Media Coverage
The Educator Australia; January 31, 2025
In November 2024, a nationwide survey revealed that the cost-of-living was the top concern of young Australians, prompting renewed calls for greater financial supports for families. Unfortunately, this crisis looks set to continue deep into 2025, with new research from The Smith Family showing 90% of parents and carers supported by the children’s charity fearing they cannot afford essential school items this year.
Currently, more than 1.2 million Australian children live in poverty, exacerbating risks to academic achievement and long-term wellbeing.
A separate study by leading charity Good360 Australia, surveying 500 parents of school-aged children, found that 39% of parents struggle to afford essential education items, while 38% report greater difficulty affording school essentials this year compared to previous years.
Only 48% of families reported having reliable home internet for educational needs, with just 40% of students regularly accessing a laptop/computer for schoolwork.
Thirty per-cent of families highlighted digital tools (e.g., laptops, internet) as the top affordability challenge, surpassing uniforms (29%) and books/stationery (21%). A significant 43% of households cited digital tools as a major financial burden, rising to 50% for families with Upper Secondary students (16–18 years).
Read the full article over at The Educator Australia.
