Finance for All

Empowering people through financial capability, inclusion, and education

Fiance for All is a strategic education initiative advancing financial capability and economic empowerment across Australia and beyond

Our mission is simple: If people are expected to make financial decisions throughout their lives, they should be given the knowledge and confidence to do so.

Dr Natalie Oh, School of Banking and Finance

Finance for All reframes financial education as a tool for empowerment — helping individuals and communities build the confidence to navigate increasingly complex financial systems and make informed decisions about their futures.

Because financial capability should be accessible to everyone.

Finance for All is a strategic education initiative designed to make financial literacy accessible, practical, and scalable. What began as a response to student financial stress at UNSW has evolved into a growing ecosystem of programs across universities, communities, schools, and international education settings.

Finance for All exists to make financial literacy accessible, practical, and scalable, empowering people across UNSW, community settings, and international contexts to make informed financial decisions with confidence.

"Reflecting on my work in 2025, while I was grateful to receive awards at the faculty, university, and national levels, my most meaningful achievement has been advancing financial literacy. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside inspiring colleagues and industry partners, and to contribute to learning journeys that prepare students for meaningful impact beyond the classroom. Thank you to everyone who has supported and collaborated with me along the way."

Dr Natalie Oh, UNSW School of Banking and Finance

UNSW 2025 Teaching Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning

Engagement Australia Excellence Award 2025 - Highly Recommended for Outstanding Engagement in Student Learning

Our Impact Areas

UNSW
Community
International

Building financial capability within higher education

Finance for All began at UNSW after identifying a major gap in students’ financial confidence and wellbeing. Research conducted in partnership with UNSW Arc across multiple faculties revealed that financial stress was affecting students’ studies, wellbeing, and future planning.

Today, the initiative delivers scalable financial education across the university through:

cross-faculty programs
embedded curriculum
gateway and widening participation initiatives
staff and student workshops
partnerships across Medicine & Health, Optometry, Arc, Nura Gili, CapitalW, and CoNX (PVCE-SE) program, FOUNDERS, Business EDI, UNOVA, Business ADI

Programs such as Designing Your Financial Future and Finance for Her help students develop practical financial decision-making skills through interactive, real-world learning experiences.

Key Focus Areas

Student financial wellbeing
Financial confidence and empowerment
Gender equity in financial literacy
Early intervention and transition support
Inclusive and accessible financial education

Expanding financial inclusion beyond the university

Finance for All extends beyond UNSW through partnerships with councils, schools, and community organisations to support groups often excluded from traditional financial education.

Working alongside local governments and community partners, the initiative delivers practical financial capability programs for:

migrant communities
women experiencing financial disadvantage
young people transitioning into employment
low socioeconomic and at-risk groups

Community partnerships include:

Camden Council
Canterbury-Bankstown Council
Parramatta initiatives
Georges River Council

The workshops are designed to be approachable, interactive, and inclusive — ensuring participants can engage confidently regardless of their prior financial knowledge or mathematical background.

Community Impact

Increased financial confidence
Improved financial literacy and planning
Stronger community engagement
Greater access to financial capability education

Scaling financial education globally

Finance for All has expanded internationally through partnerships with educational institutions across diverse global contexts.

In 2025, the model was successfully adapted and delivered in Cambodia through collaborations with:

Life International School
Life University

The initiative demonstrated that the same core framework could be applied across primary, secondary, and tertiary education settings while remaining culturally adaptable and locally relevant.

Future collaborations are currently being explored with:

University of Nairobi (Kenya)
Jakarta International University (Indonesia)

The long-term vision is to build a globally connected ecosystem of educators, institutions, and communities advancing financial capability and economic participation worldwide.

Global Vision

Scalable education models
Cross-cultural financial capability
Inclusive economic participation
Sustainable international partnerships

"I’ve worked with vulnerable communities—particularly women, young, and minority groups—across local council areas, and delivered financial literacy workshops in Cambodia for primary, high school, and university students under the banner of 'Finance for All' initiative" - and this is only just the beginning!"

Dr Natalie Oh, School of Banking and Finance

Why Finance for All Matters

Financial literacy is not just about budgeting or saving. It is connected to:

wellbeing
confidence
opportunity
independence
long-term economic participation

Finance for All continues to grow through collaboration, evidence-based education, and community partnerships — creating pathways for financial empowerment across UNSW, local communities, and international settings.

Related to the United Nation's (UN) Sustainabile Development Goals (SDGs)

Because financial capability should be accessible to everyone

Check out these event videos!

Your First Million: Modelling your Investments

Imagine graduating and suddenly receiving a $1 million windfall—what would you do next?

This workshop invited current UNSW Students to explore this question through the lens of financial modelling; a practical, hands-on session that equipped participants with the tools to evaluate investment options, assess risks, and make confident financial decisions.

Finance for Her: In Partnership with Capital W

Did you know? According to recent HILDA data, the gap in financial literacy between males and females is actually largest among people with tertiary qualifications.

In partnership with Capital W, Natalie hosted an event designed to boost financial literacy and empower women to take charge of their financial futures!