Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

The 5 skills Australians wish they had been taught in school

Posted:
News
School kid_GettyImages_1800x1000

Australians wish they were taught more about money in school, according to new research by Finder.

A nationally representative survey of 1,013 respondents revealed almost half of Australians (46%) wished they'd learnt how to invest during their time at school, while 44% wish they'd learnt how to manage their money.

Almost 1 in 3 (32%) thought lessons on how to start a business would have been valuable.

The research found just 30% of Aussies don't have regrets about what they'd been taught in school.

Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said many Australians feel financially unprepared for the real world.

"Many people have to learn financial lessons the hard way and that can be a very expensive way to learn.

"Millions wish they'd learnt things at school which could have put them one step ahead when it came to their future.

"That might be as simple as learning how to budget and manage their money, but maybe that knowledge about how to invest or start a business could have kickstarted their wealth creation sooner or changed their career path."

The research shows 1 in 5 (21%) say classroom lessons on how to get a job would have helped them later in life.

A further 20% of adults wish they'd been taught to code.

Interestingly, women craved the early exposure more than men, with 37% of women wishing they'd learnt how to start a business at school, compared to 27% of men. Almost 1 in 2 (49%) women wished they'd learnt how to invest as a young person, compared to 42% of men.

Pike said it was never too late to figure out your finances and focus on financial success.

"Money management apps like the Finder app are a clever way to keep track of your income and expenses.

"Seeing your spending broken down by category can help you set a realistic budget and manage your bills."

A whopping 83% of millennials wish they'd had financial education before adulthood, compared to only 47% of baby boomers.

Do you wish you had learnt any of the following in high school?
How to invest46%
How to manage your money44%
How to start a business32%
How to get a job21%
How to code20%
None of the above30%
Source: Finder survey of 1,013 respondents, December 2021

Want to learn how to manage your money? Download the Finder app now.

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site