There are options if you're having difficulties with school costs.
You can:
- talk to your school about your situation. They may be able to arrange a payment plan or look at other options.
- ask about support from State Schools' Relief and the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
- use the payment and service finder to see if you can get support from the Commonwealth government.
- use the Crisis Referral Information System to find support near you.
- ask your school about support services in your area.
Your school cannot stop your child from learning the standard curriculum if you can't pay.
Get further advice
If you've spoken with your school and are not happy with the response:
- Speak to the school principal first.
- If things are still not resolved, contact us via your closest regional hotline.
Help from State Schools' Relief
Help is available through the Affordable School Uniforms program to meet the costs of uniforms and other key school items.
Support is available from State Schools' Relief if you have a child at a Victorian government school and are facing, for example:
- serious financial difficulty
- crisis situations such as homelessness, family violence and natural disasters
- out of home care
- refugee status
Victorian state government school students are eligible to receive uniform items, school shoes, stationery packs and other essential school items such as travel passes at no cost.
State Schools’ Relief assistance will be provided either by direct supply of items or via a voucher for redemption from school uniform suppliers.
Apply
Speak to your child’s school to get the support you need. You can discuss your requirements with:
- the school principal
- assistant principal
- a student welfare coordinator.
They will work with you to identify the need and will apply for assistance directly with State Schools’ Relief on your behalf .
If your child is beginning prep or year 7 and is eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, they can automatically receive help with school uniform support. Schools make CSEF uniform applications on behalf of families at designated times during the school year. This assistance is additional to the application-based support available to all eligible families through the Affordable School Uniforms program that is available year-round.
Background
State Schools' Relief is an organisation that helps children stay in education. They provide practical and confidential support for thousands of families in need and work with all government schools to ensure that students facing hardship and/or crisis situations have the necessary items they require for school.
Since 2015, the Victorian government has provided $42.7 million to State Schools’ Relief to help them provide uniforms and essential school items to Victorian students through the Affordable School Uniforms program. An additional $32.9 million for the continuance of the Affordable School Uniforms program was announced in the 2024 State Budget.
Learn more about the organisation on the State Schools' Relief website.
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