For some children, returning to school after the summer break brings nerves alongside excitement. Professor Caroline Hunt, Head of the Clinical Psychology Unit in the School of Psychology says this is common, and that re‑establishing routine is often the turning point.

“It is natural for children to feel a bit more worried than usual about returning to school after a long holiday break. But this anxiety should settle once they get back in a school routine, so it is important for them to face their fears and not avoid them,” she said.

Professor Hunt also encourages parents to tune in to changes that might signal something has shifted socially at school, and to respond calmly if bullying is raised.

“If your child usually enjoys school but starts to want to avoid going, and seems quieter or more withdrawn than usual, it is important to ask them gently what might have changed. If they report being bullied, stay calm, listen, and ask them how they would like you to help them.”

Cost‑of‑living pressures continue to affect Australian families, and school fees remain a source of financial stress for many households.

Associate Professor Andrew Grant from the University of Sydney Business School says private school fees can place pressure on households because consequences can feel immediate, and processes vary across the sector.

“Unlike most household bills, private‑school fees carry the risk of a child losing their place if payments slip, and there’s no mandated hardship process to protect families,” he said.

“That combination makes school fees a de facto top‑priority debt, often paid ahead of credit cards, utilities or council rates. Many parents feel they have little choice but to keep these payments at the front of the queue to avoid disrupting their child’s education. Without consistent hardship requirements across the sector, families under pressure can end up relying on credit products or ad‑hoc arrangements just to stay enrolled.”

Tutoring demand is also rising across Australia, particularly in NSW. Dr Ben Zunica in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work says parents should look for alignment between tutor expertise and student needs: 

“A good starting point is understanding what your child needs, whether that’s extra support, more confidence or help staying engaged,” Dr Zunica said. 

“From there, parents can look for a tutor whose skills and experience align with those goals and who offers clear communication about how they work. Safety checks and qualifications matter, and meeting a tutor beforehand can make all the difference in finding the right fit. At its best, tutoring strengthens what happens in the classroom and helps children feel supported as learners."

One of the major education concerns in 2026 is the growing lack of civics knowledge among Australian students. National testing shows many Year 10 students do not understand how Australia’s democracy works.

Professor Murray Print in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work says Australia’s civics problem is a curriculum problem, and the fix is already known: 

“Australian students are leaving school without a basic understanding of how Australia’s democracy works, and that’s a real concern as we head into a new school year. We already have a strong civics and citizenship curriculum, but it isn’t taught as a dedicated subject in many states, so students miss out on learning about democratic values, social cohesion and civility,” Professor Print said. 

“The solution is simple and already recommended by federal and state inquiries: make civics a stand‑alone, mandatory subject. Giving young people a solid grounding in democracy during their school years is one of the most powerful and sensible ways to strengthen Australia’s democratic future.”

And alongside civic capability, physical capability matters too, especially in a country defined by beaches, pools and waterways.