Students, show us what $mart $hoppers you are and win big $$$

Queensland’s young consumers can demonstrate what savvy shoppers they are by taking part in the Office of Fair Trading’s annual Buy Smart Competition.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath officially launched the 2020 competition today (14 February) at Wavell State High School. 

The competition is open to students in Years 4 to 12, with more than $15,000 in prizes to be won.

“The Buy Smart Competition is a great opportunity for students to learn about their consumer rights and become savvy shoppers,” Mrs D’Ath said. 

“Today’s consumer marketplace can be a minefield of confusing terms and conditions, scams and consumer guarantees.

“The sooner young Queenslanders learn how to manage their money, spot a scam and understand the consequences of consumer decisions, the better.

“We’re encouraging students, teachers and schools across Queensland to get involved in the Buy Smart Competition.

“Their entry can be about any consumer rights topic, providing a creative and fun platform to learn about consumer affairs.

“By taking part contestants will be developing valuable skills which will stay with them for life.”

Last year Fair Trading officers spoke to more than 11,000 students across the state as part of the Buy Smart program and over 1,000 students contributed to entries in the Buy Smart Competition.

Some of the more creative entries included a podcast, a big gold pyramid covered in advice on how to avoid scams, three dolls houses, an original music clip and a karaoke video.

Schools and other youth-focussed organisations can book a presentation by Fair Trading officers for their students, get competition resources and find details on how to enter at www.qld.gov.au/buysmartcomp

Students can enter individually or as a team and have until Friday, 18 September 2020 to submit their entry. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Parliament House in Term 4.  

Cash prizes are up for grabs from a total prize pool of more than $15,000 across three categories (school years 4–6, years 7–9, and years 10–12) and the Commissioner’s School Champion award:

The Buy Smart website (www.qld.gov.au/buysmartcomp) lists a range of handy tips on how to get started, criteria and prizes, including examples of past winning entries to help inspire entrants with their submissions.

Fair Trading officers will be visiting schools across the state over the coming months to give presentations on a range of consumer topics including budgeting, consumer rights and avoiding scams.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008