$300 for a blazer: Outrageous uniform costs for 100 Queensland schools exposed

Queensland public school parents are forking out nearly as much for school uniforms as private parents, with costs for ‘compulsory’ outfits topping $700. SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL COMPARES

Parents of students in public and Catholic schools are paying just as much as those in the private sector.

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Queensland public and Catholic school parents are paying just as much for uniforms, textbooks and devices as their private school counterparts.

An analysis of 100 Queensland schools has revealed the extraordinary cost of a child’s education. Basic items such as a Year 12 blazer costs up to $300 at some schools, while some parents are paying $35 for a Prep polo shirt.

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Experts are concerned that some families might be priced out of many school items, especially amid the current cost of living crisis.

University of Southern Queensland education expert Dr Tania Leach said it cost about $500 a year to purchase basic items for a single child, but that could rise to several thousands of dollars depending on the school.

Dr Leach, a former principal and mother-of-four, said the cost of uniforms, sporting equipment, musical instruments, transport, and school camps continued to increase.

“We provide a free education system but it’s really not,” Dr Leach said.

“A couple hundred dollars on a uniform, plus more for swimming gear, caps, hats, it might seem like little things but they all add up.”

It comes in the wake of a Futurity Investment Group report which estimated Brisbane parents would fork out $80,419 for one child’s 13 years of education.

The report estimated it would cost $193,235 for those in the Catholic system and $262,531 for those in the private system.

At inner-city school Brigidine College, the items listed as compulsory total $766 a child, fees including $250 blazers and $91 laptop bags. Lourdes Hill College at Hawthorne has similar prices.

At Padua College at Kedron, parents pay $300 for a senior school blazer with “special fits”, $67 for pullovers, $57 for trousers and $50 for house shirts.

Similarly at Catholic girls’ school Stuartholme School at Toowong it costs $93 for a day dress with parents recommended to purchase three.

Stuartholme also charges $89 for hats, $230 for blazers while backpacks are between $85-$110.

At Kelvin Grove State College blazers cost $185, $75 pullovers, $55 trousers and $62 hats, Calamvale Community College blazers cost from $199-$207, $65 dress and $51 trousers.

Some schools like Kedron State High School which charges $77 for dresses, $41 for trousers, $38 hats and $117 blazers, and Mitchelton State High School which charges $120 blazers and $45 trousers, are more affordable.

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

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

Dr Leach said the rising cost of uniforms had forced families to turn to cheaper alternatives, but warned that the cost often equated to quality.

She said parents also faced extra costs as technology become more common in schools, with some requiring students to purchase, laptops, tablets or expensive calculators.

Dr Leach said students were also “encouraged” to partake in more extra-curricular activities including sport or music, adding to the financial strain.

“The biggest cost increase we have seen is the technology requirements. For example if you’re taking specialist maths you need a TI Napire calculators, however there are still additional cost for other subjects like art, where you will need to purchase art blocks, and more expensive drawing equipment,” she said.

“We have certainly moved away from students just bringing a pencil case and a Kent set.”

A survey by The Smith Family revealed thousands of families were concerned their children could miss out on digital devices, uniforms, shoes and school supplies.

Rebekah Gook, pictured with her children Victoria, 8, Harriet, 5, and Charlotte, 11, relies on second-hand uniforms or hand-me-downs for Wilston State School. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Smith Family chief executive Doug Taylor said many were struggling to afford the back-to-school basics amid a cost of living crisis.

About 30 per cent of the 2000 people surveyed said their children were likely to miss out on uniforms or school shoes.

“We all want our children to have everything they need to make the most of their education,” Mr Taylor said.

“But children who experience disadvantage are at risk of missing out on vital resources and support for their learning, whether that’s having the right uniform to feel a sense of belonging at school or the tools they need to complete their schoolwork.”

Brisbane mum Rebekah Gook said her daughters Charlotte, 11, Victoria, 8, and Harriet, 5, rely on second-hand uniforms or hand-me-downs for Wilston State School.

Mrs Gook said buying quality school shoes was one of the more expensive costs.