Everything adds up when it comes to the cost of sending children to school in Australia. From school fees and technology to uniforms, stationery, backpacks and lunchboxes, plus hidden expenses including excursions, transport and internet access, the cost in 2025 is set to equate to a whopping $13.6bn nationally, according to Finder.
The comparison site’s back-to-school report puts the average yearly cost of sending children to primary and secondary school at $2,671 and $5,043 respectively, with school fees, supplies and digital devices the biggest strain on the wallet.
And the Smith Family’s annual pulse survey found that 87% of respondents couldn’t cover essentials for the third year in a row. “We’re in a cost-of-living crisis, and vulnerable Australians are facing the pinch,” says the charity’’s Victoria general manager, Anton Leschen.
Here are some thrifty tips for tackling the start of the school year on a budget.
Stick to a budget
Set a budget and prioritise needs over wants, Leschen advises. Use the school’s book list, factor in the cost of uniforms, shoes, devices and school bags, and then weigh this against what you can realistically afford. Banks and government websites have handy budgeting tools, and you can use the process as an opportunity to teach financial literacy to children.
Spread the cost
Finder’s head of editorial, Sarah Megginson, who has three kids, encourages families to put money aside during the year to alleviate financial strain in January. “Even if all you can afford is $3 a week, by the end of the year that’s $150. Anything you can put aside is going to be helpful.”
You can also fold expenses into Christmas and birthday presents by giving school essentials such as backpacks and water bottles, especially if your child wants specific branded items. “As your kids get older, their tastes get more sophisticated,” Megginson says. “It’s killing two birds with one stone, and it takes a little bit of that pressure off.”
Older kids can save up their own contributions – I pay a base amount for sneakers, and my tween pays extra if he wants a more expensive model.
Shop your home
My child comes home at the end of the school year with a bag of empty exercise books and stationery that can be reused. Uniforms, backpacks and lunchboxes don’t need replacing every year.
Choice’s audience and engagement editor, Pru Engel, suggests involving children in the home inventory. “Kids are becoming more aware,” Engel says. “It is nice to be able to say that it’s better for the environment if we reuse things, and it can get them motivated to help make things more sustainable.”
Embrace secondhand
When it comes to school supplies, “everything doesn’t have to be brand new”, Leschen says. Secondhand uniforms are in plentiful supply – I managed to get through my child’s primary school years with one new uniform a year. Check your school’s uniform shop, local op shops, online marketplaces and Facebook groups.
Refurbished devices can be as good as new and are cheaper and more sustainable. Engel recommends buying from well-known sellers, taking out an extended warranty or checking your pre-existing insurance policies for coverage.
Shop around
Choice’s research shows that buying supplies from multiple retailers can save up to 30%. Most schools will have their own suppliers but Megginson urges families to try generic brands and low-cost stores that stock stationery, backpacks and uniform basics.
Officeworks has an online school list service with flexible payment options. It will price match and pack for free. When shopping around, Engel recommends paying close attention to unit prices and using comparison resources such as Choice.
Get sale-savvy
Time your big shops for the sales, Engel recommends, and ask for a discount or bundle deal, especially when buying accessories or multiple devices. Engel also suggests stocking up on stationery and non-perishable lunchbox food when it’s on sale, storage permitting.
For the disorganised (myself included), Leschen says “shopping late” can pay off, as many retailers have good deals at the end of January and, if you want to get ahead for next year, buy school supplies on clearance in February.
Talk to your school
“Some people are genuinely not sure how they’re going to pay for back-to-school costs,” Megginson says. “If you’re in that bucket, talk to your school because every school has different resources and programs available.”
Many schools offer assistance for financial hardship, helping with the cost of uniforms, fees and devices, and they may be able to give advice on scholarships, government grants and programs.
Megginson also recommends finding out about upcoming excursions and extracurricular expenses at the start of the year so you can plan ahead and ask the school for payment options.
Look for support
State governments have educational assistance programs. To find out what’s available, check Asic’s Moneysmart website, which also offers free financial counselling and budgeting resources.
Try your local MP or neighbourhood centre where there are sometimes grants, school supplies and groceries available. The Smith Family’s Learning for Life support program is school-referred – ask your school to find out if you’re eligible; and the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Saver Plus program matches educational savings up to $500. Megginson rates the National Debt Helpline’s free financial counselling and, if you’re struggling to pay for expensive items, check Good Shepherd’s information on no-interest loans.
Build and rely on community
“We all want to make sure that kids have access to what they need,” Megginson says. Building a community helps to share the load of back-to-school costs considerably.
Parents at my son’s school collect unused supplies that are then given to families and teachers during the year. Megginson suggests donating excess equipment or clothing to the school’s after-hours care. Leschen recommends buying items in bulk and sharing the cost with other families.
My community shoulders the load in other creative ways – including carpooling, swapping babysitting and homework assistance, and sharing seldom-used items such as printers, sports equipment, musical instruments and school camp items like sleeping bags.