Cost shifting in education: implications for government, the community sector and low-income families

This report commissioned by the Equity in Education Alliance seeks to quantify in dollars the extent to which the Victorian community service organisations, including emergency relief providers, assist disadvantaged families to meet school education expenses.

This costs data supports the argument that the cost of education has been shifted from the state to the individual, and that these costs are then shifted a second time, when disadvantaged families seek help from the community sector.

In the Alliance’s view, failure to address educational inequity and ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation shows a lack of regard for human dignity, impedes the future economic and social inclusion of children and threatens the success of the national productivity agenda.