The department's vision for a progressive, high performing education system, realising the potential of every student and giving children a great start. The combined effort between the Department, parents and caregivers and the school community is needed so that every child is supported to achieve their best.
This page provides information on the services provided by schools, the resources you may need to provide for your child, the fees and charges you may need to pay and assistance available if you have difficulty paying those fees and charges.
Schools
Schools provide
instruction, administration and facilities free to all state school students. For example:
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instruction including teaching staff, teacher aides, assessment and testing resources
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administration including administration staff, office supplies (first aid kits, tissues) and general administration (school newsletter, school reports)
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facilities including classrooms, library, lockers, sport and recreational grounds, whiteboards, photocopiers and school IT equipment including student internet access.
Parents and carers
Parents and carers are responsible for other resources such as:
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textbooks including exercise books, student diary, and study planner
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equipment for personal use including calculators, headphones, portable storage devices, laptops and tablets
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items used by students in the classroom including pens and pencils, cooking ingredients, art and craft materials
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non-curricular activities including school formals, excursions and camps, and excellence programs
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uniforms, hats, outside school hours care, and tuckshop.
If you want to find out more about what schools provide and what parents provide, have a look at the
school fees matrix (PDF, 290KB).
Voluntary financial contribution
Schools may ask parents to make a
voluntary financial contribution. These are used to improve resources for student learning, recreation and comfort. The school should explain how the funds will be used. Parents are not obliged to contribute.
A voluntary financial contribution:
- is not a fee
- should be listed separately from any school fees and charges
- is not part of a
student resource scheme that might operate in the school.
Setting fees and charges
Your school's fees and charges are set by your school’s principal and Parents and Citizens' (P&C) Association (or parent representative/s if your school does not have a P&C).
Before charging a fee, schools are required to:
- consider community expectations regarding affordability
- not charge a fee if the cost can be absorbed by the school and
- explore alternative options to reduce costs.
If fees are charged, they must represent value for money and be set at no more than cost recovery. Commercial activities such as a school tuckshop, uniform shop, and outside school hours care services may set fees above cost recover.
Support for parents to reduce fees and charges
To assist parents to reduce costs the following may be available:
Difficulty paying fees and charges
If you are experiencing difficulties please contact your principal. They may be able to assist with a payment arrangement, instalment plan or fee waiver.
Families experiencing domestic violence are also encouraged to reach out to their school principal, who can provide support and assistance with paying fees.
Participating in a learning activity if fees and charges have not been paid
Students will not be prevented from participating in a learning activity that is part of the curriculum if their fees and charges have not been paid. A principal may decide to exclude a student from optional, non-curricular activities like school formals and camps if their fees and charges are unpaid.
Questions regarding school fees and charges
If you do not understand the fees being charged at your school talk to your school's principal or business manager first. For more information contact your
regional office for assistance.
Ways to reduce your fees and charges
- Ask your school principal or business manager if your school has local options to assist students and parents.
- Join your school's P&C, so that you can be part of the decision-making about fees and charges. If you are unable to be a member of your P&C you can attend meetings. You should receive an invitation at least one month in advance before each meeting.
- Ask your school's uniform shop if they have second-hand uniforms and uniform swap days. Your local community may have a community page where some parents give away the uniforms for free or sell second hand uniforms e.g. Facebook.
- Use your own laptop or tablet if it's
compatible with the school's network.
Other financial assistance
Other financial assistance for school students and families may be available, including:
Related links
User charging procedure (PDF, 375KB)