AYB240 Superannuation and Retirement Planning


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AYB240
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Elisabeth Sinnewe | elisabeth.sinnewe@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this unit, you will explore the superannuation system, which is one of Australia's retirement policy pillars. You will also encounter other retirement considerations, such as estate planning and aged care provisions. Knowledge of superannuation is critical: while almost every adult in Australia has superannuation, the system is highly complex and heavily regulated. Many Australians nearing retirement will therefore seek advice from financial advisers, accountants, and other financial service providers. This unit links closely with AYB250 Personal Financial Planning, providing a pathway to careers in financial planning, superannuation advisory, and wealth management.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and synthesise financial data to prepare analysis for superannuation decision making. [HO 2.1]
  2. Exercise critical thinking, evaluation and judgement for problem solving in the context of superannuation decision making. [HO 2.1, 2.2]
  3. Communicate in written forms to clearly and professionally structure and present ideas, judgements and opinions. [PC 3.1]
  4. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks to superannuation issues. [KS 1.1, SE 5.1]

Content

You will start by understanding how Australia’s superannuation system fits within the broader retirement income policy and the laws and regulations that govern it. You will also examine how superannuation and retirement incomes policies have affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support culturally informed professional practice. Later in the semester, you will learn about the tax incentives for member contributions and retirement benefits. You will also gain an understanding of self-managed superannuation funds, estate planning, and aged care. 

 

Undergraduate Coursework AoLs

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

 

Learning Approaches

You will participate in active learning, applying concepts to practical scenarios. To get the most out of these sessions, you are expected to review learning materials before class and engage in discussions during class to reinforce your understanding. Throughout the unit, guest lectures from industry experts will provide real-world insights into estate planning and aged care. You will also explore structural issues in superannuation, including the impact of superannuation policies on the retirement adequacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment strategy in this unit is designed to help you achieve the learning outcomes for both discipline knowledge and broader undergraduate capabilities. Each assessment item is structured to:

  • Support your learning through formative activities that provide timely feedback as you build knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes; and
  • Enable you to demonstrate your achievement of these outcomes through summative tasks that assess your ability to apply concepts and integrate understanding in authentic contexts.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Superannuation Interview

You will conduct two 15-minute interviews with individuals at different life stages to explore their perspectives on superannuation and reflect on key insights. Your task is to submit an 800-word report in which you explain how you carried out the interviews and summarise the main insights.
 
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), SE (5.1)

Weight: 20
Length: 800-word report based on the two interviews
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4

Assessment: Superannuation Research Project

You will make an evidence-based recommendation about choosing an appropriate superannuation fund and superannuation investment option, research current systemic issues in superannuation, and prepare a professional submission for assessment.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)

Weight: 20
Length: 1,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3

Assessment: Final Exam

This exam will evaluate your comprehension of the semester’s content and your ability to critically analyse scenario-based questions, applying theoretical concepts to practical contexts.
 

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

This invigilated examination requires attendance on campus or at an assessment centre, regardless of your attendance mode for the unit.

This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), HO (2.2), SE (5.1)
Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Online Resources
Australian Master Superannuation Guide available through CCH Online, which can be accessed via the QUT Library.

Prescribed Reading
Other readings will be assigned each week and will be available through QUT Readings on the unit's Canvas site.

QUT has a guide for writing and presenting essays called QUT cite|write. This guide includes a suite of short pamphlets on essay writing techniques and a series of four guides on citing references correctly. Students may find this guide useful for the research project. To view and download selected guides and sections of QUT cite|write, go to www.citewrite.qut.edu.au

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO3, Superannuation Research Project

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam
  2. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam
  3. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Superannuation Research Project
  5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam

BS08 Bachelor of Business - International

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam
  2. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam
  3. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Superannuation Research Project, Final Exam
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Superannuation Research Project
  5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO4, Superannuation Interview, Final Exam