Canteen food prices in schools across Australia, compared

Ah, lunch orders. A good push for busy parents and a win for excited kids eager to pick their choice of canteen staples to tuck into at lunch.

But what you pay for those lunches, and the menus offered, vary greatly depending on which school you are at.

So how does the cost of your tasty treat compare to those sold in canteens across Australia? 9Honey took a look at what’s on offer to find out.

From butter chicken to chicken wraps and the humble meat pie, here’s a breakdown of costs across the country.

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Sometimes packing a school lunch is just a step too far. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)New South Wales

Across Sydney: At Mosman Public School, a chicken wrap (with lettuce, cheese, mayo) will set you back $4.50, while the same item at Fairfield Heights Public School costs $5.80. And in Sydney’s south, Kogarah Public School’s cover costs $5.00.

The same schools offer a meat pie for $5.50, $4.60 and $5.50, respectively.

Higher school fees do not equate to higher canteen prices at some of Sydney’s elite private schools.

How the price of chicken wraps compare at canteens in Australia. (Graphic: Tara Blancato)

Shore School in North Sydney offers weekday specials including a beef burger with tomato and cheese, nachos, butter chicken with rice and penne bolognaise for $6.00.

Looking regionally, Dubbo West Public School offers a meat pie for $4, and sells their chicken and salad sandwich for the same price.

Meanwhile, on the state’s far south coast, Eden Public School is selling chicken wraps for $4 and hamburgers for $4.50.

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Victoria

In Melbourne’s western suburbs, Sunshine Primary School offers meal deals for $7, which include a drink, meal (ie pasta with bolognaise or six nuggets) plus a muffin or cookie.

Menu prices varied greatly between schools across the country. (Getty)

Closer to the city, Fitzroy North Primary School offers dof sims (eight) for $4.50 and a baked potato with cheese and yoghurt for $5.50.

At St Brigid’s College, Horsham you can buy a chicken tender paper for $6, dim sims for $1 each and a hot dog for $3.

In Shepparton East Primary School, near the NSW border, a chicken and salad wrap costs $4, a sausage roll $2.80 and pasta bake $3.90.

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South Australia

East Adelaide School sells a butter chicken and rice for $6.20, a hot dog for $3.60 and a meat pie for $5.80. At Lonsdale Heights Public School, a crispy chicken wrap is $3 and mac and cheese is $3.50.

The price of a canteen meat pie varies considerably from one school to the next. (Graphic: Tara Blancato)

St Aloysius in Adelaide sells their chicken schnitzel wrap for $6.80, butter chicken and nachos for $6.50.

Regionally, at Coober Pedy Area School, a hot dog is $6, and a chicken and salad wrap is $6.50.

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Northern Territory

At Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs, a chicken and salad sandwich costs $7, while a pie costs $4.

In Darwin, Nightcliff Primary, a meat pie costs $5, butter chicken and rice $6 and hot dogs $4.

Mackillop Catholic College in Palmerston sells a chicken Caesar wrap for $7, pie for $5 and pizza for $6.

Hamburgers were a popular menu item. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Tasmania

Deloraine Elementary School, in the state’s north central, sells spag bol for $4.50, a chicken and salad wrap is $4.50, as is a pie.

At Sacred Heart College, Hobart, a chicken salad wrap costs $6.50, pie $5 and burgers start from $3.70.

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Queensland

At Brisbane’s New Farm State School, a chicken and salad sandwich costs $5, as does a pizza. At Marsden State School, located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a large pie is $4.20, a pizza $3 and a chicken sandwich $3.50.

School canteens have developed a lot in the last few years. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Good Shepard Catholic School in Rasmussen sells hot dogs for $3.50, a chicken burger for $4.50 and a pie for $4.

At Richmond State School, in rural Queensland, a plain pie will cost parents $6, while a sweet chilli chicken wrap is a rather steep $9.50. And Freshwater State School, near Cairns, sells chicken teriyaki and rice for $5, and a BLT toastie is $4.70.

Australian Capital Territory

At Canberra’s Gilmore Primary School, a chicken wrap costs $6.50, pie $4.50 and mac and cheese $5.50. While pasta and sauce at Saints Peter and Paul Elementary is $3, nachos are $4.50 and a chicken schnitzel burger is $4.50.

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While some prices on menus were the same, others varied greatly. (Getty) Western Australia

Rockingham Senior High School has a sweet chili chicken wrap for $5, a large pie for $4.50 and spaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread for $5.

Meanwhile, pasta with bolognese and garlic bread at Bull Creek Elementary is $6.50, teriyaki chicken and rice is $7 and a chicken and salad wrap is $4.80.

Disclaimer: Although the prices vary, 9Honey has not reviewed the items, so a variation in portion sizes may account for a difference in price, as well as less access to fresh ingredients in regional areas. Although all menus were as current as we could find, prices may change with the new school year.

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