Business Educators Australasia has launched Educate for Impact: Shaping Civic, Economic and Financial Futures, a national evidence-informed paper and call to action to strengthen Civics and Citizenship, and Economics and Business education in Years 7–10.
The paper highlights a clear challenge: Australian students do not have consistent, meaningful access to the dedicated civic, economic, business and financial learning they need during the compulsory years of schooling. Access can vary significantly between schools, sectors and jurisdictions, often shaped by local curriculum decisions, timetable structures, teacher availability, resourcing and school priorities.
These learning areas are not optional extras. They are essential to preparing young people to participate confidently in democracy, navigate the economy, make informed decisions, manage financial choices, recognise future study and career pathways, and contribute to their communities. The issue is not simply whether these learning areas appear in the curriculum, but whether they are delivered in ways that give every student genuine access to this essential learning.
The paper calls for a connected national reform agenda across seven priority areas:
- Curriculum design, sequencing and standards
- Teacher capability and workforce
- Equity, access and targeted support
- Student engagement, framing and careers
- Classroom resources and pedagogy
- Measurement, monitoring and evidence
- System governance, policy levers and scale-up
Business Educators Australasia and its affiliates are committed to working with governments, education systems, schools, universities, teacher associations and industry to support stronger curriculum access, teacher capability, practical resources and student pathways.