The Queensland Government has opened entries for the 2026 Buy Smart competition, offering $15,000 in cash prizes to students and schools while aiming to strengthen financial literacy and consumer awareness among young Queenslanders.
Run by the Office of Fair Trading, the competition is open to students in Years 4 to 12 across state and private schools. Entries close on 18 September 2026, with winners to be announced at Parliament House later in the year.
The program invites students to explore everyday consumer issues through creative projects, from budgeting and unit pricing to online shopping and scam awareness. Schools and teachers are supported with classroom resources, including new materials aligned with the updated Australian Curriculum.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington launched the competition at Coolnwynpin State School in Capalaba, a school that has participated in Buy Smart activities since 2019. She said the program reflects the way young people encounter money and purchasing decisions at an earlier age than previous generations.
“The way we use money has changed dramatically over the years, with children growing up around online shopping and contactless payments,” Ms Frecklington said. “Buy Smart gives kids the tools they need to understand how money works, what their rights are when shopping, and how to spot a scam.”
The government says thousands of students take part in the program each year, with entries coming from metropolitan, regional and remote parts of the state. Last year’s participation stretched from Townsville to the Gold Coast and west to Boulia.
Local member for Capalaba Russell Field said the competition encourages students to think about consumer issues in a practical and engaging way. He pointed to the long-running involvement of Coolnwynpin State School, where more than a thousand students have taken part in Office of Fair Trading presentations over recent years.
“Budgeting and saving are important parts of life, and you’re never too young to start learning about them,” Mr Field said. He added that understanding everyday decisions, such as comparing prices or making a major purchase, can help build confidence as students grow older.
Coolnwynpin State School principal Wayne Fletcher said Buy Smart fits with the school’s broader approach of working with families and community groups to prepare students for real-world challenges. He said the program offers practical lessons that students can apply immediately, as well as later in life.
“Through Buy Smart, students learn how to manage money, understand advertising and recognise scams,” Mr Fletcher said. “Those are skills that help protect them and their families now and into the future.”
While programs like Buy Smart are widely supported, some education experts note that financial literacy outcomes depend on how consistently such resources are used in classrooms and how they connect with learning at home. The government maintains the competition format helps keep students engaged while reinforcing core consumer principles.
The Buy Smart competition is open to individual students or groups of up to four. Full details and entry information are available through the Office of Fair Trading.
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