Parents slugged thousands of dollars in extra costs on top of tuition fees, study finds

Yes, school fees can be crippling, but they’re far from the only expense weighing on household budgets in the modern education era.

SCHOOL laptops, tutoring, music lessons and uniforms add up to thousands of dollars in extra costs and cripple the budgets of Queensland families, new research has found.

A recent study from Edstart found parents were being slugged up to 50 per cent extra on top of tuition fees, with many unprepared for the additional unforeseen expenses.

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Gold Coast father Brett Connell said the extra costs put a lot of pressure on the family budget, with the family recently having to fork out almost $2000 on a laptop for their eldest daughter Matilda, 12.

He estimates as much as 20 per cent of their household income is spent on school expenses for Matilda and younger daughter Anika, 10, each year, but said he sees it as worth the investment.

“We knew there would be extra costs and things which were required by the school they attend, some have still caught us by surprise,” he said.

“And I’m expecting, as the kids get older, there to be more costs related to things such as excursions and interstate trips.”

Brett Connell says getting the best possible education for daughters Matilda, and Anika, 10, is a priority, despite the rising costs. Picture: Adam Head

Education finance business Edstart found the average family spent $1758 on technology, $1501 on domestic excursions, $1053 on extra-curricular activities and $731 on uniforms, on top of tuition fees each year.

But the biggest expense was tutoring, at an average of $5690 per family, followed by overseas trips at $4638.

Mr Connell said while his family had not forked out for extra tutoring so far, they would be willing to pay extra down the track.

“For us education is a priority, and we absolutely would like our girls to participate in extra-curricular activities – whether they may be sport, theatrical or academic,” he said.

“Extra things do put pressure on the family budget, but we try and communicate well with the school and be as prepared for them as we can.”

Edstart chief executive Jack Stevens said the study found those with lower school fees tended to allocate higher amounts to extra tutoring, and that technology costs was a growing and often hidden cost of schooling.

“I do not think many realise the magnitude of their additional spending,” he said.

“The danger is these extras are often unplanned, ad-hoc and can easily cripple a family budget.

“Awareness is vital to avoid an education budget blow out – no one wants a last-minute, costly surprise.”