Reference no: EM132334742
Apply Economic Principles to Work in the Financial Services Industry
Section A - Assessment Information
Task Instructions
This assessment is designed for you to apply an understanding of economic principles to the operation of the Australian economy.
Students will gain an awareness and understanding of economic principles necessary to interpret economic events, apply economic principles to your work, and appreciate the impact of economics on their lives.
The research will enhance the students understanding of the operation of the $2.6 Trillion Australian Superannuation industry.
Students must demonstrate through the performance in the Assessment Tasks that they have all the required skills and knowledge as specified in the unit of competency (course) they are studying.
Instructions on submitting your project/portfolio/report
Copy details from the Assessor version of this task
This assessment is competency based and a CAG (competent) must be achieved for this assessment. The assessment will be graded (once competency is achieved) according to the grading policy for assessments those being, CAG (competent), CC (credit), CDI (Distinction) or CHD (High distinction).
Your teacher will discuss the assessment matrix for each assessment with the class at the beginning of the semester and prior to the assessment taking place.
Statement of Purpose:
To be deemed competent in thisassessment, all of the competency criteria (all as detailed in this document) must be met by both the business report and the in-class presentation by each team.
Please refer to the detailed Case Study Assessment document which specifies the requirements.
Submission Instructions
You must:
• Complete the assessment and
• submit by uploading on Canvas.
Portfolio Activity 4
Fundamentals of the Australian Economy
Your employer requires a Trade & Economic Fact Sheet/Report of the Australian Economy. Prepare a table including $ amounts.
Identify the sources of each of these figures. Note you should be using official Government based sites.
Information to include:
TYPE OF ECONOMY
POPULATION
CURRENCY
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT PER CAPITA
WORKFORCE NUMBERS AND UNEMPLOYMENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH
FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT/SURPLUS
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PUBLIC DEBT
INFLATION RATE
VALUE OF EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES
MAJOR GOODS AND SERVICES EXPORTS
MAJOR IMPORTS
MAIN TRADING PARTNERS
AUSTRALIA'S MAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT DESTINATIONS
AUSTRALIA'S MAIN MERCHANDISE IMPORT SOURCES
Portfolio Activity 5:
a. What was Australia's GDP for 2018-2019?
b. What was the Economic Growth rate during this period?
c. Complete the Calculation of nominal GDP and Real GDP Self-Test Exercise 6.1 on page 174 of the text. Show all your workings.
d. Complete the Activity on the Human Development Index on page 176 of the text.
Choose Unemployment and check the figures for Seasonally Adjusted.
e. How many Australians are:
Employed, unemployed and what happened with the participation rate during March 2019.
Inflation
f. What was the 2019 March quarter rise in the CPI?
g. What was the annual rate of inflation in 2019?
h. What were the main factors contributing to the change in this period?
i. Using the inflation calculator calculate the value of $100 (the ave wage) compared to today. Print screen your result. Which amount would you be better off with?
Portfolio Activity 6:
a. Total Federal Budget revenue receipts for 2019-2019
b. The six main sources of revenue
c. Total Federal Government Outlays/Expenses for 2019-2019
d. The six main areas of outlays/expenses
e. The expected budget outcome (deficit or surplus)
f. How will the changes in the Budget impact on super?
g. Describe changes in interest rates since March 2008.
h. Outline factors that explained the movement in interest rates during the period 2008-2019.
i. How will these figures impact on super?
Portfolio Activity 7:
Free Trade
Under the current administration, the USA has done a U-turn and is pursuing a more Protectionist line with trade relationships.
Give 3 arguments for and against 3 Protectionism versus Free Trade. (400 word limit)
Portfolio Activity 8:
Balance of Payments & Exchange Rates
a. Complete the Exchange rate activity on page 292 of the text.
b. What is the Trade Weighted Index and why is it a better measure of the purchasing power of the $A?
c. Complete question 14 on page 317 highlighting the diminishing importance of the USA economy and the increasing importance of the Chinese economy.
Use a table to outline your findings.
Portfolio Activity 9: Economic Theory
a. Contrast the approach of the Neo-Classical School of Economics with the Keynesian model. What would their responses be to the Global Financial Crisis?
b. Research and table the effect of the GFC in Australia compared to today.
Include the impacts on unemployment, inflation, Economic Growth, Interest Rates, Budget Deficit, $A.
Portfolio Activity 10:
Superannuation Regulation
a. Your employer wants to know how the Australian financial system is regulated. (Council of financial Regulators).
b. Who are the regulators for the Superannuation Industry?
c. Who represents the interests of superannuation funds?
Case study: Crystal boosts her super by salary sacrificing
d. With reference to the regression modelling explain why don't people salary sacrifice more into super under the following headings:
-knowledge
-competing demands for long term savings (eg exemption of owner-occupier housing from the capital gains tax and from the Age Pension assets test
-Australian superannuation system provides a mandatory saving mechanism to ensure that all employees have at least some savings for retirement. Many may see the mandatory employer contribution rate under the Superannuation Guarantee as ‘de facto' advice and believe that they are already saving enough.
e. Explain the purpose of the Basel Accords.
f. Explain the role of the Credit ratings Agencies
g. By referring to either S&P and Moody's if a country has a sovereign credit rating Aa1 which credit ratings agency provided this rating?
h. Discuss the effect of Australia having its credit rating downgraded from AAA to Aa1. What factors could contribute to this.
i. By referring to the link above explain the reason for APRA's desire for the major banks to strengthen their capital requirements.
Attachment:- Assessment Student Guide Portfolio.rar