The cost of public schooling in Tasmania is far from equal across the state

Do you know how much your child’s school charges for their education? SEARCH AND COMPARE ALL TASMANIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

THE most expensive public schools in Tasmania cost up to five times more per student than the most affordable, Education Department data shows.

The Mercury can today reveal the disparity between Tasmanian government schools when it comes to what parents pay in annual levies.

In response to a Right to Information request the Education Department has released the list of levies charged by all public schools in 2019.

Analysis by the Mercury shows the difference in levies can amount to hundreds of dollars per grade, and thousands over a student’s time at school – in some instances between schools only a few kilometres apart.

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While primary and high school levies vary significantly, all the state’s 11 and 12 colleges charge the same general levy of $420 per student.

Levies are intended to cover costs of a child’s education program such as learning materials, stationary, excursions and camps.

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The Education Department says it is up to schools to decide their own levies in consultation with their school associations.

However, the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations says there has been no satisfactory explanation why it costs so much more to attend certain public schools.

“We have been arguing for so long that surely there can be a better system … that doesn’t discriminate against families,” TASSO president Nigel Jones said.

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“How can one school not charge fees, but at another school down the road families have to pay? We just can’t get answers.

“When you go through what schools are offering, those [more expensive] schools aren’t offering anything major to explain a $200 or $300 difference.”

More than one third of Tasmanian government school students are exempt from levies under the Student Assistance Scheme.

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However, TASSO is most concerned about the cost of public schooling in Tasmania for the two-thirds of families that have to pay levies.

Mr Jones said low and middle income families could struggle to pay school levies in addition to uniform and equipment costs. “Some parents have three to four kids in school. That’s a lot of money they have to fork out,” Mr Jones said.

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A spokesman for the Education Department said levies provided an important contribution towards educational costs delivered in state schools.

“[Levies] only represent less than 2 per cent of total schools costs,” the spokesman said.

“Factors affecting levies include if the school is primary, high or district high school, the students school year and what subjects are offered.

“Schools also provide a range of flexible payment options for payment of levies, including payment plans, to support the payment of levies over an extended period.

“The Department of Education is undertaking a comprehensive review of levies and charges.”

Following concerns raised about the mounting cost of public schooling, the State Opposition this week called on the State Government to release its review of levies.