Media Coverage
Ragtrader; February 7, 2025
Over a third of parents across Australia are concerned they can’t afford school essentials for their kids this year compared to other years, with 29 per cent saying they may not be able to afford school uniforms or shoes.
The new research was conducted by leading charity Good360 Australia of 500 parents of school-aged children.
Digital tools such as laptops and reliable internet access are the most significant affordability issue for families (30 per cent), followed closely by uniforms and school shoes, and the cost of books, stationery and backpacks at 21 per cent.
Access to digital tools comes out on top, with 43 percent of families reporting that digital tools have become a major burden, and parents of Upper Secondary students (16–18 years old) more likely to be burdened by the increasing cost of these digital tools (50 per cent).
For many, these challenges mean sacrificing other essential household items, with more than 1 in 5 families (22 per cent) reporting they have had to forgo other necessities to cover education essentials. Nearly 1 in 8 parents (12 per cent) have turned to credit cards or loans to pay for essential education items.
Read the full article over at Ragtrader.
