Parent Payments in Victorian Government Schools

The following answers some of the regularly asked questions about the costs to families in sending your child to a government school in Victoria. And provides further details about the types of payments that schools can request from parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is free about education?

Victorian legislation provides that instruction in the standard curriculum program must be provided free to all students in Victorian government schools. Free instruction includes the provision of learning and teaching activities, instructional supports, materials and resources, and administration and facilities associated with the standard curriculum program.

What is the standard curriculum program?

The standard curriculum program is made up of the eight key learning areas agreed to by all the States and Territories and the Commonwealth. These are the arts, English, health and physical education, languages other than English, mathematics, science, studies of society and environment and technology. 

The standard curriculum program includes the core learning and teaching activities associated with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and senior secondary certificates such as VCE and VCAL and VET programs that are part of VCE or VCAL.

Does free instruction still apply to senior secondary certificates such as VCE and VCAL including VET in schools programs?

Yes.  Free instruction would still apply as the standard curriculum program includes the senior secondary certificates such as VCE and VCAL.  VET in Schools programs are part of VCE and VCAL and therefore instruction is free.  Costs that could be considered instruction, instructional support, instructional resources, instructional administration or school facilities cannot be charged for.

If the student consumes or takes possession of an item/service which supports the free instruction in the standard curriculum program, this is an essential educational item for which payment may be sought.  

This includes the purchase of materials for a VET program such as wood for making stools in VET furnishing.  However, if the wood is being purchased to make a gazebo that the student does not take home, then this is not an essential education item and the student may not be charged.

Can I be charged for the administration of the standard curriculum program?

No. The costs associated with the administration and coordination of the standard curriculum program are considered to be part of free instruction and must not be passed onto parents.

What are parents and guardians required to pay for?

You can be asked to pay for essential education items including:

• items which students take possession of, including text books and student stationery
• materials for learning and teaching where your child consumes or takes possession of the finished articles (for example, home economics, ceramics, photography, catering)
• school uniform (where applicable)
• travel costs incurred in the course of receiving the instruction from a teacher or other person
• essential services associated with, but not considered to be part of, 'instruction' in the standard curriculum program, such as costs associated with camps and excursions which all students are expected to attend (for example, transport and entrance costs).

How are the essential education items purchased?

Schools will offer to purchase these items on your behalf although you have the option of purchasing equivalent materials from other sources. If you choose to provide equivalent materials, this should be done in consultation with the school, and should meet the specifications provided by the school. Some items, for example food provisions for home economics, may only be provided by the school.

What do the optional extra items consist of?

Optional extras are those that are provided in addition to the ‘standard curriculum program’, and which are offered to all students. These optional extras are provided on a user-pays basis and if you choose to access them for your child you will be required to pay for them. These items include:

• instructional supports, resources and administration beyond the provision of the standard curriculum program (for example, student computer printing for personal use, internet access for recreational or non-school use, and religious education materials)
• extra-curricular programs or activities offered in addition to the standard curriculum program (for example, instrumental music tuition)
• entry fees for school run performances, productions and events
• materials for subjects where the payment sought is the difference between the basic materials or services required for the standard curriculum program and higher cost alternatives which may be more desirable (for example, requesting payment for the use of mahogany in woodwork instead of the standard pine)
• materials and services offered in addition to the ‘standard curriculum program’ (for example, school magazines or school photographs)
• school facilities and equipment not associated with provision of the ‘standard curriculum program’, and not otherwise provided for through the School Resources Package (for example, student accident insurance, and hire/lease of equipment such as musical instruments or notebook computers). 

What are voluntary financial contributions?

Schools may invite voluntary financial contributions for the following:

• contributions to a building or a library trust fund (ATO approved and tax deductible)
• contributions for a specific purpose identified by the school (for example, equipment, materials or services in addition to those funded through the Student Resource Package. This may include additional computers or student-related services)
• general voluntary financial contributions or donations to the school.

Can a school make repeated requests for voluntary financial contributions?

No. Requests for voluntary financial contributions are limited to the initial notice to all parents and guardians and one reminder notice. It is not acceptable to use coercion or to harass parents and guardians for any payments.

Can my child be denied access to the standard curriculum program on the basis of me not paying these charges?

No, all students must have access to the standard curriculum program. Schools all have policies that ensure students are not treated differently, denied access to the ‘standard curriculum program’, or refused instruction on the basis of payments not being made for essential education items, optional extras or voluntary financial contributions.

Principals must ensure any record of payments or contributions is confidential. The public identification of students or their parents or guardians who have or have not made a payment or contribution is unacceptable and must not occur in any circumstances.

What support is available to help me pay these charges?

A range of support options are available, including:

• The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to low income families to assist with the cost of educating their children. One half of the EMA is paid directly to you through the school; the other half of the EMA is paid to the school.  Parents and schools should work together in determining how this allowance should be spent. For more information, see Education Maintenance Allowance
• The School Start Bonus is to assist parents and guardians of Prep and Year 7 students in meeting the start-up costs of sending their child to school. For more information, see: School Start Bonus
• Access to State Schools’ Relief Committee support via the Principal which can assist with clothing/uniforms.
• A range of welfare and support agencies that have established partnership arrangements with schools.  Your school can be contacted for further information.

More information

• Information detailing the Department's policy on determining parent payments in Victorian government schools, see: Parent Payments in Government Schools
• For information specific to your child's school contact the school directly or contact your regional office, see: Regional Offices