The Peter Malinauskas-led Labor Government has revealed a new election promise to remove public school materials and services fees from the 2027 school year, should it be returned to office.
Under the proposal, public school families would no longer be required to pay annual materials and services charges, which currently average $382 per year for primary students and $723 for secondary students. The Government estimates the change would save families more than $8,000 per child over the course of their schooling.
The policy forms part of Labor’s cost-of-living platform in the lead-up to the next state election, with the Government stating the move is designed to reduce financial pressure on households facing rising expenses.
If implemented, the measure is projected to cost $300 million over four years. That figure includes an additional $148 million on top of the existing $152 million allocation that funds the school card program and the current $200 materials and services charge rebate available to all public school students. According to the Government, the funding would be provided directly to schools to offset the removal of fees and maintain service delivery.
“Public education sets our children and young people up for a good life, with access to the knowledge and skills they need to access secure, well-paid jobs. But the cost of public school fees is a struggle for many families. Families should not experience financial pressure to send their children to public school,” shared Peter Malinauskas.
“You shouldn’t need a credit card to send your kids to school. A re-elected Malinauskas Government will abolish school fees for every public school child from 2027 – saving families thousands. We will make accessing a quality education easier for South Australian families.”
“Access to public education is a fundamental right for all South Australians and a core principle of the Labor Party,” added Education Minister Blair Boyer. “The Malinauskas Labor Government has a strong record of supporting families with cost-of-living relief at public schools, like major discounts on school fees and free laptops for students on school card. And if re-elected, we will go a step further and make public school free for families.”
The commitment builds on several previously introduced initiatives aimed at easing school-related expenses. These include $100 materials and services discounts provided between 2022 and 2024, which will increase to $200 in 2025 and 2026, discounted school computers offering an average 15 per cent saving, and the expansion of the school sports voucher program to two $100 vouchers per child, now covering music lessons as well.
Other measures by the Government include a $10 student MetroCARD travel for 28 days, a $6.5 million expansion of school breakfast programs, and a $4 million contribution to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, supporting an additional 700 families annually. From next year, students on the school card program will also have access to free laptops in Years 7 and 10.
The proposal will form part of Labor’s policy platform at the upcoming election, with implementation contingent on the party securing another term in government.
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