Real Support Right Now
The Victorian Government has policies and programs in schools to help your family with the cost of living.
Check with your child’s school to see if they offer these programs.
School Breakfast Clubs - Starting Term 2.
More than 1,200 Victorian public schools have a School Breakfast Club program.
School Breakfast Clubs offer:
- healthy breakfasts for all students
- nutritious lunches, snacks and take-home packs for students who need them
- cooking classes for families at eligible schools.
Foodbank Victoria have provided more than 60 million meals in schools since the program began in 2016.
Each school breakfast club is run by the school, for the school. Check with your child's school about School Breakfast Clubs.
To learn more, visit School Breakfast Clubs program(opens in a new window).
More affordable uniforms - Second hand uniform Shop
From 2026, uniforms at Victorian public schools with a dress code cannot include school logos on pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings or socks. This helps reduce uniform costs for families.
Schools can also help families by:
- providing options for more affordable uniforms, such as second-hand uniforms or lower-cost alternatives
- referring families facing difficulty to State Schools’ Relief for help under the Affordable School Uniforms program.
Ask your school for support if you are having difficulty with the cost of school uniforms.
To learn more, visit: School uniforms(opens in a new window).
Free period products - available in toilet
Free pads and tampons are available in every Victorian public primary, secondary and specialist school.
Access to free period products helps:
- students participate in class and school activities
- reduce period stigma and anxiety
- families with the cost of living.
Pads and tampons are available in dispensers at school for students who need them. Check with your school about the location of the dispensers.
To learn more, visit: Free period products in all government schools(opens in a new window).
Glasses for Kids - we are investigating if we are eligible
The Glasses for Kids program offers free vision screening for Prep to Year 3 students at eligible schools. Students can also get further free vision testing and glasses if they need them.
State Schools' Relief runs the program in targeted schools across Victoria. Your school will contact you about free vision screening if it is eligible.
Select schools are eligible for the Glasses for Kids program and are visited by the program on a rolling basis. Ask your child's school if they are taking part.
Getting glasses through the Glasses for Kids program can help your child to see better. This makes it easier for them to learn, read and play at school. Good vision helps children do their best in class and feel more confident every day.
The program is optional. Parental consent is required before students take part.
To learn more, visit: Glasses for Kids(opens in a new window).
Smile Squad dental checks - booked for Term 3
Smile Squad provides free dental care for all Victorian public school students.
It offers:
- free oral health packs, check-ups and follow up treatment
- check-ups at your child's school during school time.
If your child’s school chooses to participate, they will let parents and carers know when Smile Squad will be visiting. The program is optional. Parental consent is required before students take part.
To learn more, visit: Smile Squad(opens in a new window).
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families with the costs of:
- school camps or trips
- sporting activities organised by the school
- excursions and incursions
- outdoor education programs.
Eligible families can submit an application to their child’s school.
The amount that eligible families receive increased to $400 per child from 1 January 2026.
To learn more, visit Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund(opens in a new window).