Affordable School Uniforms

A school uniform should identify a school, not lock families into buying every basic item from one supplier.

Many families spend well over $1,000 per child once they buy several shirts, socks, shorts or skirts, PE gear and replacements. In 2025, 38,000 WINZ hardship loans worth $11 million were issued to help families meet the cost.

Some state schools require everyday items to be bought from one approved supplier, even when an equivalent item is available at an ordinary retailer for much less. There is no educational reason for a logo to make a pair of navy socks cost several times more.

ACT will:

• Amend the Education and Training Act to limit state schools to a maximum of three compulsory branded uniform items.

• Require schools to offer generic alternatives for high-use items such as shorts, pants, skirts, skorts and socks.

• Let families buy those generic items from standard clothing retailers.

• Keep room for schools to choose a small number of branded items that preserve their identity and traditions.

• Exclude sports uniforms, team strips, kapa haka uniforms and tracksuits from the new rules.

In our team’s words:

ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure says:

“Many families are spending well over $1,000 per child once they buy several shirts, socks, shorts or skirts, PE gear, and replacements. Last year the Government issued 38,000 WINZ hardship loans worth $11 million for school uniforms. Parents should not have to go into debt for clothing that costs far more than it needs to.

“There is no educational reason for a pair of navy socks to cost three times as much because it has to come from one supplier. More competition and choice could put hundreds of dollars back in parents’ pockets without changing what children wear to school.”