'I don't want my son to miss out': mum's fear over soaring back-to-school costs

Mum Ashlee Cooper's son Archie starts year seven at Phoenix P-12 Community College in Ballarat in Victoria in 2026 and when she read through the transition information she was sent last week, she was shocked and heartbroken.

The price of branded school uniform items, a new $681 laptop and other costs left her "freaking out" as it is money the carer does not have.

"I can't afford it, so school is going to have to come up with some solution because I cannot pull money from nowhere," Ms Cooper said.

"I really don't want my son to miss out ... and the most heartbreaking thing is I can't physically do anything to help our situation, to make it so he's equal to everyone else, and we'll have to be those people where I'm possibly sending him without things he needs."

The costs have left her questioning the supposed equality of the goverT questioningnment education sector.

"It's a public school and it should be equal for everybody, with equal opportunity for everybody," she said.

Ms Cooper was dismayed that there were no generic unbranded items on the school uniform list, and that a new laptop is required that can be paid off before January, but not during next year.

She has not yet received the book list, but is "quite pleased" at the reasonable $150 voluntary fee, which can be paid in instalments.

"You can pay the laptop off from now until Christmas, but there's no option to pay throughout the year, no hire options stated, and no financial assistance for a laptop at all written in the package," she said.

"It is heartbreaking to feel that my child's education could be jeopardised purely because of financial barriers," Ms Cooper said.

"I am certain I am not the only parent in this position. Something must change to ensure equal opportunity for all students."

Even with State Schools Relief and possible government assistance if the $400 program is continued from previous years, Ms Cooper said the costs were still overwhelming.

State Schools Relief often steps in to help families in similar situations to the Coopers.

In 2022/23, SSR received 2293 applications from students at 55 of the 74 schools in Ballarat and surrounding areas. It provided assistance to the value of $198,304 in total, with the average cost per application at $86.48, with items costing at wholesale price rather than retail.

"The situation has left me in tears, wondering how I will manage to send my child to high school at all. Public education is meant to be accessible and affordable for every child, yet these costs are comparable to private schooling," Ms Cooper said.

Ms Cooper contacted the school to explain her situation.

The Courier asked questions of Phoenix P-12 Community College, but the query was forwarded to the Department of Education.

"School costs can add up, and that's why we're helping with uniform costs and saying goodbye to expensive branded shorts, skirts, trackies and socks by changing the school uniform policy," a Victorian government spokesperson said.

In April, the state government announced changes to student dress codes to ban school logos on shorts, pants, skirts and socks ... but Ms Cooper said that was only a small help when top half uniform items were still branded and blazers cost $170.

"Since 2015, we have allocated more than $75 million to State Schools Relief - supporting families with the cost of uniforms through the Affordable School Uniform Program. This supported more than 23,000 government school students in 2024," the spokesperson said.

"Where parents and carers are experiencing financial pressures, we encourage them to contact schools directly to discuss the supports available, including government assistance programs."

The school will also offer support where needed, including connecting families with outside supports such as the Smith Family, and under department policy, schools must provide students with the use of a device during the times a device is required at school.