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View all programs New survey shows cost-of-living continues to price young people out of education as families struggle to afford school essentials and pay the bills
28 October 2025
The latest annual Pulse Survey released by national children’s education charity, The Smith Family, has revealed that 58.1% of families who responded found it hard or very hard to afford essential school items for their children this year, with more than half attributing this to the rising cost-of-living and increased school expenses.
More than half of all survey respondents (51.9%) are finding it hard or very hard to afford all the things their children need for school this year due to increases in everyday expenses such as groceries, rent, home, energy costs and petrol.
The Smith Family’s CEO Doug Taylor says it’s concerning to see the impact financial difficulties have on a child’s education.
“This is the fourth Christmas in a row the cost-of-living crisis has weighed on families already experiencing disadvantage,” Taylor said.
“Many children will reflect on this school year knowing they gave it their all —yet the financial hardships their families faced have likely held them back from reaching their full potential.”
“Like all Australians, we believe no child should be held back by poverty. The Smith Family’s out-of-school education programs support students to build confidence, stay engaged and keep up with their peers.”
The Smith Family is launching its 2025 Christmas Appeal (October 28 – January 4), hoping to raise $4.9 million in cash donations to support 11,667 children and young people access the education charity’s range of evidence-based learning and mentoring programs.
Programs are offered to participants on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life scholarship program in schools where the charity works. Learning for Life also supports families with finances for pay for school essentials; and access to a Family Partnership Coordinator who works with families to help navigate their child’s education pathway.
“Our evidence-based education programs are proven to help children catch up and keep up with their learning. For example, our student2student reading program helped 96% of participants improve their reading this year.”
“On average, 80% of children on our Passport to Success program, which helps Year 6 students to transition into Year 7, felt they had a better understanding of what to expect when they got to high school,” Taylor says.
“We know that all parents want their children to do their best at school. And our Pulse survey shows that the families we work with are extremely proud of their children, particularly when it comes to their progress, effort and attitude to learning,” Taylor added.
Respondents cited increased school costs (24.7%) and the need for more expensive items like devices (30.7%) as among the biggest stressors impacting their ability to fund everything their child needs for school.
“Young people need to be fully equipped with the essentials they need for school to be able to fully participate. It’s a particularly expensive period for families with young people transitioning from Primary to Secondary school.”
The Survey found that 75.1% highlighted support through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life scholarship program had made a positive impact.
More than 62% said financial support they received through the program helped fund basics like school uniforms, books, stationery and technology. While 13.1% said funds helped with sending their children on school camps and sporting activities.
“In Australia today, one in six children are growing up in poverty — an invisible barrier that limits their ability to thrive in school. While the cost-of-living crisis touches everyone, its impact is far more severe for families already doing it tough.”
“The families we support face impossible choices every day—between putting food on the table and paying for school essentials like uniforms and laptops. When survival takes precedence, education suffers, and children are left behind.”
To donate to The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal, visit thesmithfamily.com.au.
DOWNLOAD MP3 & MP4 AUDIO GRABS HERE
DOWNLOAD THE SURVEY HERE
More than half of all survey respondents (51.9%) are finding it hard or very hard to afford all the things their children need for school this year due to increases in everyday expenses such as groceries, rent, home, energy costs and petrol.
The Smith Family’s CEO Doug Taylor says it’s concerning to see the impact financial difficulties have on a child’s education.
“This is the fourth Christmas in a row the cost-of-living crisis has weighed on families already experiencing disadvantage,” Taylor said.
“Many children will reflect on this school year knowing they gave it their all —yet the financial hardships their families faced have likely held them back from reaching their full potential.”
“Like all Australians, we believe no child should be held back by poverty. The Smith Family’s out-of-school education programs support students to build confidence, stay engaged and keep up with their peers.”
The Smith Family is launching its 2025 Christmas Appeal (October 28 – January 4), hoping to raise $4.9 million in cash donations to support 11,667 children and young people access the education charity’s range of evidence-based learning and mentoring programs.
Programs are offered to participants on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life scholarship program in schools where the charity works. Learning for Life also supports families with finances for pay for school essentials; and access to a Family Partnership Coordinator who works with families to help navigate their child’s education pathway.
“Our evidence-based education programs are proven to help children catch up and keep up with their learning. For example, our student2student reading program helped 96% of participants improve their reading this year.”
“On average, 80% of children on our Passport to Success program, which helps Year 6 students to transition into Year 7, felt they had a better understanding of what to expect when they got to high school,” Taylor says.
“We know that all parents want their children to do their best at school. And our Pulse survey shows that the families we work with are extremely proud of their children, particularly when it comes to their progress, effort and attitude to learning,” Taylor added.
Respondents cited increased school costs (24.7%) and the need for more expensive items like devices (30.7%) as among the biggest stressors impacting their ability to fund everything their child needs for school.
“Young people need to be fully equipped with the essentials they need for school to be able to fully participate. It’s a particularly expensive period for families with young people transitioning from Primary to Secondary school.”
The Survey found that 75.1% highlighted support through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life scholarship program had made a positive impact.
More than 62% said financial support they received through the program helped fund basics like school uniforms, books, stationery and technology. While 13.1% said funds helped with sending their children on school camps and sporting activities.
“In Australia today, one in six children are growing up in poverty — an invisible barrier that limits their ability to thrive in school. While the cost-of-living crisis touches everyone, its impact is far more severe for families already doing it tough.”
“The families we support face impossible choices every day—between putting food on the table and paying for school essentials like uniforms and laptops. When survival takes precedence, education suffers, and children are left behind.”
To donate to The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal, visit thesmithfamily.com.au.
DOWNLOAD MP3 & MP4 AUDIO GRABS HERE
DOWNLOAD THE SURVEY HERE
Media contacts:
Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au
The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome. For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au