Low-income families cannot afford mandatory back-to-school supplies, forcing children to start school unprepared

Australian families, particularly those in regional and rural areas, lack sufficient funds to purchase required school supplies like uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and technology equipment before the school year begins. This creates immediate stress for parents who must choose between essential supplies and other necessities, while children face educational disadvantage and potential social stigma from day one. Current solutions like school payment plans and charity donations are insufficient, fragmented, and don't address the systemic affordability gap.