South East Queensland families put under pressure as school uniform costs spiral

Queensland parents are forking out thousands of dollars a year to dress their children for school. SEE WHAT SCHOOLS ARE CHARGING

Queensland parents are forking out thousands of dollars a year to dress their children for school, including eye watering costs like $275 compulsory blazers and $128 fedoras.

While average parent will spend a minimum of $260 on a primary school student’s uniform, for those with several children and those requiring several uniforms, the costs spiral.

The production and shipping costs of uniforms have increased since the pandemic, putting further pressure on families.

According to Brisbane Grammar School’s website, the minimum outlay for uniforms, textbooks and stationery per child for a year will cost between $1000 and $1200.

At Nudgee College, a senior uniform set of blazer, trousers, shirt, hat, pullover and tie will cost $503.

However, based on Nudgee’s “recommended” number of compulsory items for day students it would cost a minimum of $700 per child. That does not include sporting apparel like rugby jerseys ($92), basketball shorts ($55) and rowing zooties ($92).

At All Hallows’ School, a single, compulsory uniform set of blazer, blouse, skirt, tie and hat will set parents back more than $362.

At St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, Year 10-12 blazers cost $275 with a full senior uniform set of a blazer, hat, trousers, pullover, shirt, tie and compulsory garters to cost $554.

Nudge College, St Peters Lutheran College and All Hallows’ School uniforms.

For St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, a uniform set of a blazer, hat and dress costs $445.

At co-ed schools like St Peters Lutheran College, a boy’s uniform set will cost nearly $500 and slightly less for girls.

At Mansfield State High School, which has a cohort of more than 3000 students, a boy’s uniform set of a blazer, pullover, trousers, shirt and a hat costs $335. For girls it’s $310.

At most private schools, none compulsory items like school bags ($60), sporting wear and scarfs set parents back further.

P&Cs Qld chief executive Scott Wiseman said uniforms prices had increased over the past few years on the back of production costs and shipping constraints.

Mr Wiseman said the flow on effect was higher prices for families already struggling with the cost of living.

“In P&C run uniform shops, many operate as a customer service rather than a fundraiser and as such keep profit margins slim just to cover costs, which makes it as cost effective as possible for families,” Mr Wiseman said.

Mr Wiseman said parents could seek assistance through guidance councillors, chaplains or through P&Cs, which may have second hand uniforms available.

He said a key element to the organisation was to provide support for the school community.

“P&Cs across Queensland raise between $46m-$86m annually to support all students and give them the best experience in education,” he said.

“This extends to supporting families on the cost of uniforms, lunches, resources, music equipment and more.”

According to research from comparison website Finder, school uniforms cost $268 for primary school students and $303 for secondary students each year. Textbooks cost $128 and $250 respectively, while school shoes cost an average of $110 per year for all students.

Finder’s research found that for costs like tuition fees, camps, excursions, transport and sporting gear, parents were shelling out $3621 per primary school child per year and $6957 on secondary students.

Finder’s money expert Bessie Hassan encouraged parents to buy uniforms second hand to nab a bargain.

The mother-of-two said parents could also opt to buy a size or two up so the child gets plenty of wear out of the item.

“When it comes to things that might easily be lost such as lunch boxes and water bottles, opt for budget-friendly brands,” Ms Hassan said.

“There’s no point in buying something fancy if you’re going to have to replace it six months later.”

BUDGET GUIDE FOR PARENTS

*Ask your child’s uniform shop about second-hand uniforms for sale

* Browse Facebook and buy swap and sell groups

* Consider buying uniforms slightly larger for growing kids, buttons and extra elastic can be easily added and removed

* Check out discount stores for more basic items, such as plain polo T-shirts, if school allows