Getting the kids ready to head back to school can be expensive. In fact, the average Victorian parents are expected to spend around $1300 per child on back-to-school costs in 2024, according to research conducted by Officeworks. While costs for essentials like uniforms, tech and school supplies can feel overwhelming, Anglicare Victoria’s financial counsellors have provided their top tips below to help you save money this year.
Plan ahead
Sit down and make a plan for the year ahead. Note any camps or excursions that you may need to pay for, along with school photos and graduation ceremonies. This way you can break the cost down by putting some money aside each week or fortnight for the biggest costs. Check which school fees are compulsory and which are not. This should be clearly stated on your invoice. Voluntary contributions are just that – you don’t have to pay them if you can’t afford to.
Reuse items from last year
If your kids have empty exercise books or books with only a few pages used, tear those pages out and reuse the book. The same applies to pencils, textas and highlighters. Test them out to make sure they still work and pop them back in the pencil case for another year.
Reusing more expensive items such as calculators and dictionaries can save you a lot of money, and it’s also better for the environment. School bags can be freshened up by wiping inside and out with warm soapy water, and many pencil cases and lunch bags can be cleaned in the washing machine.
Look online for second-hand items
Most suburbs have ‘Buy Nothing’, ‘Good Karma’ or ‘Pay it Forward’ groups for residents to give away their unwanted items. Search in your local group for the items on your list or put up a post asking if anyone has the things you’re looking for. Many schools have their own Facebook groups for second-hand uniform and book sales – and you may even be able to sell or give away some items you no longer need. You could also check the local op shops in your area. The Sustainable School Shop is a great site where families can both buy and sell second hand uniforms and textbooks – check with your school to see if they participate.
Buy refurbished tech
Rather than splashing out on the latest iPad or laptop, consider buying a refurbished device. These devices have been checked and tested, and often come with a new battery, charger, and headphones – plus, you could save hundreds of dollars. If you do need to buy new, check if the school has a discount code or a preferred supplier that sells them cheaply.
Hire instead of buying
Check with the school if you can borrow or hire any instruments, textbooks, or devices your children need for the year. You may need to pay a deposit or a monthly hire fee, but it will save you money upfront. You may also be able to borrow textbooks from the library, or access books and required readings through the Libby library app.
Shop around the major retailers
If you’re planning to buy uniforms or stationery from the major department stores, research their prices online so you get the best deal. Take advantage of any rewards programs or discounts you have access to, and always ask if they price match – it could save you heaps.
Label everything
Kids are notorious for losing lunch boxes and school hats, so make sure everything is clearly labelled before school starts with their name and your mobile number. This way you’re more likely to get the items back if they do get lost and you won’t need to spend more money replacing them. You don’t need to buy fancy expensive labels – a permanent marker will do the job.
Get them online with the School Student Broadband Initiative
Having access to the internet is essential for successful learning these days, but staying connected can add pressure to the household budget. Anglicare Victoria is helping the Australian Government deliver the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), which provides free internet access for eligible families until December 2025. You can find more information on the Anglicare Victoria website, or get in touch with the SSBI team on 1800 954 610.
Make sure you’re receiving the correct concessions and funding
If you have a concession card or pension card, make sure you tell the school. Your child may be able to access the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). This is a payment of $125 for primary school students and $225 for high school students, paid directly to the school to be used for extracurricular activities throughout the year. Ask for an application form from the school or download one from the Victorian Government’s CSEF webpage.
Organisations such as State Schools’ Relief may be able to help with shoes, uniforms, graphing calculators and even glasses. Applications are processed through your school, so speak to the principal to find out more. Your child may be able to apply for one of the scholarships administered by the Victorian Government. You could also consider joining a matched savings program such as ANZ’s Saver Plus, which offers up to $500 in matched savings for eligible parents to spend on education costs.
If you’re struggling, ask for help
Reach out to the principal or wellbeing team if you’re struggling – you may be surprised at the help they can offer. Sometimes they have funding set aside to help families who are going through difficult times, or they may have some spare uniforms they can provide. You may be able to come to an arrangement to pay off fees and other costs over time. The principal can also help you apply for some of the funding and concessions mentioned above, and any other help that becomes available throughout the year.
There is help available for energy bills through the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Find out more on the Anglicare Victoria website or call 1800 531 741 to speak to our EAP team. You can also speak to a financial counsellor by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
