Secondary students at government schools would be given free textbooks under a Liberal Nationals state government.
The move would save Victorian families with two kids in high school an estimated $1000 a year.
The Free School Books for Students program will not be capped on the number of students per family, nor is it means tested.
The opposition has promised to be begin giving out free textbooks in 2020, if it wins the November state poll.
It plans to phase in the program over two years by year level starting in 2020 with Stage 1 for students in years 7-9 and Stage 2 for students in years 10-12.
It will provide funding to government schools to purchase school textbooks, with students expected to maintain the books and return them in good condition at the end of the semester or year.
While this policy mainly applies to hard copy textbooks, the department would also work with schools to improve the procurement of texts in digital format.
“Most families do it a little tougher after Christmas and at the start of the school year with all the added expenses,” Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said in a statement.
“The Free School Books for Students program will ease the financial squeeze for parents of secondary students at government schools.”
Over the course of secondary school, families stand to benefit up to $2,856 or on average around $476 per year, according to the opposition.
It stated that, if re-elected, a quarter of Victorian families would pay nothing for three year-old kinder while those with a higher income would have 65 per cent of fees covered.
Under Labor’s plan, every Victorian child would have access to at least five hours of subsidised three-year-old kindergarten by 2022.
