2026 Perspectives

Bridging Industry and Education: A Practice-Based Model for Financial Literacy Delivery 

16 April 2026

Financial literacy continues to represent a critical capability gap within Australian secondary education, particularly in relation to applied understanding of credit, lending, and long-term financial decision-making. While theoretical frameworks are increasingly incorporated into curricula, there remains a disconnect between knowledge acquisition and real-world application.

Through my work in the credit reporting and mortgage broking sectors, I have observed the downstream implications of this gap, with individuals often engaging with complex financial products without the requisite practical understanding to do so effectively.

In response, I co-founded Financial Literacy Education Pty Ltd with Beth Comino, Global CEO of HAS (Home Affordability Solutions) and we have developed the FIT Solutions program, a practice-based model designed to integrate industry expertise within educational settings.

The program facilitates the delivery of structured financial literacy education to Year 10 students by trained finance and mortgage brokers, translating industry knowledge into accessible and contextually relevant learning experiences.

A defining feature of this model is the clear delineation between education and advice. This ensures regulatory compliance while maintaining the integrity of the learning environment, enabling students to engage with authentic, experience-informed content without exposure to personal financial direction.

From an industry perspective, this approach supports the repositioning of finance professionals as contributors to community education, extending their role beyond transactional engagement to one of early-stage financial capability development. From an educational standpoint, it introduces an applied learning framework that complements traditional teaching methodologies, supporting the development of financial confidence, critical thinking, and informed decision-making.

Initial program outcomes indicate strong engagement across both student and educator cohorts, alongside growing participation from industry professionals nationally. These early indicators suggest the model has broader applicability within the evolving education–industry interface.

As the complexity of financial systems continues to increase, there is a compelling case for more structured integration between industry practitioners and educational institutions.

Practice-based initiatives such as FIT Solutions demonstrate the potential of this collaboration to deliver meaningful, scalable outcomes that benefit both learners and the professions that serve them.

You can find out more via our website here: https://financialliteracy.com.au/

Victoria Coster | Fellow CESA victoria@creditfixsolutions.com.au

M: 0416 52 52 33

Victoria Coster FCES

CEO | Credit Repair Specialist | Credit Fix Solutions | Credit Fix Lawyers
Australian Credit Licence No: 531433 | AFCA Member # 82962 
victoria@creditfixsolutions.com.au

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