When I was in high school, unless you studied accounting as a subject, there were no financial literacy lessons – nothing on how taxes work, nor super, budgeting or responsibly managing money.

A lot has improved since then, but the challenge with different secondary school curriculums around the country is that some students are better off than others when it comes to financial literacy.

Financial adviser Dawn Thomas wants superannuation to be taught to secondary schools students.Credit: Trevor Collens

Dawn Thomas is a senior financial adviser at The Wealth Designers, a financial consultancy with offices in Perth and Sydney. She facilitates financial literacy sessions with secondary school students.

If it was up to her, Thomas would prioritise teaching students about superannuation.

“For example, when does superannuation get set up?” she says. The answer (for anyone wondering) is when someone turns 18 and gets their first job, or is under 18 and works more than 30 hours a week.

What happens if you don’t choose a fund? Answer: your employer chooses for you. “And that fund will then follow you unless you choose otherwise. This could........

© The Age