About M8ties
We started M8ties, an Australian school supplies brand, after one too many broken zips, lost pens or bags that won't do the job.
Buying stationery shouldn’t feel like a revolving door — yet it did. Products wore out, disappeared, or just didn’t keep up. (We were done replacing another pencil case halfway through the term.)
Then came the bigger reason.
Around 1 in 13 Australian adolescents aged 12–17 reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, and about 1 in 40 have made an attempt [1]. Among older teens aged 14–19, around one-third have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours in the previous 12 months [2].
Behind those numbers are real young people -students, classmates, friends- who deserve better days. That’s what drives us.
Why we do it
We design pencil cases, bags, and accessories for tweens and teens that do more than carry pens, sports gear, books, or music scores.
They carry confidence. They carry self-expression. They carry a little safe space.
And they’re built to last through every win, wobble, and “what-just-happened” moment of school life.
What makes M8ties different
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Built tough: strong stitching and smart compartments that make school life easier and help you stay organised in seconds.
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Made to stand out: bold, vibrant, and uplifting styles that let every student express their personality.
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Gives back: 5% of profits go to the Raise Foundation, supporting youth mental health and mentoring programs in Australian high schools.
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Ethically made: we work with business partners who share our commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable production.
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Waste less: some of our cotton fabrics come from salvaged remnants, reducing landfill waste while keeping each design unique.
At M8ties, we believe school gear should last, look good, and do good.
Designed with care. Made for impact.
— The M8ties Team
Note: figures vary between studies and age groups; the most recent national data for 12–17 year-olds remains from 2013-14, while newer research covers broader age bands.
[1] Australian Institute of Family Studies (2016), based on the Young Minds Matter survey 2013-14. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/young-minds-matter-depression-psychological-distress-self-harming-and
[2] Australian Institute of Family Studies (2025) https://aifs.gov.au/growing-australia/media/one-third-teens-experience-suicidal-thoughts-and-behaviours