Queensland students are encouraged to show their shop smarts by taking part in the 2021 Buy Smart campaign to raise awareness about consumer rights for young shoppers and win money for them and their school.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the Buy Smart campaign will see young Queenslanders put their sensible shopping skills to use in a creative and fun way.
The competition, now in its 20th year, offers Queensland students in Years 4 to 12 the chance to win cash for themselves and their school while learning about their consumer rights and responsibilities.
"The Office for Fair Trading's Buy Smart competition helps young people learn about their rights and responsibilities as a consumer by addressing a range of topics such as refund rights, advertising and scams," Ms Fentiman said.
"Young people have cash to spend and plenty of spending choices, especially in today's growing online shopping market, so it's important they develop their consumer awareness," Ms Fentiman said.
"Buy Smart activities are mapped to the school curriculum and the OFT makes free lesson plans and classroom activities available to teachers to assist them to include these important topics in their classes. Fair Trading can also provide class presentations on request.
"Part of this program is the Buy Smart Competition. This competition allows young Queenslanders to showcase what they have learnt about their consumer rights."
"The knowledge and skills the students take away with them after participating in this competition are things they will use for life."
In 2020, 845 students from across the state entered the Buy Smart Competition. The entries included comic books, boards games, rap songs and a Bachelorette-inspired video.
Local Member for Aspley Bart Mellish was at Aspley State High School to officially launch the campaign.
"Last year's winners Isaac and Daniel from Aspley State High School created a picture book to teach young children about how to avoid online scams," said Mr Mellish.
"Aspley SHS has been participating in Buy Smart for over ten years and have a strong reputation of delivering great creative ways to raise awareness on shopping scams."
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 (17 September 2021), to submit their entry. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later in the year.
A total of $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 prizes of $50 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.
