As cost-of-living and fuel prices continue to climb, a new national survey by The Smith Family reveals that most Australians believe tackling childhood poverty should be one of the nation’s top priorities.
The Smith Family’s 2026 Community Attitudes Survey (CAS) found that more than four in five Australians think providing extra support for students experiencing disadvantage is key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Chief Executive Officer Doug Taylor said the findings show Australians understand the barriers faced by students in need and recognise that addressing educational inequality requires a collective effort.
“Parents are doing their best, but cost-of-living pressures are making it harder for them to afford all the school essentials their child needs to make the most of educational opportunities,” Mr Taylor said.
He added that a recent survey of families supported by The Smith Family found nine out of ten had cut back on other expenses, including school essentials, to cope with rising fuel costs.
“Tackling educational inequality is the key to breaking the cycle of disadvantage, so we need to ensure students have the support and resources to make the most of their schooling opportunities,” he said.
The CAS was released today to coincide with the launch of The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal campaign, Poverty, Hidden in Plain Sight. The appeal aims to raise $8,225,000 to support the charity’s education programs, including Learning Clubs, Student2Student, Work Inspiration and SmArts.
Survey respondents also highlighted the challenges faced by children and young people experiencing disadvantage, with many saying it is harder for them to:
- Stay engaged with school (79%)
- Keep up with learning (81%)
- Keep up with their peers in the classroom (77%)
- Participate in excursions and extracurricular activities (77%)
Learning Clubs, one of The Smith Family’s key programs, provide after-school tutoring in small groups to help students with homework and assessments. Around four in five students involved in the program reported improved school attendance, better classroom performance, and greater confidence and engagement.
Mr Taylor said programs like these are vital in helping students build the skills and confidence they need tosucceed.
“We may not always see disadvantage, but children and young people experiencing it feel the impacts every day – particularly at school,” he said. “The Smith Family’s evidence-based programs help students stay engaged and keep up with their peers, but we can only deliver these programs thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters.”
He encouraged Australians to support the Winter Appeal, saying, “An investment in a student today pays dividends for all of us in the future.”
Donations can be made at thesmithfamily.com.au/donate.
The 2026 Community Attitudes Survey was conducted by Essential Research, with data provided by QuestionPro, and included responses from 1,002 Australians.
