Education Costs 'Unaffordable' for Australian Families New Survey

Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of Australians say children’s education costs are unaffordable for many families, according to a new survey¹ commissioned by The Smith Family.

The survey of more than 1,000 Australians also found an overwhelming majority (84 per cent) do not want to see children missing out on educational opportunities because their family can’t afford it; while three-quarters of respondents (76 per cent) said children in struggling families should be given extra assistance for uniforms, books and excursions to ensure they aren’t disadvantaged at school. Community attitudes survey: Child poverty and education in Australia [PDF]

As families prepare for a new school year, The Smith Family CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien said it is one of the charity’s busiest times with parents and carers seeking help for their children’s education.

“The new year can be a stressful time for low-income families. With children starting back at school, the costs can really add up,” Dr O’Brien said.

“No parent wants their child to start the school year feeling isolated from their peers because they don’t have a decent uniform, school bag or shoes. They don’t want their kids feeling left out from school activities because they can’t afford sport or excursions.”

Dr O’Brien said the deepening ‘digital divide’ in Australia is compounding the challenges for students whose families can’t afford the technology they need for school. A recent Australian study ² of high school students confirmed many young people are going without these essential tools.

“These days, parents also have to factor in the costs of technology for their children’s education – things like laptops and internet access. For many families these can be quite unaffordable. “We know, for example, that nearly a third of the students on our sponsorship program don’t have a computer at home that’s connected to the internet. We hear of students struggling to keep up at school because they don’t have the tools they need to study or get their homework done,” Dr O’Brien said.

Australia’s ‘hidden’ poverty

The survey also found most Australians underestimate the extent of child poverty in Australia. While just over a third (35 per cent) correctly said one in six Australian children are living in poverty, around two-thirds (65 per cent) thought the rate was much lower.

Respondents overwhelmingly said they did not feel well informed about child poverty in Australia; only one in five people (21 per cent) felt they were. But a majority (73 per cent) believe we all have a responsibility to do something about it.

“Sometimes we hear people say that Australia doesn’t really have a child poverty problem. Yet the latest figures show there are 1.1 million young Australians under the age of 24 ³ who are living below the poverty line,” Dr O’Brien said.

“People don’t see the ‘hidden’ poverty that exists behind closed doors and in our classrooms, which can see children and families dealing with extraordinary challenges just to get through each day.”

As a new school year begins, The Smith Family is asking the community to consider sponsoring an Australian child in need to help with the cost of school essentials and out-of-school learning support. Through referrals from partner schools, the charity currently has more than 4,000 children in financially stressed households who are urgently in need of a sponsor. Children on the sponsorship program are also connected with a Smith Family coordinator who takes the time to understand the child’s specific needs, ensuring they receive appropriate assistance.

“Supporting a child to have a quality education is one of the best ways we can help them to break the cycle of disadvantage. At The Smith Family, we support thousands of disadvantaged students on our sponsorship program who would otherwise be missing out on the basics every child needs to learn.

“We commonly hear from our sponsored students what a difference it makes to their lives knowing someone out there in the community cares enough to support their education. Our work over many years has also shown this long-term support can vastly improve the outcomes of these students,”Dr O’Brien said.

How sponsorship works