Back-to-school bills bite: 1 in 3 Aussie parents can’t afford supplies
Australian families are being hit with soaring back-to-school costs, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,006 respondents, 275 of whom have school aged children, revealed 30% of Australian parents will struggle to afford back-to-school costs this year.
That's an estimated 819,000 households who can't fund their children's school requirements including uniforms and stationary supplies.
Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder and mother-of-three, said thousands of Aussie parents aren't financially prepared for back-to-school costs.
"School essentials can place a huge amount of pressure on the household budget, especially for those still recovering from the expense of Christmas.
"At the start of the year, many family budgets are already stretched thin."
Finder crunched the numbers and found that school expenses in 2026 are expected to set families back a staggering $14.4 billion.
That's $2,847 for each primary school child and $5,310 for secondary students on average.
More than 1 in 10 (13%) will go into debt to fund back-to-school bills, while 6% of kids will have to use last year's supplies.
Finder's research shows 6% of parents will be buying second hand stationery and uniforms due to affordability issues.
Sadly, 4% of kids will have to 'go without' with parents not having the means to pay for supplies this year.
Megginson warned parents against using short-term or personal loans to pay for school supplies, saying the long-term consequences can be severe.
"Using debt to cover everyday essentials often leads to greater financial stress down the track."
Instead, Megginson encouraged families to explore practical alternatives to reduce costs, including taking advantage of back-to-school sales, talking to your school about payment plans, and using local community networks and support groups.
"Posting in local Facebook groups can be great for finding second-hand uniforms for less, and it's also worth checking what grants or assistance programs are available in your area.
"You might be eligible for credits through state and territory governments – in Queensland, for instance, the $100 Back to School Boost is available for every primary student (Prep-Year 6) in 2026."
For families facing serious hardship, Megginson urged them to see what support programs they might be eligible for, while also speaking directly with their child's school.
"Some schools have programs to assist with necessities like uniforms and learning supplies, or you might be able to arrange to pay off resource fees over time.
"Local charities and not-for-profit organisations can also help with items such as backpacks, clothing and other essentials, through programs like The Smith Family Education Fund."
Even though it seems a long time away, thinking ahead to next year and setting up a savings plan now can help you manage the budget down the track.
"Setting up a dedicated back-to-school savings account and contributing small amounts throughout the year can make a big difference when January comes around," Megginson said.
Click here for more information on Finder's back to school costs and statistics for 2026.
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