Tasmanian parents are struggling with back to school money pressures

Tasmanian parents have voiced concerns about sending their kids back to school as they grapple with financial pressures including the increasing need for digital access.

Kate Kelly, Equity advocate and pensioner mum, is putting together a garage sale with her community to help raise fund for back to school. Picture: Mireille Merlet

Thousands of Tasmanian parents are “anxious” about putting money together ahead of sending their kids back to school this year.

A survey by The Smith Family of almost 2,000 Australian families found that 9 in 10 parents and carers were worried about affording all the things their children will need for school this year.

“I’m anxious, I’ve been scrounging around trying to find cheap alternatives to the normal school uniform,” Equity advocate and single mum pensioner Kate Kelly said.

“Stress building about how you’re going to afford that big chunk of money about $300 just for the basic kit and that doesn’t include shoes, lunch boxes, hats, and all the extra stuff

“I’m looking for things at chain stores, second hand-shop, my son’s school.”

Ms Kelly lives in social housing and has been grappling with the rising costs of living.

“The money just doesn’t go as far as it used to go,” she said.

“I can’t imagine how single parents on a new start income or pensioners living in the private rental market are even able to afford their basic rent.”

Even when Ms Kelly finds a job, there are other financial worries she will have to worry about.

“I’ll probably have to still do some after-school care.”

Ms Kelly put out a heartfelt plea asking people who can afford to buy things for their child to not go on the free or second-hand networks.

“Those groups that exist to provide second-hand uniforms are absolutely the foundation of where people like me go to get clothes for our kids each year.”

Kate Kelly, Equity advocate and pensioner mum, is putting together a garage sale with her community to help raise fund for back to school. Picture: Mireille Merlet

“What we see on the ground and hearing who work in all regions is that families are telling us they’re just struggling with the growing costs of fuel, housing, transport and food,” Lesley Mackay from The Smith Family said.

“When people have to move homes because they can’t pay rent, it disrupts their children’s education.”

The Smith Family supported the education of thousands of Tasmanian children through its range of programs in the last financial year.

Ms Mackay, The Tasmanian General Manager of the non-profit said the cost of living pressures were the biggest concern, followed by affordable housing.

“There are incidental education costs throughout the year and that might be the ongoing need around digital access, they may need new shoes, participation that might be important to them like sports that come with costs.”

With schools transitioning to digital learning, Ms Mackay said it’s putting even more pressure on families.

“In the last 2-3 years it’s shifted from a nice to have to a must-have in education (digital) they are making choices about paying quite a bit for their household income”

“Families with lower incomes are spending up to 5-10% of their income to be digitally included”

Are you struggling with back to school costs? Share your story in the comments below.