Media releases
Westpac launches Australia's First School of Money - the Davidson Institute
19 April 2011
Westpac has launched Australia’s First School of Money – the Davidson Institute, a complete educational resource of seminars, short courses, accredited courses and financial education and advice designed to help all Australians make more confident financial decisions.
The first financial institute of its kind in Australia, the Westpac-backed Davidson Institute makes financial literacy accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of experience,with resources including everything from nationally-recognised qualifications through to free local seminars and a comprehensive library of financial education hints, tips and tools. Davidson Institute is a place where it’s ok to learn from scratch or build on existing skills.
Westpac Group Executive Retail and Business Banking, Rob Coombe, said that the Davidson Institute was a significant breakthrough in helping everyone from individuals and businesses to community-sector organisations better understand their financial options and improve their financial decision making skills.
“I am very proud to launch the Davidson Institute – Australia’s First School of Money,” Mr Coombe said.
“The Davidson Institute demonstrates Westpac’s long-term commitment to offering practical financial education and advice to all Australians to help them achieve their financial goals.”
“Education is one of the fundamentals of building a prosperous future, and by accessing the Davidson Institute anyone has the chance to learn more about things like the fundamentals of managing money to financial planning, superannuation and business cash flow,” Mr Coombe said.
Since 2001 Westpac has provided financial education to more than 40,000 people, helping to improve the financial management skills of businesses and individuals across the country.
The Institute is named after Sir Alfred Davidson, a former head of the Bank of New South Wales during the Great Depression and a pioneer of the importance of sound financial education.
According to Davidson Institute CEO Sinclair Taylor, the driving force behind the creation of the Davidson Institute was an increase in demand for financial education following the Global Financial Crisis, and the need to simplify that access for individuals and businesses.
“We are providing a library of resources in a range of learning formats so that people are well positioned to make decisions about their finances in order to look after their future,” Mr Taylor said.
“The Davidson Institute website is packed with information about courses, seminars, financial facts and insights, is easy to navigate, and is constantly being updated.”
“The Davidson Institute is available to anyone who wants to improve their financial literacy and financial confidence.” Mr Taylor said.
Educational resources include:
Accredited Courses
Davidson Institute offers a range of nationally recognised qualifications at Certificate IV and Diploma level, across Finance, Business and Management streams. Qualifications may be completed online, or through a blend of online and face-to-face learning.
Davidson Institute qualifications are designed for individuals and employers.
Short Courses
Our interactive short courses cover a range of personal finance and business management concepts in an easy-to-follow, practical format. Courses cover personal and business financial management, business planning, human resources and international trade. Short courses are relevant to individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
Local Seminars
Supported by the local Westpac banking team, our free informal seminars provide bite-sized sessions of basic financial education for individuals and small businesses in many Westpac branches.
Education & Advice
A comprehensive library of free articles and resources across a wide range of topics including: cash flow management, business planning, human resources, international trade, market commentary, superannuation, retirement planning and the fundamentals of managing your money.