$15,000 up for grabs in Buy Smart competition

School students across Queensland again have the chance to show their smart shopping skills, and share in $15,000 in cash, with the launch of the Office of Fair Trading’s 2022 Buy Smart Competition.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the Buy Smart competition gives young people the chance to show off their creativity and understanding of their consumer rights. 

“This year marks the 21^st year of the competition which is open to students in years 4 to 12 and gives them the chance to win cash for themselves and their schools,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The longevity of the competition, and the fact student participation has grown and grown over those years, is a testament to how important students knowing their consumer rights has become.”

The Office of Fair Trading’s Buy Smart competition gives young people the opportunity to learn about a range of consumer issues such as refund rights, advertising, fixed pricing and online scams.

Minister Fentiman said young people were spending more time online than ever before and as a result can be exposed to targeted advertising and can also be subjected to online and phone scams.

“It is very important they develop consumer awareness skills as early as possible to help them recognise scams and navigate the traps and pitfalls that can come with online purchasing,” she said.

“Buy Smart can be a valuable resource for teachers too who can use the free lesson plans and classroom activities to integrate it into the current school curriculum.

“We don’t want the competition to be an added impost on teachers but rather one that can seamlessly provide students an opportunity to discuss and learn about consumer rights.”

Minister Fentiman said the competition is not restricted to schools.

“While Buy Smart is designed for school-aged students it is not limited to schools and I encourage community youth groups, homework clubs, and out of school hours care centres to consider getting involved,” she said.

“It can also be a great resource and fun activity for children who are home-schooled.”

In 2021, more than 7,000 students participated in the Buy Smart program and over 750 students from across the state entered the competition itself.

Entries included boardgames, dioramas, music videos, Instagram posts and animations.

Minister Fentiman said last year’s Fair Trading Commissioner’s School Champion prize was awarded to Mutdapilly State School based in the Scenic Rim.

“Mutdapilly State School is a small school of around 40 students and it was recognised as the 2021 Champion for the strong participation of their cohort of Year 4, 5 and 6 students,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The students used their coding skills to make interactive games exploring refund rights and the importance of saving.

“I look forward to seeing the diversity of ideas and creativity that young people bring to this year’s competition.”

The Buy Smart Competition is divided into three categories – Years 4 to 6, Years 7 to 9 and Years 10 to 12.  To enter, students choose a consumer issue that interests them, research it and then develop a creative project to share what they’ve learnt.

Students can enter individually or as a team and have until the end of Term 3 (16 September 2022), to submit their entry. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later in the year.

A total of over $15,000 in cash prizes is on offer with the following awarded in each category:

• First – $500 for the entrant/group and $2,000 for the school or organisation
• Second – $250 for the entrant/group and $1,000 for the school or organisation
• Third – $150 for the entrant/group and $500 for the school or organisation.

The judges may also award up to 10 $50 prizes for highly commended entries across all categories.

One school or club will also be awarded the Fair Trading Commissioner’s School Champion prize of $1,500. This prize recognises outstanding work supporting the importance of teaching consumer literacy to students.

For competition resources, details on how to enter the competition and information on how to book a presentation by Fair Trading officers visit www.qld.gov.au/buysmartcomp.

ENDS

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