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How school canteen prices compare across Australia

By Naomi White|

A?h, lunch orders. A great go-to for busy parents and a win for excited kids eager to take their pick of canteen staples to tuck into come lunchtime.

But what you pay for those lunches, and the menus on offer, differs greatly depending on what school you're at.

So how does the cost of your tasty treat compare with 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 around the nation.

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Sometimes packing a school lunch is just one 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 at Fairfield Heights Public School, the same item costs $5.80. And in Sydney's south, Kogarah Public School's wrap goes for $5.00.

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

Higher school fees don't equate to higher canteen prices at some of Sydney's elite private schools.

Canteen prices around Australia - price of chicken wraps compared.
How the price of chicken wraps compares at canteens around 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 sell their chicken and salad sandwich for the same price.

Meanwhile, on the state's far south coast, Eden Public School sells a chicken tenders wrap 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 includes a drink, meal (i.e. pasta with bolognaise or six nuggets) plus a muffin or cookie.

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

Closer to the city, Fitzroy North Primary School offers dim 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 tenders wrap 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 is $4, a sausage roll is $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 hotdog 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.

Canteen prices around Australia - price of meat pies compared.
The price of a canteen meat pie varies significantly from one school to the next. (Graphic: Tara Blancato)

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

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

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Northern Territory

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

In Darwin, Nightcliff Primary, a meat pie goes for $5, butter chicken and rice $6 and hotdogs $4.

M?ackillop 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 Primary School?, in the state's central north, spag bol sells for $4.50, a chicken and salad wrap is $4.50, as is a pie.

At Sacred Heart College?, Hobart, a chicken salad wrap is $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 is $5, as is 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 greatly evolved in the last few years. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Good Shepard Catholic School in Rasmussen sells hotdogs 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 chili 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 is $6.50, pie $4.50 and mac and cheese $5.50. While at Saints Peter and Paul Primary School pasta and sauce is $3, nachos are $4.50 and a chicken schnitzel burger is $4.50.

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While some prices were similar across menus, others fluctuated 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, at Bull Creek Primary School ?pasta with bolognese and garlic bread is $6.50, teriyaki chicken and rice is $7 and a chicken and salad wrap is $4.80.

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

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