It is such a huge expense to get the kids kitted up for back to school. I feel for the 4% of children who will have to go without. To fork out $5,000 for laptops, books, uniform etc. is a huge burden for parents who are struggling with cost of living as it is.

I have 6 children (4 currently at school) and it really is a massive cost for school supplies every year. We get by with reusing a lot of the supplies from the year before and uniform hand me downs as they all go to the same school. We are also at a state school which helps a lot.

We only have one child so it doesn’t affect us as much, but for families with multiple children, I can see how it would be a really big struggle to pay for things. The cost of living is getting out of control, and the effects lead into depression and stress for the parents so that is also not good

Its time we started taxing large corporations and mining companies. So many paid no tax last year, it is appalling.

Wonder when the cost of living will stop rising

The struggle is real, especially for larger families such as mine. School fees, uniforms supplies and books. Crazy expensive!

As a parent of 4 kids, a hubby and all the while supporting them all on a part time wage I understand the struggle. We end up buying the books and going without in other areas. Takes a long time to get them paid off.

It’s so hard especially for families already doing it tough. Visit your local op shops or marketplace for uniforms. For those in dire needs, talk to your school chaplain. Often they have school supplies donated.

The cost of living is affecting everyone these days. My kids go to Catholic school so while we pay a lot in fees, lots of the extra things, including excursions are included. I go to the school and ask if they have any old uniforms that my kids could have before I buy new ones, that often saves me a bit of money.

My daughter attends a Catholic primary school so our books and stationery are included in the school fees so the only thing we need to get are uniforms and they aren’t too bad. We have been lucky with being able to secure some second hand uniforms (everyone needs to join their schools buy swap and sell fb page) so that has reduced costs significantly

The cost of sending your child to even a public school is getting so out of hand. They want them to have laptops and 6 books for every subject plus all the correct uniforms. Private schools are even worse.

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  • • mom486197 replied
    • 12 Aug 2024 , 2:47 pm

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  I agree and then there are the incursions and excursions as well that you have to pay for throughout the year.

It’s hardly surprising with the cost of living…

Not looking forward to our little ones starting school because of this. I’ll be taking the advise of the wise mums on here and looking to get uniforms and such cheap in the year leading up to starting

I am avid shopper on the School Marketplace on Facebook – secondhand uniforms if in good condition saves a tonne of money! Get shopping a couple of years before your child starts school & you can have at least the first couple of years sorted.

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  • • mom160270 replied
    • 13 Jul 2024 , 7:34 pm

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  This is a good tip. Also some schools have second hand uniforms. I would always donate my daughter’s uniforms back to the school if they were in good condition.

I am an avid watcher of our local second hand uniform forums on facebook. This has helped us keep uniform costs down immensely and meant we can focus on buying new a few key items such as pants and shoes. I am finding you get what you pay for in shoes and buying a good quality pair can last the year vs a cheap pair lasting a term at best. I am also starting to buy stationary through the year ready for next year to help as well. Putting a little money away each pay helps take the sting out of new school year costs.

Uniforms are what hurt us the most but its one we just have to cop

Uniforms at my child’s school are incredibly expensive. More so than the regular clothes we purchase. They need to be more affordable.

It’s getting harder and harder to afford the increasing prices on everything…

I went to school in the 70s and 80s and my parents struggled with sc hool items then. I remember mum knitting my primary school uniform, pants, skirt, shirts and all

Yep, the cost of living is real for real people. Those with money will never know the struggle for those without it. There used to be govt supplied school essentials years ago, has that stopped?