About The ESSI Money Challenge

The ESSI Money Challenge is a national financial literacy competition based on the ESSI Money game. It is separate from the standard version of ESSI Money, which remains available for students and teachers to use all year round.

The ESSI Money Challenge is taking a break in 2026 while we prepare for the launch of ESSI Money Champions in 2027.

ESSI Money Champions

ESSI Money Champions will be a refreshed, year-long version of the competition, giving schools more flexibility to take part across the school year. It will include cash prizes and more opportunities for students to build their financial literacy skills through ESSI Money. It will also feature a more streamlined entry process.

In the new ESSI Money Champions competition, students will be able to: 

• Compete against students from across Australia.
• Take part over a longer competition period, rather than a single two-week window.
• Use ESSI Money to develop practical money skills in a fun, interactive environment.
• Be eligible for cash prizes.
• Represent their school in a national financial literacy competition

More information about ESSI Money Champions, including key dates, eligibility, competition structure and prize details, will be shared closer to launch. 

You must be an Educator Member of the Financial Basics Foundation to register a class for ESSI Money competitions.

Can I still use ESSI Money?

Yes. The standard version of ESSI Money remains available all year round.

Teachers can continue to use ESSI Money at any time as a free financial literacy resource for students, even though the national competition is not running this year.