is the Principal Sponsor of the national Business Educators Australasia (BEA) Conference to be held in Melbourne on 9-11 July. BEA is the peak association for teachers, trainers and educators of Business Education, and the conference brings together Business and Economics teachers from around Australia. As part of its sponsorship, the Foundation will support the registration of four teachers who are in the first five years of service.

eLearning Grants
The Foundation has had a strong history of supporting the financial literacy of young Australians. From 2002 to 2006, the Foundation contributed $1.75 million in e-Learning Grants to 350 Australian primary schools (please note these grants are no longer available).