When her husband died six years ago Mrs Layfield still wanted to be able to give her two teenage daughters the best opportunities in life.

The school offered her a part-time job but the cost of raising her two daughters on her own can still burn a whole in her pocket.

Last week Opposition Leader Tony Abbott announced an extension of the education tax rebate if the Coalition is elected.

He will increase its scope to include such things as school fees, camps and excursions, tutoring, extracurricular school activities and costs for students with special needs.

He trumped Prime Minister Julia Gillard's recent campaign promise to include school uniforms in the education tax refund.

The government introduced a policy in 2008 allowing a 50 per cent rebate on certain expenses.

The maximum rebate is $390 for primary school students and $779 for high school students.

Mr Abbot plans on increasing it to $500 and $1000, respectively.

He said many eligible parents missed out because it was inadequate and brushed it off as simply a ``laptop rebate''.

``The obvious flaw in Labor's policy is it only applies to stationery, computer expenses and uniforms,'' he said.

The Coalition's renewed policy will start on January 1, 2011 if elected. Parents would have to wait until 2012 for the rebate if the Labor Government is re-elected.

Mrs Layfield said Mr Abbott's pledge will swing her vote to the Liberals after being undecided but hopes it is not just a campaign promise.

Both her children are involved in extracurricular activities at the school including dancing. She said being able to claim half of the uniform cost will also help her.

Her neighbours on the other hand can't win either way because the rebate is means tested, so they miss out.

Adrian Noblett and his wife have six daughters and four attend William Carey.

The cost for three new uniforms last year cost him over $1000.

With his fifth child starting school next year and all the other costs for giving them the best education possible certainly pays a toll.

``I feel like we're constantly missing out on every incentive being rolled out for working families and we're forever paying for everyone else,'' he said.