Charity groups are ringing the alarm bell over the spike in young families burdened by the cost of getting their kids back to school.
Shadow Minister for Education, Sarah Henderson, said the Albanese government’s failure to address the cost-of-living crisis was leaving too many Australian families unable to afford basic school supplies, uniforms or digital devices.
“Under Labor, education costs have risen an alarming 11 per cent and parents are being forced to make impossible choices,” Senator Henderson said.
On Friday, Senator Henderson visited the Les Twentyman Foundation’s Back to School program in Footscray, Melbourne which is supporting hundreds of children in need with textbooks, stationery, scientific calculators and refurbished laptops.
Year 7 student Indiana received a new laptop which will be life changing. Her mother Tamara said, “It’s helped a lot … Everything’s just getting so expensive now, it’s just hard to live.”
Les Twentyman Foundation CEO Paul Burke said: “The cost of living crisis is hitting hard … it’s probably hitting those in the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne a little bit harder than it may be elsewhere. … It’s the hardest hit families that we’re helping … some families can find the cost of school books and laptops and calculators quite crushing, we relieve that pressure.”
Last year, Les Twentyman Foundation supported 778 students – a 40 per cent increase on the previous year. Even more demand is expected in 2025.
For back-to-school and other costs including tuition fees, parents are being forced to pay on average $5,043 for secondary school students and $2,671 for primary school students, with almost one in three parents unable to afford back-to-school expenses.
The Smith Family’s recent Pulse survey also paints a grim picture, with 87 per cent of parents worried about affording back-to-school costs.
The findings reveal more than half of parents fear their children will miss out on essential digital devices, and nearly 60 per cent said 2024 was harder than ever to cover school costs due to skyrocketing everyday expenses like groceries, rent, and petrol.
“Education is a fundamental right; yet under Labor, it is becoming increasingly out of reach for many Australian families,” Senator Henderson said.
“Children cannot reach their best potential if they cannot access the basics to succeed in the classroom.
“Only a Coalition government will fight cost-of-living pressures, build a stronger economy and get Australia back on track,” Senator Henderson said.
Sarah with Year 7 student, Indiana, receiving her new laptop
Sarah visiting the Les Twentyman Foundation’s Back to School program in Footscray, Melbourne