South Australian families are set to benefit from the abolition of state school fees, with the Malinauskas Government introducing legislation to parliament to make public schooling genuinely free from the start of the 2027 school year. The reforms will affect around 90,000 families and more than 110,000 students across the state, delivering combined savings estimated at $64 million in 2027 alone.
What the Changes Mean for South Australian Families
Currently, families with children at public schools are required to pay annual materials and services charges, despite public schooling being commonly described as free. On average, those charges amount to around $382 per year for primary school students and $723 per year for secondary students, costs that add up quickly for households with multiple children.
Under the proposed legislation, those charges will be removed entirely. Schools will continue to receive the same level of funding, with the state government stepping in to cover what families previously paid. Over four years, combined savings from the fee abolition and existing support measures are expected to reach $300 million.
For Adelaide father Steve Halls, who has four school-aged children and sits on a school governing council, the timing is welcome.
"This change will make a huge difference to our family, but also to many other families across the high school community," he said. "It's one less cost for parents to worry about and will help ease pressure on household budgets."
Government Says Reforms Remove Barriers to Quality Education
Education Minister Lucy Hood framed the move as a direct response to ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing South Australian households.
"South Australian families continue to face cost-of-living pressures, making it more important than ever that public education remains genuinely accessible," she said. "These landmark reforms put money directly back into the pockets of families and remove barriers that shouldn't get in the way of a quality education."
Hood noted the legislation builds on a series of earlier measures introduced by the government, including school fee discounts, sports vouchers, free Year 7 camps, laptop support programs and expanded school breakfast programs. The fee abolition represents the next step in that progression.
"We first discounted school fees, now we're stepping up to remove them altogether," she said.
The proposed laws would enshrine a Labor election commitment to deliver fee-free public schooling from Reception through to Year 12. Families on low incomes who qualify for the School Card scheme will continue to receive additional support for specialist subjects and programs not covered by the broader changes.
Schools Welcome the Legislation
Woodville High School principal Anna Mirasgentis said the reforms would ease real financial stress for many families in her community.
"This legislation will help take some of that financial pressure off parents and make a real difference to families across our school community," she said. "We want every student to have the opportunity to get involved, make the most of their education and take part in everything school has to offer, and this is a positive step towards making that easier for families."
The sentiment reflects a broader concern that even modest annual fees can act as a practical barrier for some students, limiting their participation in school life and activities.
What Happens Next
The legislation was introduced to the South Australian parliament in mid-October, with the changes set to take effect at the beginning of the 2027 school year. If passed, the laws will lock in fee-free public education as a permanent entitlement rather than a policy that could be wound back by future governments.
For families already feeling the squeeze, the prospect of eliminating hundreds of dollars in annual school costs offers some relief. South Australian households have faced a range of financial pressures in recent years, making any reduction in everyday costs a meaningful development for many.
