First bike
A first bike or scooter is usually a family purchase, with a helmet and repairs on top.
SourceMoneySmart (ASIC)
Mountain View row · ages 12 to 21
A first bike or scooter is usually a family purchase, with a helmet and repairs on top.
Chores and gifts create the first income and the first choice between saving and spending.
Sport fees, uniforms and gear are often the first regular cost per child.
Games and apps bring in-app purchases and the first exposure to online scams.
Uniform, laptop, stationery and excursions often land in the same year.
Search these names on the department sites below. Links go to each department's home page.
Figures from published research for the age groups that cover 12–13. Sources often publish wider age groups, so the group shown is the one that includes these ages. They describe groups of people, not any one person. Checked 23 October 2026.
Calendar year 2025. Top two scam types by total loss among reports that included a loss. Unreported scams are not counted.
Survey, September 2024. Children aged 8 to 12.
2022. Share of people in the age group who provide informal care. About 11.9% of all Australians living in households (3.0 million) were carers.
2022. Share of people in the age group with disability. Overall 21.4% of Australians (5.5 million) had disability in 2022.
Dollar figures are in the dollars of the year shown. Average and median are not the same: the median is the middle value. Not financial advice.
Illustrative gross incomes: lower about $50,000, middle about $100,000, higher about $200,000 a year. For ages under 18, read these as household incomes. For retirement ages, read them as lower, middle and higher income and savings. They are examples, not official brackets.
Household budget is tight, so one club, a second-hand bike and hand-me-down uniforms are common. School and sport vouchers can cover part of the cost.
Room for one or two activities, a new bike and a phone plan paid by the family. Pocket money mostly goes on small treats.
Several activities, coaching, and a school with higher fees. Savings accounts or investments in a child's name may be opened early.