PARENTS in Queensland schools are paying schools for laptop computers promised for free by the Federal Government.

At least 18 state schools are charging parents up to $1000 over four years to take home a laptop under the much-touted National Secondary School Computer Fund, launched during Labor's 2007 election campaign.

Last year Prime Minister Julia Gillard boasted that her government was ensuring all senior secondary students could access a computer at school "without their parents having to put their hand in their pocket".

Her Government is now being accused of misleading parents over the scheme, as state school families are being forced to pay up to $250 extra annually for Year 9 to 12 students to borrow a NSSCF laptop.

Mitchelton State High School father Chris Strefford - who will have to pay $800 over four years for his son and a total of $1600 once his daughter goes to high school - said the Federal Government had "lied yet again" on this issue, and it would hurt struggling families.

Mr Strefford asked unsuccessfully if his son could leave the laptop at school to save money or to buy their own, but was told other laptops would not have access to the school network or programs..

"I could go to Dick Smith and buy a laptop computer for $368," he said.

"There are net books available for $268 at the moment and I am expected to pay $1600 for my children over four years?"

He said he was not upset with the school, but the Federal Government. "Somebody needs to be held responsible," he said.

Education Queensland assistant director-general David O'Hagan said the Federal Government provided only $1000 per computer and some schools had decided to buy more expensive equipment.

Students participating in "a take-home program" cost extra, said Mr O'Hagan.

He said additional EQ services included "hot swap" computers in case any broke down, insurance, extended technical support, school and subject specific software, lockers, additional battery warranty and extra RAM and security.

A spokeswoman for Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett said the Government did "not support the charging of a fee, levy, co-contribution or bond to parents or carers for a computer provided" and gave up to $1500 extra to support the installation and maintenance of each computer.

"Policies to manage risk, rather than charge parents additional fees to cover," she said.

"The Australian Government does not support application of mechanisms which may inadvertently disadvantage students, such as those whose parents cannot afford to pay a fee.

"However; the Government recognises that there are limited circumstances in which a parental co-contribution may be justified."

She said they included if a school bought more expensive equipment, fees already charged for computers to maintain the existing infrastructure and if a school extended the program beyond Years 9 to 12.

Originally published as You pay for 'free' school laptops