MORE than half of the families supported through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program are struggling to afford the basics their children need for school, as cost-of-living pressures continue to stretch household budgets.
The national children’s education charity’s latest Family Pulse Survey found 53.1 per cent of respondents said it had been hard or very hard to afford all the things their children needed for school this year.
Rising everyday costs are adding to that pressure, with almost half of families surveyed (48.8 per cent) saying increased expenses such as groceries, rent and petrol had made the school year harder.
The findings come as The Smith Family launches its 2026 Christmas Appeal: Unlock the potential poverty tries to hide – change the life of a child this Christmas.
The appeal aims to raise $5 million to help 11,904 children and young people access the educational support they need to make the most of their learning.
The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor said the findings showed families experiencing disadvantage were facing ongoing pressure to meet essential education costs.
“Families are telling us they are doing everything they can to support their children’s education, but the cost of simply getting through the week is making school essentials harder to afford,” Mr Taylor said.
“When families are already stretched by rent, food, bills and transport, the cost of uniforms, shoes, books, stationery, excursions and digital devices can make it harder for children to access the learning opportunities they need to make the most of their education.
“No child should miss out on opportunities to learn and progress because their family is experiencing financial hardship. Education can play a powerful role in helping children build the skills and confidence to realise their potential.”
Over a quarter of respondents (25.3 per cent) said their children needed more things for school, or more expensive items this year, while 22.9 per cent said their children still needed the same things for school, but those items now cost more.
“These findings show when many families are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of education, children can miss out on the things they need to fully participate in their learning. Once students fall behind, it can be difficult to catch up, which is why providing the right support at the right time matters,” Mr Taylor said.
Nationally, NAPLAN 2026 data shows three out of 10 students experiencing disadvantage still need additional support to meet minimum literacy and numeracy standards – that’s 10 times higher than their peers from high socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Education is one of the most powerful change agents,” Mr Taylor said.
“With the right support, children experiencing disadvantage can build the skills and confidence to make the most of their education and realise their potential. That’s what we’re asking Australians to help make possible this Christmas,” Mr Taylor said.
To donate to The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal, visit thesmithfamily.com.au.
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