Lloyd Edge, a former schoolteacher turned property tycoon, is urgently calling for reform in Australia's education system to include essential lessons in financial literacy, investing, and real estate. Drawing on his two decades of experience as both an educator and a successful property investor, Edge believes that young Australians are not being equipped with the necessary skills to manage their finances or build a secure financial future.
"For far too long, we've been teaching kids what to think instead of how to think, especially when it comes to money and investing," says Edge. "The reality is, most students graduate without any practical understanding of how to manage money, let alone how to save enough for a deposit to get onto the property ladder. The basics aren't being taught—how to save, how to buy a home, and how to invest in your future."
Edge's updated book, Positively Geared 2e, serves as a guide for all Australians, showing that with as little as $50,000, anyone can start investing in property. However, the issue goes deeper—many young people don't even know how to save that amount, let alone how to navigate the property market. Edge believes the education system must evolve to address these gaps and give the next generation the tools they need for financial success.
Top 5 Things Lloyd Edge Believes Should Be Implemented in Schools Immediately:
Basic Money Management Skills – Students should learn how to budget, manage personal finances, and save effectively. Understanding concepts like income, expenses, debt, and savings should be fundamental to every child's education, starting in primary school. Lloyd touches on this in Chapter 3 of his book, where he explains how to create a solid financial foundation by managing money wisely.
How to Buy a Home and Rent – Every student should understand the basics of the property market, including how to rent, save for a deposit, and the practical steps involved in buying their first home. This would empower young people to make informed decisions about real estate and home ownership. Lloyd highlights this in Chapter 6, where he provides insights on navigating the property market for first-time buyers.
Introduction to Investing – Real estate investment and other forms of investment, like shares and bonds, should be introduced early. Students should be taught how investments work, the importance of risk management, and how to create wealth through strategic investments. This is a key theme in Chapter 8, where Lloyd outlines how young investors can start building wealth through property.
Financial Goal Setting and Planning – Schools should teach students how to set financial goals and create plans to achieve them. This could include saving for a deposit, planning for long-term wealth, and understanding compound interest and the time value of money. Lloyd touches on this in Chapter 5, discussing how to set and achieve realistic financial goals through strategic planning.
Understanding Interest Rates and Economic Cycles – Young Australians need to learn about how interest rates affect their ability to borrow money and make decisions around mortgages, loans, and investments. This would provide students with a critical understanding of the financial forces at play in their lives. In Chapter 7, Lloyd explains how interest rates impact property investment and how to manage loans effectively.
Shocking Facts About Australia's Current Financial Literacy Crisis:
36% of Australian adults are financially illiterate, with a significant gender disparity—women consistently score lower than men in financial literacy tests. This lack of basic knowledge extends to savings, investing, and property ownership.
The median house price in Australia now exceeds $900,000, making home ownership unattainable for many Australians. As property prices rise and interest rates fluctuate, the need for financial education has never been more urgent.
Only 1% of Australians own nearly a quarter of all property investments, underscoring the concentration of wealth and the barriers to entry for the average Australian.
Only 2.29 million Australians were property investors in 2021-2022, down from a peak of 2.39 million, reflecting a trend where fewer people are able to break into the property market. This highlights the need for better financial education to empower more Australians to participate in property investment.
Lloyd's passion for education is at the heart of everything he does, both as a property expert and a mentor. "I became a teacher because I wanted to empower others," he says. "I've never stopped educating. I'm on a mission to show Australians that building wealth is possible. The information is out there; we just need to ensure it's being taught to young people so they can take control of their financial futures."
Edge's mission goes beyond just publishing books—he speaks regularly at schools, offers free advice via his podcast, and contributes to the media, all to empower others with the knowledge needed to succeed. But he believes systemic change is required. "We need to integrate financial literacy into the curriculum. Without it, we're setting up our young people for failure," Edge insists.
The growing property crisis and the alarming statistics around financial illiteracy underline the urgency of Edge's call for education reform. As property prices continue to climb and interest rates fluctuate, it's clear that young Australians need to be equipped with the practical financial skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.
It's time to overhaul Australia's education system and put financial literacy at the forefront, equipping young Australians with the skills they need to invest, save, and thrive. Edge's call to action is a step towards empowering future generations, ensuring they are not left behind in a world where financial independence and property ownership should be accessible to all.
Key Facts:
36% of Australian adults are financially illiterate, with a significant gender disparity—women consistently score lower than men in financial literacy tests. This lack of basic knowledge extends to savings, investing, and property ownership.
The median house price in Australia now exceeds $900,000, making home ownership unattainable for many Australians. As property prices rise and interest rates fluctuate, the need for financial education has never been more urgent.
Only 1% of Australians own nearly a quarter of all property investments, underscoring the concentration of wealth and the barriers to entry for the average Australian.
Only 2.29 million Australians were property investors in 2021-2022, down from a peak of 2.39 million, reflecting a trend where fewer people are able to break into the property market. This highlights the need for better financial education to empower more Australians to participate in property investment.
About us:
About Lloyd Edge
Lloyd Edge is a passionate property investor who has achieved financial independence through strategic property investing. He is the author of two bestselling books, Positively Geared and Buy Now. Positively Geared has been the number one bestselling book in property across Australia since 2021.
In over 20 years as a property investor and developer, Lloyd has accumulated a property portfolio worth over $25 million that is cash flow positive. A former teacher, Lloyd's investment strategies allowed him to retire from the rat race and pay off his own waterfront home in Sydney. He now helps clients achieve their own financial and lifestyle goals while continuing to invest himself. He has a diverse range of investment strategies and places importance on achieving equity gains and maintaining a cash flow positive portfolio, quintessential to portfolio growth.
Lloyd has been interviewed multiple times on top rating radio stations 2GB, 3AW, 6PR and has had regular segments on Geelong's Bay FM Property Guide, Triple M and Edge 96.1. He has also appeared on Channel 7, 9 and 10 as well as on Sky News and SBS. Lloyd currently has a regular column in Australian Property Investor Magazine and The Property Tribune.
Lloyd holds a Diploma in Property Services, is a fully licensed real estate agent and holds buyer's agent licences in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and WA. Lloyd was awarded 2024 REINSW Buyers Agent of the Year, and is a nomiated finalist for the REB Buyers Agent of the Year 2025 and CEO of the Year with CEO Magazine. He has also received 'Your Investment Property' Top Buyer's Agent award.
In 2022 Aus Property Professionals was announced Property Investment Strategists of the Year at the Australian Enterprise Awards. Aus Property Professionals has also been a finalist in the REINSW and REB awards for buyer's agency of the year on a number of occasions.
