By Robyn Grace
Expensive branded uniforms at public schools will be reviewed under a government push to ease financial pressure on families.
Education Minister Ben Carroll on Friday announced a rethink of the uniform policy in state schools, but any major changes could take months or even years to come into effect as schools wait for contracts with uniform suppliers to expire.
Should public school uniforms be more generic to reduce costs?Credit: iStock
The government’s consultation process will involve schools, parents, students and other organisations.
Carroll did not say what elements of uniforms could be updated but options being discussed include iron-on patches instead of branded clothing and generic items from chain stores instead of uniform suppliers.
Carroll said in a media release the consultation process was key to understanding the scale and nature of the issue of uniform affordability. After consultation, the student dress code policy would be updated.
“We understand how school costs can add up and the cost of living is rising – that’s why we’re moving ahead with a plan to minimise the amount families have to spend on uniforms each year,” he said.
State high schools have long been urged to adopt more generic uniforms and end their branding war with private schools, as the cost of uniforms climbed to hundreds of dollars and more families were forced to seek financial help.
State Schools Relief chief executive officer Sue Karzis told The Age last year the problem intensified in high school, where more items were badged and substitutes were not normally allowed.
“School councils ... think they’re doing the right thing providing these really upmarket uniforms but what they’re not allowing for is the fact that some of the families cannot afford these uniforms,” Karzis said.
State Schools Relief has approved 85,416 applications for support this financial year, compared to 68,849 at the same time in 2022-23, an increase of 24 per cent.
Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals president Colin Axup said uniform costs could be reduced by limiting the number of items that featured school logos.
But he said uniforms were set by school councils in consultation with their community.
“School councils are a reflection of their community and should therefore be responsive to their community needs,” he said.
Axup warned most schools had contracts with uniform suppliers and any change would require notice so schools were not in breach of legal requirements.
“Any significant change to uniform policy would need to have a suitable timeframe for schools to manage contracts with uniform suppliers,” he said.
He said State Schools Relief was administered by schools and not means-tested. Every school also had a store of uniform items to ensure students in need were supported.
“Schools are very good at knowing their students and families and providing support to those in need,” he said.
Parents Victoria chief executive officer Gail McHardy said the organisation had lobbied for some time to reduce the cost of school uniforms.
She said fewer logos on uniform items would also reduce the burden for school staff to enforce uniform policies.
“We welcome the consultation if it leads to change in the best interest of student wellbeing,” she said.
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