Four teachers from across Australia have been recognised for their work in building students’ financial literacy, with the winners of the 2026 Financial Literacy in Action awards announced this week.
Presented by Talk Money with Ecstra Foundation, the awards celebrate educators delivering practical, classroom-based approaches to money education that support students’ financial capability and decision-making skills. Each winner receives $2,500 for their school.
The 2026 award recipients are:
- Carolyn Maroske, Narangba Valley State School, QLD (Kindergarten to Year 6)
- Margaret Kroeger, Northside Montessori School, NSW (Years 7 and 8)
- Doris Yu, Salisbury High School, SA (Years 9 and 10)
- Charlie Jeong, Newstead College, TAS (Years 11 and 12)
Ecstra Foundation CEO Ms Caroline Stewart said the awards highlight the important role teachers play in developing financial capability at key stages of students’ lives.
“Introducing financial literacy in the classroom is critical for lifelong financial wellbeing. The awards celebrate educators bringing financial education to life in ways that are practical, engaging and relevant,” she said.
The announcement coincides with Global Money Week, an international initiative coordinated by the OECD to raise awareness of the importance of financial education for young people.
Real-world learning in action
Each of the winning programs demonstrates how financial education can be embedded into classroom learning through practical, real-life applications.
At Narangba Valley State School, Ms Carolyn Maroske developed a program where Year 5 students earned, managed and spent money through simulated real-world scenarios. The approach helps students understand financial consequences, planning and decision-making.
Ms Margaret Kroeger’s work at Northside Montessori School saw Years 7 and 8 students design and present enterprise ideas, applying concepts including budgeting, pricing, loans, interest and profit, alongside broader financial responsibility.
At Salisbury High School, Ms Doris Yu supported Year 10 students to create a “Job Ready Portfolio”, incorporating a resume, payslip analysis and budgeting activities focused on needs versus wants, as well as developing understanding of tax and superannuation.
Meanwhile, Mr Charlie Jeong at Newstead College delivered a “Money Skills for Life” program for senior students, covering budgeting, banking, credit and superannuation. Students also compared banking options, including fees and interest, to build knowledge for financial independence.
“These initiatives show what effective financial education looks like in practice,” Ms Stewart said. “They connect classroom learning with students’ real-life financial decisions, building skills they can carry beyond their school years.”
Growing demand for financial education
The awards come amid growing recognition of the importance of financial literacy in schools.
According to the latest Talk Money Impact Report, students who participate in financial education programs show measurable improvements in financial capability, including increased confidence managing money, stronger goal-setting behaviours and a greater ability to talk about finances.
Teachers are also reporting strong demand for practical financial education, with many identifying the need for more resources and support to deliver real-world learning experiences.
Ecstra Foundation said schools and classroom lessons play a central role in building these skills over time, ensuring students are better equipped to navigate financial decisions throughout their lives.
