Where NSW school uniforms are most expensive revealed

Exclusive analysis of public school uniform retailers across Sydney has revealed who is paying top dollar. See the full list of schools.

Parents of tall, broad-statured and overweight kids are paying a hefty levy on their school uniforms, with a number of retailers charging inflated prices for larger outfits.

The Daily Telegraph’s analysis of 50 public primary and secondary schools across the greater Sydney area found 20 of the schools’ official uniform providers were charging a ‘fat tax’ on their plus size range, including both small independent stockists and larger retailers such as Pickles Schoolwear and Lowes.

The most extreme price gap was at Casula Public School, where provider Moorebank Uniforms & Embroidery charged $54.99 for a size 4 summer dress but scaled the price up to $98.99 for the largest size 24.

Students at schools clothed by menswear company Lowes also need to pay more for bigger uniforms, including those at Camden High School where shorts, hoodies and polo shirts all vary in price by size. Children above a size 16 begin paying as much as $12 more for a wool pullover.

Pickles, another major schoolwear retailer, also adds a fee for big kids. Clovelly Public School girls above a size 8 and boys above a size 10 will pay $1 or $2 more for their summer sets respectively.

All suppliers charging more for their larger sizes were contacted for comment.

At Wyong Public School, where the P&C operates the uniform shop with a very small profit margin, a spokesperson said the shop has little choice but to pass on the extra cost charged by their supplier in order to cater to larger students.

A Casula Public School summer dress steadily creeps up in price after size 8, to $56.99, then $68.99, $78.99 for a size 20 and eventually $98.99 for the largest size 24.

“We try and order in bulk to keep our prices low for our kids. Anywhere that’s privately run will have different mark-ups as a result,” the spokesperson said.

“We do get some bigger kids, so we want to make sure that they can fit in and feel comfortable.”

Tram Nguyen from Caringbah’s Claudine Schoolwear also defended the higher cost, and said her business already absorbs some of the manufacturing expense.

“The reason we charge more is because our standard size is up to 16, any size bigger than that we have to order special – the material costs twice as much from our supplier,” she said.

Pickles Schoolwear charges slightly more for bigger sizes in some product lines, including boys shorts for Clovelly Public School.

However, parents like mum of three Ayla Hinekiteao say it’s not fair their larger children are “singled” out because of their size, especially when most general clothing retailers charge a standard price.

Her son Leo, of Cook Island Maori background, has attended both Catholic and public high schools and has paid more for his uniforms compared to his smaller statured peers at both.

“(The price of) school uniforms are a joke,” Ms Hinekiteao said.

“As a bigger boy it is hard to accommodate for (his) size, but it also means more money to pay for bigger sized uniforms.

“I understand they need more material to use for bigger sizes but to be singled out because of this is a joke.”

The Telegraph’s analysis also revealed girls are paying more on average for their school uniforms than boys. The average cost of a summer uniform for boys, comprising a shirt, shorts, and hat for primary aged students, was $70.10. A girl’s summer uniform however – either a dress, or shirt and skort – cost an average of $74.40.

For some schools the difference in price is far more stark. At Campbelltown Public School, girls pay up to $11.10 more if they want to wear a dress, or $5.60 if they opt for a shirt and skorts. It’s a similar story at Hoxton Park High School, where a blouse and skirt combo from Lowes sets parents back a whopping $105.90, but even the largest boys’ set costs $28 less.