Victorian government schools cannot charge fees.
Schools provide students with free instruction and ensure students have free access to all items, activities and services that are used by the school to fulfil the requirements of the Victorian Curriculum F-10, VCE (including the VCE Vocational Major) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate.
Schools can invite you to:
- make voluntary contributions to be used towards enhancing educational programs, and additional resources and opportunities the school offers
- pay for extra-curricular items and activities such as excursions and camps that are not required for curriculum delivery
- buy learning materials such as textbooks for your child to use and own.
This page explains how schools can request contributions and payments from parents.
Voluntary contributions
You can be invited to make voluntary contributions to enhance your school's programs, resources and environment.
You are not required to make voluntary contributions to your school.
Schools cannot refuse your child instruction in the curriculum if you do not contribute.
If you are the carer of a student in out-of-home care or if you hold a financially mean-tested card (such as a health care card), the school will advise that the invitation to make voluntary contributions does not apply.
Extra-curricular items and activities
Schools can request payments for extra-curricular items and activities.
These are items and activities that are additions to the free instruction provided to all students to fulfil curriculum requirements and may broaden the schooling experience.
You can choose whether to pay for them.
They are offered on a user-pays basis, meaning you must pay for your child to receive the item or participate in the activity.
Financial help is available for extra-curricular items and activities if you are experiencing financial hardship.
Speak to your school for more information or see: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
Extra-curricular items and activities include:
- optional activities, camps, excursions and programs
- class photos
- non-curriculum-based school events like formals and items like yearbooks.
Learning materials that you may prefer to own
You can also be invited to provide or buy learning materials for your child to use and own. For example, you may prefer to buy your own:
- textbooks
- stationery
- digital devices (for secondary school students only).
Schools can also invite you to buy materials that go beyond what is provided as standard by the school.
Uniforms
Your child will generally need to wear a school uniform, although each school sets their own rules for school uniforms.
You can speak to your school to find out their rules.
Some schools have a uniform supplier or shop where you can buy uniforms. They may also sell uniforms second hand.
Schools are required to ensure that their uniforms are affordable. You can get help with the cost of school uniforms.
Speak to your school for more information or see: Help with school costs and fees.
Laptops and tablets
From 2027, if you have a child in Foundation to Grade 6, your school must not invite or allow you to provide, buy or rent a laptop or tablet for your child to use at school.
The school will give your child free access to a device when needed to fulfil the curriculum requirements.
Some secondary schools have a program where you provide your own laptop or tablet for your child to use or buy or rent a laptop or tablet from a third-party provider.
The school can give you information on which laptops and tablets can connect to their network.
You may need to buy extra software if you're using your own device.
From 2027, schools with secondary students who have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program are to ensure at least one nominated device option costs no more than $980 (including GST).
If your child is a secondary school student and you do not rent, buy or provide your own laptop or tablet, the school will provide access to the items your child needs to participate in the curriculum.
Who determines parent contributions requests
Each school determines their own suggested amounts for voluntary contributions and extra-curricular items and activities.
The school council reviews and approves these suggested amounts for voluntary contributions and other payments.
Schools set their contribution requests so they can meet their local community's needs.
They can also set their own priorities. This means your requests may be different to parents and carers in other schools.
For transparency, your school must have their Parent Contributions arrangements published on their school website and a link to the Department of Education’s Parent Contributions policy on the same page.
For more information:
- read the Parent Contributions policy (opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) that schools must follow
- read the Parent Contributions policy – information for families.
Financial help for families
You do not need to make voluntary contributions to your school, they are voluntary and optional.
There are options and support available if you are having financial difficulties paying for:
- extra-curricular items and activities that are suitable for your child
- uniform items
- learning materials for your child to own.
Read more about help with school costs and fees.
How to lower your costs
- Buy second hand items and uniforms where possible - ask your school whether they have a uniform shop and/or swap day.
- Talk to your school about the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
- Talk to your school about support available through State Schools Relief.
- Use your own laptop or tablet if it's compatible with the school's network (only if your child is a secondary school student).
- Apply for a scholarship if your child is eligible.
For more information
If you don't understand the contributions and payments you have been invited to make, speak to your school first.
For general queries about the Parent Contributions policy, you can contact the Department of Education's general enquiries line on 1800 338 663 or email enquiries@education.vic.gov.au
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