Tax 101 explores the reasons tax is collected and examines how governments use tax to provide services needed by the community, and the role of the ATO. Choose a topic to investigate or use the breadcrumbs to return to the course overview page.
The materials in Tax 101 have been designed to be used in a variety of ways. Each topic is designed as a stand-alone section to be explored by a whole class, small groups or individual students. Information about alignment to the curriculum is via the Curriculum links block on the home page.
PDF versions of the Tax 101 course module are now available on the downloads page.
In 1910, the Commonwealth Government introduced a land tax to provide for more defence spending and to prepare for the increase in migration. The land tax was chosen to encourage large-scale land owners to subdivide their land and sell it to small-scale settlers.
A medium to long-term investment issued by governments and companies that pay the holder a regular and fixed interest rate for the term of the investment.
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Take the Pre-test: How much do I know about tax? quiz first to find out how much you already know about tax and then start this activity to discover some of the underlying issues relating to tax.
Different types of taxes affect taxpayers in different ways. Work out the difference between progressive, proportional and regressive taxes and test your understanding of these three tax types.
Different levels of government provide a wide range of goods and services. Discover what these goods and services are, and explore your own community to see what kinds of things the government provides.
The annual Budget shows how tax revenue is collected and how it will be spent. Explore issues concerning the Budget. Investigate how pressures on the Budget can impact on the type and amount of taxes that are levied.
Taxes have changed and evolved over time. Discover the changes made in the Australian tax system and explore the reasons taxes change.