1. Consumer Stuff Challenge Information for Students Year 8 Economics 2012

2.  Competition run by the Humanities Faculty of Lilydale High School  Students from all Year 8 Humanities classes create an ‘Information Product’ on a consumer issue

3.  You can learn about how to help other young people learn more about their rights when it comes to buying and selling goods and services.  You can work on your own or in a small group. 2 Students per group.  You can win prizes!

4. Individual There will be prizes for individual entries Team There will be prizes for team entries Judges can make highly commended awards at their discretion.

5.  Step 1: Choose a consumer or financial topic that interests you and other young consumers. Tip: The Consumer Affairs Victoria website has lots of information to inspire you.  www.consumeraffairs.vic.gov.au www.consumeraffairs.vic.gov.au  Step 2: Find out as much as you can about the topic. Below is a list of possible topics and websites to help you get started.  Step 3: Consider: who needs this information? Think about your audience.  what do people need to know about this topic?  Step 4: Decide what you want to say. What is the most important information?  Step 5: How will you present this information?

6.  Possible sub-topics: ◦ What is mobile phone debt and why should I avoid it? What is bankruptcy? ◦ How to avoid big charges on your phone ◦ Prepaid or plan/contract mobile? ◦ What is a cap and are they a good idea? ◦ Do I need a phone? ◦ Understanding mobile phone terms (the fine print) ◦ Do I need a fancy/iPhone type phone? What is the difference between prepaid and contract/plan/post-paid phones? ◦ What are mobile phone caps? ◦ If I’ve signed a contract, what are the consequences? ◦ What questions should I be asking if I go into a mobile phone shop? ◦ Choice website Australian Consumers Association website Choosing and buying telecommunications equipment - Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman website Handles small business and residential complaints about telephone or Internet services Choice website Choosing and buying telecommunications equipment - Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman website ◦ www.phonechoice.com.au www.phonechoice.com.au ◦ www.toolkit.acma.gov.au www.toolkit.acma.gov.au

7.  SCAMwatch website Australian Competition and Consumer Commission scams website Scams - Consumer Affairs Victoria website Victoria’s consumer protection agencySCAMwatch website Scams - Consumer Affairs Victoria website

8.  Buying a used car - Consumer Affairs Victoria website Victoria’s consumer protection agency Choice website Australian Consumers Association website Buying or repairing a car - VACC website Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce Buying and selling - VicRoads website Victorian statutory authority that plans, develops and manages the state’s arterial road network and delivers registration and licensing services.Buying a used car - Consumer Affairs Victoria website Choice website Buying or repairing a car - VACC website Buying and selling - VicRoads website

9.  Go for your life website Government campaign to encourage Victorians to exercise Go for 2&5 website Government campaign to encourage Victorians to eat more fruit and vegetables Quit Victoria website Organisation to help people stop smoking Better Health Channel website Victorian Government resource to help individuals and their communities improve wellbeing Go for your life website Go for 2&5 website Quit Victoria website Better Health Channel website

10.  Guarantees, warranties and refunds - Consumer Affairs Victoria Victoria’s consumer protection agency Make a complaint - Consumer Affairs Victoria website Victoria’s consumer protection agency Making a complaint - ACCC website Australian Competition and Consumer Commission; an Australian Government organisation that promotes competition and fair trade to benefit consumers, business and the community Australian Consumer Law website Information about the Australian Consumer Law and its enforcement, and consumer policy in AustraliaGuarantees, warranties and refunds - Consumer Affairs Victoria Make a complaint - Consumer Affairs Victoria website Making a complaint - ACCC website Australian Consumer Law website

11.  Green Power Australian Government accreditation program for renewable energy Energy Rating Australian Government guide to choosing an energy-efficient appliance Green Power Energy Rating

12.  Guarantees, warranties and refunds - Consumer Affairs Victoria Victoria’s consumer protection agency Guarantees, warranties and refunds - Consumer Affairs Victoria

13.  Food Standards Australia New Zealand website Government agency that develops and administers requirements for foods, such as additives, food safety, labelling and genetically-modified foodsFood Standards Australia New Zealand website

14.  Managing money MoneyHelp website Financial information for Victorians experiencing difficulty paying their rent or mortgage, or facing job loss Youth credit and debt Managing money MoneyHelp website Financial information for Victorians experiencing difficulty paying their rent or mortgage, or facing job lossMoneyHelp website

17. Criteria Sheet All submissions must be your own original work