Mother Tracey Golledge said she had to make purchases for her four school-aged children including David, 6, who is heading into grade 1 at Launceston Christian School, and Kaitlin in year 9, Lachlan in year 10 and Brayden in year 12.

Mrs Golledge said her combined back to school costs including uniforms, stationery and textbooks would total more than $800.

This does not include school fees and the extra costs for tablet devices.

She said the family tried as much as possible to buy second-hand uniforms or received hand-me down clothes and items from friends in order to keep the costs down.

"It becomes very costly in a one-income family," she said.

"We go without sometimes to send our kids to a good school . . . You have to stretch [the budget] as much as you can."

Targetts Schoolwear and Footwear owner Malcolm Gardner said the week leading up to the start of the school year was the busiest period.

He said many parents also chose to lay-by clothes back in November to try and spread the costs.

The Smith Family estimates that the cost of sending a child to school, from uniforms and stationery to school fees and charges, was up to $2000 a child every year.

The charity's Tasmania general manager Alison Standen said such costs were causing significant stress among vulnerable families, with the organisation receiving feedback that public schooling costs are spiralling out of control.

Uniform: $51.00

Sport shirt: $26.99

Shorts/skirt: $25.99

Jumper: $30.99

Socks, two pairs: $10

Shoes: $8

Hat: $6

Drink bottle: $3

School bag: $50

Lunchbox: $6.50

Pencil case: $2

Stationary: $15

USB: $3.95

**Costs estimated by The Smith Family