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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Brooke Maddison

Back-to-school shopping on a budget: savvy ways parents can save on costs

A calculator and pencils on a grey background
Look for deals and savings when buying back-to-school supplies. Photograph: Maryna Terletska/Getty Images

Everything adds up when it comes to the cost of sending children to school in Australia. From school fees and technology to uniforms, stationery, backpacks and lunchboxes, plus hidden expenses including excursions, transport and internet access, the cost in 2025 is set to equate to a whopping $13.6bn nationally, according to Finder.

The comparison site’s back-to-school report puts the average yearly cost of sending children to primary and secondary school at $2,671 and $5,043 respectively, with school fees, supplies and digital devices the biggest strain on the wallet.

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