RELIGIOUS items such as crosses, hijabs and skullcaps should be banned in state schools, a parliamentary inquiry into uniforms has been told.

Sikh turbans and ceremonial kirpan swords also have no place in classrooms, according to the Atheist Foundation of Australia and the Secular Party of Australia.

The opposition comes as state school parents have raised concerns about uniform costs.

Atheist Foundation of Australia president David Nicholls said school dress codes should reflect Australia's secular status.

The Secular Party of Australia warned that allowing school children to wear crosses, hijabs, skullcaps or turbans was "unnecessary and undesirable".

But Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission CEO Helen Szoke said the submissions did not take into account Australia's diversity and the right to express religious faith.

"Things like crucifixes and the hijab and so on should be accommodated within the context of a school uniform," she said. [Link]