Rising number of Victorians needing help from charities to buy school supplies for their kids

Victorians are increasingly turning to charities like the Salvation Army to get help providing their kids with back-to-school supplies.

A rising number of Victorian families are turning to charities to ease the pressure of back to school expenses, as the cost of living crisis continues to take its toll. Photo Shirley Way

A rising number of Victorian families are turning to charities to ease the pressure of back to school expenses, as the cost of living crisis continues to take its toll.

Foundations including the Salvation Army and Smith Family have reported an uptick in demand for their services, as parents scramble to find affordable uniforms, stationery and books ahead of January 29.

The need for financial support for school expenses comes as the Futurity Investment Group’s Cost of Education Index released earlier this week revealed parents were spending up to $144k to send their child to a public school over a 13-year period.

The report found parents were sacrificing family holidays, have stopped purchasing non-essential items and were working more to ensure their kids have all they need to start the school year.

The Smith Family has observed families who weren’t previously struggling are finding it harder to make ends meet. Picture: Justin Brierty

Meanwhile the Smith Family has observed families who weren’t previously struggling are finding it harder to make ends meet.

“Nine out of 10 parents supported by The Smith Family are worried they won’t be able to

afford all the school items their children need this year,” Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor said.

“While the cost-of-living crisis is universal in its impact, the effects aren’t felt equally. The

crisis has pushed families who were already struggling — and even those who weren’t

previously — closer to the brink, with digital devices, uniforms, and school excursions among

the essentials many can no longer afford.”

Families living in the local government areas Dandenong, Geelong, Brimbank, Epping, Morwell, Broadmeadows, Ballarat and Werribee are seeking the most support from the Smith Family.

About 14,900 students in Victoria alone have been supported by the charity’s Learning for Life program in the last year – double the number of students who required assistance in 2016.

The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program helps students experiencing disadvantage to succeed at school, complete year 12 and go on to work, training or further studies.

Students can access financial support, mentoring and advice through the program throughout their school journey.

Single mum of four Cindy Eldridge receives support from the Smith Family to help prepare her kids for the school year, but with rising rent and fuel costs alongside a recent job loss, she said it was “bloody hard” at the moment.

“It brings you down. Sometimes I’ve gotta pick between am I getting my son’s school uniform this week or am I going to eat properly this week?” she said.

“It’s hard trying to differ between the kids’ needs. One day I actually had to go to food banks just so the kids could have what they needed for school.”

State Schools Relief has reported a significant increase in demand for their services, particularly from secondary school students. Picture: Supplied

Ms Eldridge said it was particularly challenging to equip her two high school aged children with everything they needed as they moved through their final years.

“With primary school it’s good, you pay your set fee and everything’s supplied. With high school, with having the book lists and then the uniforms and of course the kids growing up, getting bigger and needing more,” she said.

Ms Eldridge said the cost of living has impacted her ability to do even simple family activities like having a BBQ in the park.

“Back when my oldest was going to school it was a lot easier, there was a lot more support through the schools,” she said.

“I think am I going to be able to do a simple thing with my kids? I shouldn’t have to decide on whether my kids can eat lunch at the park or have everything they need for school.”

“It’s other things adding up as well. My son’s starting work placement and he will have to travel an hour each way on public transport because I have a car but it’s not running properly. I don’t have that reliable transport.”

State Schools Relief has reported a significant increase in demand for their services, particularly from secondary school students.

About 14,900 students in Victoria alone have been supported by the charity’s Learning for Life program in the last year: Picture: iStock

Providing access to school essentials like uniforms, school bags, stationery, swimwear and technology, acting chief executive Anshika Heritage said they estimate a 40 per cent increase in requests for assistance.

“We are noticing a higher demand for support from secondary school students as they use their bonus for textbooks and other activities while seeking uniforms, school shoes, stationary packs etc from State Schools Relief,” Acting CEO Anshika Heritage explained.

A spokesperson for Child and Family services Ballarat said they have also noticed an increase in their family support programmes, reporting seeing families resorting to not paying their rent as a means of covering costs.

“Our teams are also hearing that families who are on low incomes or Centrelink are struggling with purchasing uniforms, kids grow, while their budgets do not,” they said.

Child and Family services CEO Wendy Sturgess said the cost of sending a child to school is more than just enrolment fees.

“The list of expenses can add up quickly — uniforms, shoes, backpacks, stationery, excursions, and technology like laptops and iPads — putting families under even more strain,” she said.

Child and Family services runs an annual back to school campaign to ensure children have access to basic school essentials to keep kids engaged with formal education, but stress the need for programs that help families break the cycle of disadvantage in the future.