Before relocating to Australia, I envisioned a future full of hope and opportunity for my children, anchored by the belief in the power of education. However, as a migrant single mother on a bridging visa, the reality has been a far cry from what I expected. Each school term presents financial anxiety due to the unaffordable public school fees that my children, like many others, are unfairly subjected to as they are classified as international students.

Children are the future of our nation and their education should not be compromised due to bureaucratic policies that don't account for the financial struggles faced by migrant single parents. Studies have shown that education plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic mobility of individuals and entire communities. Yet, despite these known benefits, Australian policies continue to place an unfair financial burden on single parents who are striving to provide the best start for their young ones.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of single-parent families is constantly on the rise, with a significant portion represented by migrant families. These numbers underlie the urgent need for policy reform that recognizes the unique challenges faced by this demographic. Current policies not only strain the limited economic resources of single parents but also risk denying innocent children the fundamental right to education.

We propose that the Australian Federal Government reviews and reforms the policy to waive public school fees for children under the age of 16 who are dependents of single parents on bridging visas. Such a change would alleviate financial pressure on already stretched households and solidify Australia’s commitment to education as a fundamental right for every child, irrespective of their legal or socio-economic status.

By signing this petition, you are helping us urge the Federal Government to take immediate action to create a more equitable system that supports, rather than penalizes, single-parent families and acknowledges education as an essential building block for the future. Please sign and share this petition to bring hope and relief to migrant single mothers and safeguard the educational futures of their children.