We believe money shouldn't be mysterious
Back in early 2021, three mates sat around a kitchen table in Queanbeyan, frustrated. Not at the economy or banks—but at how impossible it felt to talk about money without drowning in jargon.
We'd all watched friends make expensive mistakes. Payday loans that spiraled. Credit cards that became traps. Super accounts sitting untouched because nobody explained what they actually do.
So we started oltheravio. Not as financial advisors—we're educators. Our job is making the confusing bits clear.
What we're actually doing here
Most financial education feels like it's designed for people who already understand finance. That's backwards.
We start where people actually are. Worried about rent. Confused by tax time. Wondering if they'll ever afford a house. Those real questions—not theoretical investment strategies—are our starting point.
Our workshops run in community centers around Canberra and the South Coast. We work with local councils, libraries, and neighborhood groups. Places where people already gather, not intimidating office buildings.
And here's what we don't do: we don't sell financial products. We're not getting kickbacks from banks or super funds. Our funding comes from education grants and course fees—that's it.
Plain language always
If we can't explain something without jargon, we haven't understood it well enough ourselves.
Real situations
Every example comes from actual questions we've heard. No made-up scenarios about people who don't exist.
No shame zone
Money mistakes happen. We've all made them. Learning means being honest about what you don't know yet.
Regional focus
Sydney financial advice doesn't always work in Batemans Bay. We understand the actual costs and options people face here.
How our programs work
We've built our courses around what actually helps people retain information and build confidence—not what looks good on paper.
Small group sessions
Maximum 15 people. You can ask questions without feeling self-conscious. Everyone learns better when they can actually participate.
Hands-on practice
You'll work with your own numbers. Set up a real budget. Compare actual insurance policies. Calculate your tax situation. Learning by doing, basically.
Follow-up support
After the course ends, you get access to monthly drop-in sessions. Bring questions when they come up in real life, not just during scheduled classes.
Who's behind this project
We're a team of eight now. Mix of former teachers, accountants, and community workers. What we share is frustration with how financial education usually happens—and a belief that it can be genuinely useful instead.
Lachlan handles curriculum development. He spent years teaching high school commerce and got tired of watching graduates leave school without understanding payslips. Petra comes from community services—she knows what questions people actually have when they're stressed about money.
Our workshop facilitators have backgrounds in adult education and finance, but more importantly, they're good at listening. Financial situations are personal. Cookie-cutter advice doesn't help anyone.
We partner with the Financial Counselling Australia network for complex situations. When someone needs debt advice or hardship support, we connect them with the right professionals. Knowing when to refer someone is just as important as the teaching itself.
No sales pressure
We educate. That's it. No product recommendations, no affiliate links hidden in the materials.
Accessible pricing
Sliding scale fees based on actual capacity to pay. If cost is a barrier, talk to us.
Evidence-based methods
Our curriculum draws from behavioral economics research and adult learning principles that actually work.
Community accountability
We publish participant feedback publicly. You can read what previous attendees actually thought.
See if our approach fits your needs
Our next intake for foundation courses starts in August 2025. Sessions run evenings and weekends to fit around work schedules. Have a look at what we cover, or get in touch with questions.