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Parents worried about meeting the costs of children going back to school, according to latest survey.
The ongoing cost of living crisis is adding to the pressure on thousands of families already experiencing disadvantage and making them worried about meeting the costs of their children going back to school in 2025.
For the third year in a row, nearly 90% of families surveyed for The Smith Family’s Pulse Survey said they were worried about being able to afford the essentials their children need to be able to make the most of their education.
For the third year in a row, around three in five families experiencing disadvantage said they found it hard or very hard to afford all the things their children need for school in 2024.
For the third year in a row, nearly 90% of families surveyed for The Smith Family’s Pulse Survey said they were worried about being able to afford the essentials their children need to be able to make the most of their education.
For the third year in a row, around three in five families experiencing disadvantage said they found it hard or very hard to afford all the things their children need for school in 2024.
The findings are revealed in the latest Smith Family Pulse Survey, a national survey of more than 2,400 parents and carers whose children are supported by The Smith Family. They were asked questions about their children’s experience of school during the year and how they had coped.
This is the fifth Pulse survey to be carried out by The Smith Family. The first survey presented the perspective of The Smith Family’s frontline team members; all the following surveys spoke to the families who are supported through The Smith Family. The survey is repeated annually to provide a snapshot of families’ changing circumstances and hear directly from parents and carers about issues affecting their children’s education.
KEY FINDINGS:
- 87.1% of parents and carers were worried about being able to afford all the things their children will need for the 2025 school year.
- 54.8% think their children are likely to miss out on essential digital devices needed for schoolwork because they won’t be able to afford them in 2025.
- 59% of respondents said they found it harder to afford all the things their children needed for school in 2024.
- 55.6% of respondents said the increased cost of everyday expenses such as groceries, petrol and rent was the main reason it was harder to afford school items.
- Nearly two in five parents and carers said school had been hard or very hard for their children in 2024. The main reasons cited for this were school issues, health and mental health issues, and financial pressures.
- Parents said decreased affordability in 2024 was due to their children’s need for more things or more expensive things for school (28.5%) or the need for the same things but they were now more expensive (27.5%).
Cost-of-living crisis threatens school essentials for thousands of children in 2025
With families worried about the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, thousands of children could miss out on all the essentials they need for learning as they prepare for the new school year.
With household budgets being squeezed, nearly nine out of ten (87.1%) respondents to the Pulse Survey say they are worried that their children could miss out on school essentials in 2025. Of these, a third (33.3%) are very worried, three in ten (30.6%) are somewhat worried and just under a quarter (23.3%) were a little worried.
With household budgets being squeezed, nearly nine out of ten (87.1%) respondents to the Pulse Survey say they are worried that their children could miss out on school essentials in 2025. Of these, a third (33.3%) are very worried, three in ten (30.6%) are somewhat worried and just under a quarter (23.3%) were a little worried.
The biggest cost concern for 2025 is being digitally connected, with more than half (54.8%) worried that they will not be able to afford a digital device for their children and another 20.3% concerned about being able to afford internet at home to support their schoolwork. Nearly half (45.8%) think that their children are likely to miss out on educational activities outside school, like sport or music lessons. And two out of five respondents (42.1%) are concerned that they won’t be able to afford uniforms or shoes for their children. Over a third (38%) say their children could miss out on school excursions, and another one in five (19.1%) are worried that their children may have to go without school supplies like exercise books and stationery.
Cost of living increases made school less affordable in 2024
The Smith Family Pulse Survey. Feedback from parents and carers shows cost of living impact 2024.
Cost of living increases made it harder for families to meet school costs in 2024.
A significant portion of parents said they struggled to afford school-related expenses for their children this year. Nearly three in five respondents (59.0%) found it challenging to cover these costs this year.
The struggle to meet educational costs was largely attributed (55.6%) to the rising cost of living, including expenses like groceries, rent, energy, and petrol. More than half of respondents (55.8%) reported that increased school expenses, either due to higher prices (27.3%) or the need for more items (28.5%), made it harder for them to afford necessary supplies.
[Money from The Smith Family] helped me get their schoolbooks and some clothes. But also, food for school. I've been really struggling to be able to not only get my children to school but to have enough in their lunch.
With the money from the Learning for Life scholarship] I can buy my kids uniforms, books, pay [for] excursions that they weren't able to participate in before because it was expensive ... Because of this I am able to lift a load off my shoulders and have a little room to breathe and focus on my children's progress in school and grades and all those important things instead of only thinking about the expenses when it comes to schooling.
More children found school harder in 2024
Nearly two in five respondents (38%) reported that school has been hard or very hard for their children this year. This was an increase from 2023, when 34.5% of families said that school had been hard or very hard.
The difficulties at school were caused by a variety of factors, but mostly related to struggling with schoolwork (20.6%), dealing with financial pressures (17.9%), and coping with mental health or other health issues (17.8%).
Celebrating progress
Despite the difficulties, families found plenty to be proud of in what their children were able to achieve at school during 2024.
The biggest sources of pride related to the progress (36.5% of the themes cited) and effort (25.7%) of their children at school. Attendance and attitude (16.6%) and personal attributes (11.3%) were also significant responses.
My most proud moment is seeing my children improve in learning and be happy to go to school in a fresh uniform and good pair of shoes
My children have learning difficulties and all three have made such a positive change to their learning
When he started Grade 7, he was only working at a Grade 3-4 level, but now in Grade 10 he is working at a Grade 9 level in most subjects. He is struggling but he's really trying and I am incredibly proud of him.
They have been so content and have tried so hard to do good in school despite our financial difficulties at home.
Hopes for 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, survey respondents hold many hopes for their children’s education.
More than a quarter (26.6%) wanted their children to achieve good or improved academic results and
More than a quarter (26.6%) wanted their children to achieve good or improved academic results and
To do their very best, and feel very proud of what have been achieved.
Given the last few years have been very difficult, I have noticed a big difference in grades and general performance this year, so I feel If 2025 is as good as 2024 I will be very pleased.
16.9% of respondents hope their children would be able to be themselves and develop improved social attributes.
To be confident in themselves and learn to the best of their ability.
One in six (15.1%) parents wanted their children to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.
That he continues to progress and gain the skills he needs to do the career he wants to do. He wants to be a game designer so he needs to go all the way to grade 12 then do more courses.
To achieve as best as he can for him to succeed in anyway that keeps him happy in life.
Nearly one in seven (13.2%) said they hope their children would feel good about school and their education.
I hope they take this opportunity to have brighter future a head of them.
More details about this survey
The Smith Family Pulse Survey is an annual survey of parents and carers about how their children are faring at school and any issues affecting their children’s education. The survey is open to parents whose children are currently supported through our Learning for Life education support program, which provides emotional, practical and financial support to young Australians experiencing disadvantage. This survey was conducted between 7-21 August 2024 and there were 2,454 respondents.
Click here to view 2023-24 Pulse Survey results.