Material and Service Charges
Information sheet for R–12 school families The State Government has committed to removing universal materials and services charges from 2027 as part of its cost-of-living measures for South Australian families. Schools will not lose under this policy. This initiative will be funded by the State Government and your school will be provided with the funding that it would have received through the universal materials and services charge. Your school will also continue to receive funding to meet the needs of students and to staff classrooms.
Legislative changes are still required before the new arrangements can take effect. This information is provided to support families to plan for 2027.
Families will not be required to pay the universal materials and services charge, however your school will be able to continue to set fees to recover costs for those individual subjects that form part of your school’s curriculum that are optional for students/families to choose from. For these schools, subject choice continues to be an important aspect of the curriculum offering and these fees will not include core costs, which will continue to be funded by government, for example teacher salaries.
School card information for secondary school students
Secondary school families should continue to apply for the school card program, where eligibility provides assistance with other school related costs, like free devices for year 7 and 10 school card eligible students and where optional or specialist subjects are chosen.
School card information for primary school students
The initiative will avoid the need for primary school families to apply for school card and this will reduce administrative burden for families and the school.
Families will continue to pay for items such as uniforms, digital devices and optional excursions, as has always been the case.
Please note that the discontinuation of the universal materials and services charge applies with effect from the 2027 school year. Any outstanding charges should continue to be paid, and your school can work with you if there are any issues.
This initiative does not apply to international or non-resident students and separate advice will be provided in due course.
The focus of this policy is for schools. The current fee arrangements for preschools will continue. Should you have any queries regarding the information provided, please contact the department on 1800 088 158 (free call).
Government of South Australia
Department for Education