Mind the Gap - Tax for teens

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Mi​nd the Gap?

Mind the Gap is an online resource and course of study for Australian teenagers entering the workforce. It explores the Australian tax system and an employee’s obligations under the system. Our purpose at Mind the Gap is to ease the transition of Australian youth into the working world!

Do you offer Workshops?

Yes, we offer workshops at your school/facility in Sydney or Melbourne (for other locations, call 0430 230 942). 

We have workshops and seminars with tactile puzzles and group challenges on three main topics: 

  1. Jobs and the work place (Employment types, super, leave and loadings, minimum wages, protecting yourself, etc).
  2. The tax system (TFNs, tax returns, record keeping, being safe and prudent, etc). 
  3. Personal Finances (budgeting, banking, insurances). 

More information: www.mtgacademy.com.au 

What’s included in the course?

MTG constitutes eleven units, each comprising of a 1-5 minute animation and a graded quiz, all accessed from any internet-connected computer or tablet. By the end of the course the student’s grade is finalised and a certificate of completion is produced for each participant.

What does the content cover?

MTG contains eleven core taxation units. The units cover the foundational tax structures and jargon that the average teenager is confronted with when accepting his/her first job, and allows him/her to act prudently in tax affairs once in the working world. They are listed below:

  1. What is Tax?
  2. ​What is the Australian Tax Office?
  3. What is a financial year?
  4. What is a tax file number?
  5. What is Withholding Tax?
  6. What is a PAYG Payment Summary?
  7. What is a tax deduction?
  8. What is a tax return?
  9. What is a tax agent?
  10. What is a tax assessment?
  11. How can I stay organised?

This year, our new units: 

  1. What is Part-time, full-time, casual, and ABN Work?
  2. What is superannuation, and how can I protect it? 
  3. What are Modern Awards, and where can I get help with my minimum conditions? 

How does it work?

The student’s progression through the site is dependent only on the student’s pace and his/her computer system. All material is available upon log-in. The student can watch and re-watch the animated tutorials (1-5 minutes in length) and then complete the questionnaire to test his/her learning. The units build on one another, and the student can re-attempt any unit to maximise results.
Upon completion, the student is graded with a result and a certificate of completion is generated.

How long does it take to complete?

Each student is different. The course can be completed in between 3 and 5 hours. 

The course is easy to break down into bite-sized pieces that fit into short periods throughout the school day or at home. Each of Mind the Gap’s units contain one animation (1-5 minutes in length) and one quiz (usually ten questions, taking ten or more minutes). Access to the material is granted for a year; any part of the course can be accessed and returned to at any time during that period. 

How much does Mind the Gap cost?

For the general public, the full course is available for $15.00.

We offer significant discounts for large groups. 

In which Australian states and territories is Mind the Gap available?

Mind the Gap (online) is available nation-wide across Australia. The content addresses the federal tax system; all content is relevant for all states and territories. The content is available online anywhere, any time.

Mind the Gap (workshops) are available in major cities, and may be available outside major cities. Contact Mind the Gap for more information. 

Is all your content appropriate for the school environment?

Absolutely. The content contains animations with characters interacting in a comedic fashion, but does not refer to or use any form of violence or aggression, religious references, inappropriate language, sexuality or any other potentially offensive material. If you are a school representative with concerns about the material, contact the Mind the Gap office and we will be glad to help.

What about privacy and cyber safety? What personal information do you ask for, and what do you do with it?

Mind the Gap takes privacy and cyber-safety very seriously, particularly within the school environment.

Each participant can choose his/her own username and password at sign-up. The only information we require during sign-up is an email address, and in some instances the name of the school facilitating; we do not require physical addresses, phone numbers or any other identifying or personal information. As there is no communication between accounts, the site cannot be used as a social forum or mode of communication. It therefore cannot be used as a medium for bullying or other cyber un-safe activities such as meeting unknown people.

Any information entered into our site during sign-up or at any other time is used only for our administration and is not shared with or sold to any other party. Your cyber safety, and the cyber safety of your students is of the utmost importance to us, and is never a matter of compromise. For more information, see our privacy policy, or contact Mind the Gap.

 

How does Mind the Gap fit into the curriculum?

Mind the Gap addresses the following descriptors of the curriculum by year and learning area:

  • Economics and Business:
    • Year 8:
      • The rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in Australia(ACHEK029)
    • Year 9:
      • Why and how people manage financial risks and rewards in the current Australian and global financial landscape (ACHEK040)
      • The roles and responsibilities of participants in the changing Australian or global workplace (ACHEK042)
    • Year 10:
  • Work Studies
    • Year 9
      • Identify the importance of rights and responsibilities for employers and workers (ACWSCL019)
      • Investigate a wide range of occupations, and the skills and personal qualities required in these fields (ACWSCL006)
    • Year 10
      • Explain the range of skills and attributes necessary to work effectively in the 21stcentury (ACWSCL025)

 

Mind the Gap addresses the following specific aims of the National Curriculum:

  • Economics and Business:
    • Development of enterprising behaviours contributing to the prosperity of the individual.
    • Reasoning and interpretation to make informed decisions.
    • Understandings that will allow participation as financially and business-literate citizens.
  • Work Studies
    • Knowledge of the world of work and the importance of lifelong learning.
    • Capacities to manage careers, change and transitions in an uncertain and changing future.
    • Skills and resilience to meet the demands of their present and future learning and work.

Who prepares the Mind the Gap content?

Meet the Mind the Gap team!

  • Mind the Gap is the brainchild of Tyler Jenkins, an Australian actor and business graduate with vocational experience in youth programs in Australia and abroad. 
  • Mei-Ling Luu has her Masters in Commerce from Curtin University. As a Perth-based banker with respected financial acumen she has been essential to the program since she began collaborating with Mind the Gap.

 

Is Mind the Gap only available to schools?

No, Mind the Gap (online) is open to the general public, as well as to any school or institution. Depending on the number of participants in the course, we may be able to offer discounted pricing for large groups.

Is there any minimum or maximum age?

No. The course is aimed at teens and young adults in Australia, but we believe that almost anyone can benefit from the program. 

School groups in years 10-12 are perfect for the course. 

What will Mind the Gap allow me to do?

By the conclusion of the course the participant will...

  1. Know what to do, when to do it, how to do it and how to avoid mistakes (in regards to money, tax and employment).
  2. Understand essential tax/employment/money structures, concepts, and jargon. 
  3. Know where to go for further help. 

See our topics for more information! 

Disclaimer:
Mind the Gap is not designed to produce tax experts.
Mind the Gap and its content is general in nature. Each participant is responsible for his or her own tax and financial conduct.