Financial Basics Foundation

20/04/2026

Are you between the ages of 15 and 24? We'd love to hear from you!
The Financial Basics Community Foundation is building a brand new tool to help young Australians manage their money and we need your help to get it right!

The following survey will only take 5 minutes. Your responses are anonymous and will help us create money tools and support resources for young Australians:

Are you between the ages of 15 and 24? We’d love to hear from you! The Financial Basics Community Foundation is building a brand new tool to help young Australians manage their money and we need your help to get it right!

20/03/2026

You finally buy your first car…then the bills start rolling in!
It’s not just the price tag. It’s fuel. Insurance. Rego. Servicing. Repairs.

Even 2025 F1 Academy driver knows that managing money off the track is just as important as performing on it.

So we hit the streets to ask young Aussies what surprised them the most about the costs of owning a car.

That’s why we created Cashed Up Boot Camp – First Car, a
free course to help you:
- Understand the real costs
- Avoid expensive mistakes
- Buy with confidence
- Stay in control of your money

Before you buy your first car… make sure you can actually afford to keep it!

Start the free course via the link in bio.

16/03/2026

Do young Aussies really know what it actually costs to own a car?

To kick off Global Money Week, we hit the streets with 2025 F1 Academy Driver to find out.

From depreciation and running costs to the hidden expenses no one talks about, the answers reveal there’s a lot more to car ownership than just the purchase price.

That’s why we created Financial Basics Boot Camp, a hub of FREE, self-enrolled courses helping young Australians build real-world money skills. The first course, Cashed Up Boot Camp – First Car, breaks down the real costs of owning a car and the key decisions to make before getting behind the wheel.

What’s something you wish you knew before buying your first car?

Start the course via the link in bio.

11/02/2026

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear how Year 9 maths teacher Ms Georgia Leaney uses ESSI Money to build her students’ financial confidence and real-world skills.

Click the link in bio to find out more about ESSI Money.

16/11/2025

Say hello to MoneyIQ Driving 🚗 💰✨
Our new animated series helping young Aussies navigate their first-car journey!
We’re launching the new series with a live webinar on Wednesday 19 November at 7:30pm(AEDT). Join us and our expert panel as they break down everything young people need to know before buying their first car.
Register now through the link in bio.

23/10/2025

On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of visiting Sacred Heart College in Hobart with Senator Richard Dowling to celebrate year 10 student, Jasper Woodrow, on his outstanding achievement as Tasmania's Suncorp Bank ESSI Money Challenge winner!

Senator Dowling reminded students that financial literacy isn’t just about numbers, it’s about confidence, choice and control. Highlighting that not knowing how to manage money can be just as dangerous as not knowing how to drive a car, because both can steer your life off course.
That’s why programs like ESSI Money powered by Suncorp Bank are so vital. ESSI Money gives students a safe space to learn how to budget, save, invest, avoid scams and make informed decisions without the real-world consequences.

Our CEO, Katrina Samios, also spoke with WIN News, emphasising the value of young people building confidence around managing their finances early, so they have the freedom and independence to shape the life they want.

With over 2,000 schools now engaging with our resources, we’re proud to be part of a movement that’s reshaping how financial literacy is taught across Australia.

To learn more head to the link in our bio.

20/10/2025

Boost your money management skills with the help of the Financial Basics Foundation's free tools and resources.

Visit: https://www.suncorpbank.com.au/about-us/partnerships/financial-basics-foundation.html

17/10/2025

A huge congratulations to Archie Sacristani from Donvale Christian College , our Suncorp Bank ESSI Money Challenge national winner (12–15 years)! 🏆

Archie has won $1,500 for himself and $1,000 for his school thanks to his top performance in our fun, interactive financial literacy game — ESSI Money!

His teacher Ms. Georgia Leaney says her students love learning about money through ESSI Money: “It’s an engaging, practical way for students to build real-world money skills — and they have so much fun doing it!”

Well done, Archie and Donvale Christian College!

Find out more about ESSI Money by checking out the link in our bio.

10/10/2025

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce that the Financial Basics Community Foundation (FBCF) has been awarded a $110,000 USD grant from MetLife Australia to launch the Financial Literacy Life Skills Resources Project. This initiative will support young Australians with low literacy and numeracy skills – empowering them with essential money management skills, building resilience, and boosting their confidence to make informed money decisions.

A heartfelt thank you to MetLife Foundation for championing inclusive economic mobility and supporting a future where every young person can thrive financially.

“This grant allows us to meet young people where they are and give them the tools to build a secure and independent future.” – Katrina Samios, CEO, Financial Basics Foundation

Learn more: https://financialbasics.org.au/metlife-foundation-grant/

24/09/2025

Our CEO, Katrina Samios, recently joined Anne Fuchs on the Super Insider podcast by Australian Retirement Trust to discuss the importance of financial literacy education for all young Australians.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/qMEfcwy_kYw?si=8C3GeZfzO5vMbGBn

Superpowers for the next generation = financial literacy 🚀

On our latest Super Insider episode, we are joined by Katrina Samios, CEO of Financial Basics Foundation to unpack how the Cashed Up Program is a free and interactive way of giving teens the skills to budget smarter and dream bigger.

The episode is now live! 🎧🎙️ https://brnw.ch/21wVTS5