Walk through any Australian school and you'll find branded merchandise everywhere: School uniforms, sporting gear, orientation packs, staff lanyards, awards and end-of-year gifts. However, the way education institutions view these items has shifted significantly. Merchandise is no longer simply a branding exercise. For many schools, TAFEs and universities, it has become a purposeful tool for fostering belonging, recognising contribution and reinforcing community values.
From curated university orientation packs to house spirit apparel, sporting medals and staff recognition gifts, educational institutions are increasingly asking a more intentional question: What do we want this item to communicate about us, and how do we want the recipient to feel?
APPA's recent Industry Research backs this shift with real data. For education buyers, this raises important questions around procurement, product quality, sustainability, safety and sourcing.
APPA was pleased to collaborate with Education Australia on this article for the Education Australia Resource Guide 2026, helping to raise awareness of the importance of branded merchandise and uniforms within the education sector. The article shares insights and practical guidance to help education buyers understand the value of these products and make informed decisions when selecting the right solutions for their schools and organisations.
Read the full article, including APPA's simple framework for education buyers, on page 59 of the Education Australia Resource Guide 2026.
