Coming into effect from 2026 and announced today by Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll, the major change to the student dress code policy aims to make uniforms cheaper.
It follows consultation with families, schools and suppliers which found that branded, customised items – those with logos, stripes or other markings – are the biggest contributor to uniform costs, particularly if the items are used daily and replaced often.
These branded items are more expensive and can usually only be purchased from one provider.
Compared to ‘generic’ store alternatives, some individual branded items were found to be up to $56 more.
“School costs can add up, and that’s why we’re helping with uniform costs and saying goodbye to expensive branded shorts, skirts, trackies and socks,” Carroll said.
Not all government schools require branded shorts, pants, skirts and socks, but many do and often parents must either pay up or risk their child falling foul of school rules.
Under these changes, standard and unbranded becomes the rule.
Premier Jacinta Allan said parents are doing it tough at present and her Government is making sure they have one less thing to worry about.
“Government school uniforms should be worn with pride, but we need to make sure they’re affordable for families,” she said.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said schools can continue to have branding on hats, tops, shirts, dresses and jackets.
“Everything from the waist up – because it’s important for school pride, making sure all kids walk into schools as equals, and recognising students in a crowd,” the spokesperson said.
Not-for-profit organisation State Schools’ Relief (SSR), which provides government school students in Victoria with new uniforms, footwear and educational resources, in last year's annual report shared that a record 94,165 applications for support had been received last year from 1344 schools.
Amongst a range of items supplied to schools by SSR were 25,569 pairs of school shoes, 28,700 socks briefs and singlets, 45,284 pairs of pants and shorts and 4604 hats and beanies.
In addition to the directive to transition away from branded pants, shorts, skirts, and socks, the updated statewide student dress code policy will require schools and school councils to ensure that their student uniform is affordable.
The Victorian Education Department said it will be assisting them to review and update student dress codes and consult their school communities as part of their review process.
Schools that need to make changes to uniform items as part of their dress code policy update will implement them from the start of the 2026 school year, the Department said.
There will be transitional arrangements to ensure that uniforms already purchased can continue to be worn.
The Government said its $70.3 million investment into SSR has also supported more than 23,000 government school students with the Affordable School Uniform Program since 2024.
