Community survey - school out-of-pocket expenses

I'm conducting a community survey about out-of-pocket expenses in state schools in Queensland.

As a state MP, I hear stories frequently about how hard it is for families to cover school expenses, even in the state education system, which should be free. The cost for things like uniforms, books and pens, laptops and excursions, can really add up.

So I can give the best possible feedback to the government, I'd love to capture as many views and experiences as possible from parents, guardians and carers of kids at state schools right across Queensland.

The survey is totally anonymous.

Once complete, we'll send the survey results to the Minister for Education and the Premier, and share them with the community, to keep fighting for an education system which is genuinely free.

Question Title

* 1. What kind of school do your kids attend?

A state primary school

A state high school

Another kind of school - please specify

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* 2. How affordable do you find the out-of-pocket expenses associated with your child or children's schooling?

Very Affordable - We can very easily pay these expenses without it affecting our budget.

Fairly Affordable - We can usually pay these expenses without it affecting our budget.

Neutral - Paying these expenses sometimes affects my family budget.

Unaffordable - We have to make some financial sacrifices in order to pay these expenses.

Very unaffordable - We have to make serious financial sacrifices to pay these expenses.

Very Affordable - We can very easily pay these expenses without it affecting our budget.

Fairly Affordable - We can usually pay these expenses without it affecting our budget.

Neutral - Paying these expenses sometimes affects my family budget.

Unaffordable - We have to make some financial sacrifices in order to pay these expenses.

Very unaffordable - We have to make serious financial sacrifices to pay these expenses.

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* 3. How do you feel about the out-of-pocket expenses associated with your child's or children's schooling?

Great - Families should definitely pay to help cover costs at state schools.

Good - Families should pay some to help cover some costs at state schools.

Neutral - Costs to families are neither good nor bad.

Poor - Families shouldn't pay to cover so many costs at state schools.

Very poor - Families definitely should not pay to cover any costs at state schools.

Great - Families should definitely pay to help cover costs at state schools.

Good - Families should pay some to help cover some costs at state schools.

Neutral - Costs to families are neither good nor bad.

Poor - Families shouldn't pay to cover so many costs at state schools.

Very poor - Families definitely should not pay to cover any costs at state schools.

Question Title

* 4. For each child you have at a state primary school, how much would you estimate you spend each year? You can provide an overall cost estimate, or estimates for individual costs.

Annual cost estimate

School levy

Subject levies

Extracurricular sports

School resources (books, pens)

Uniforms

Fundraising

iPads or laptops

Excursions

Other

Question Title

* 5. For each child you have at a state high school, how much would you estimate you spend each year? You can provide an overall cost estimate, or estimates for individual costs.

Annual cost estimate

School levy

Subject levies

Extracurricular sports fees

School resources (books, pens)

Uniforms

Fundraising

iPads or laptops

Excursions

Other

Question Title

* 6. Have you ever needed to access help to pay these expenses? Examples include a payment plan, assistance from the school or P&C, help from another organisation or anything else? Please provide details.

Yes (provide details if you can)

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* 7. Do you feel that your child's school receives insufficient funding? The Federal Government are expected to pay 20% of state school costs, and the state Government is expected to pay the additional 80% - but at the moment, they are only paying around 69%.

No - The school is not at all underfunded, and has all the resources and funding that it needs.

Mostly no - While there may be areas for improvement, I don't consider the school underfunded.

Neutral - There are some areas where additional funding would be beneficial.

Somewhat yes - The school has some areas where it is underfunded.

Yes - The school is clearly underfunded and there is a clear lack of resources and staff.

No - The school is not at all underfunded, and has all the resources and funding that it needs.

Mostly no - While there may be areas for improvement, I don't consider the school underfunded.

Neutral - There are some areas where additional funding would be beneficial.

Somewhat yes - The school has some areas where it is underfunded.

Yes - The school is clearly underfunded and there is a clear lack of resources and staff.

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* 8. How do you feel about private schools getting public money? Do you think it's fair that private schools receive government money while state schools remain underfunded?

Very Fair - I think it's very fair that private schools get public funding.

Fair - I think it's fair that private schools get public funding.

Neutral - It's neither fair nor unfair.

Unfair - I think it's unfair that private schools get public funding.

Very Unfair - I think it's very unfair that private schools get public funding.

Very Fair - I think it's very fair that private schools get public funding.

Fair - I think it's fair that private schools get public funding.

Neutral - It's neither fair nor unfair.

Unfair - I think it's unfair that private schools get public funding.

Very Unfair - I think it's very unfair that private schools get public funding.

Community survey - school out-of-pocket expenses

Question Title

* 1. What kind of school do your kids attend?

Question Title

* 2. How affordable do you find the out-of-pocket expenses associated with your child or children's schooling?

Question Title

* 3. How do you feel about the out-of-pocket expenses associated with your child's or children's schooling?

Question Title

* 4. For each child you have at a state primary school, how much would you estimate you spend each year? You can provide an overall cost estimate, or estimates for individual costs.

Question Title

* 5. For each child you have at a state high school, how much would you estimate you spend each year? You can provide an overall cost estimate, or estimates for individual costs.

Question Title

* 6. Have you ever needed to access help to pay these expenses? Examples include a payment plan, assistance from the school or P&C, help from another organisation or anything else? Please provide details.

Question Title

* 7. Do you feel that your child's school receives insufficient funding? The Federal Government are expected to pay 20% of state school costs, and the state Government is expected to pay the additional 80% - but at the moment, they are only paying around 69%.

Question Title

* 8. How do you feel about private schools getting public money? Do you think it's fair that private schools receive government money while state schools remain underfunded?

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* 9. Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experiences with out-of-pocket school expenses?

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* 10. What postcode do you live in?