Funding for Students with Disabilities

"The inequity in funding for students with disabilities must become an issue of importance to all political decision makers and I look forward to working with the Victorian Parent's Council to advise this goal."
(Martin Dixon, State Shadow Minister for Education)

In the State of Victoria and other states and territories around Australia, students with disabilities are discriminated against by their educational choices. This discrimination is an inequity in government funding that provides for the additional needs of students with disabilities in government schools but only partially provides for the additional needs of students with disabilities in non-government schools.

Table 1: Max State Govt Disability Funding for Govt School Students Compared to Max Federal Govt Funding for Independent School Students (2005)

The funding inequity can differ as much as $30,000 (see Table 1), dependent on the disability type and the support for which the student is eligible. Parents of these children must meet the additional costs from their own pocket, often making the choice of a non-government school impossible.

To understand the issues faced by these chidlren, the VPC has developed the following resources. Take them to your local politicians and tell your story so they can lobby on your behalf. With pressure, the government will change this inequity.

The Disability Funding Inequity in Non-Government Schools Must be Abolished - "Excellent read - Jesse's story really made me understand the concerns for these chidlren". Paul Carr, Parent.

Fight the funding injustice for students with disabilities - Kerstin and Michelle's stories are cpatured in this 6 minute DVD that outlines their children's journies through the educaion system. Kerstin is yet to find an approritate school for her daughter Michelle and her community fundraise incessantly to provide her son with an educaiton that meets her familiy's values.

In 2007 a study was commissioned around the inequities of funding of students with disabilities in non-government schools but the results were never released. They were leaked in this article, "The Age, July 21st 2007, Shake-up looms for disability aid in schools". Without action, this is wasted money.

Another article, "Move costs $20,500 in funding, The Age, July 21st" describes the difficulties faced by Kerstin due to the lack of funding for her child. The VPC forum has been setup to register your concerns and see what other parents are doing. Please pay the forum a visit and post your thoughts. For more detailed information about funding of students with disabilities in non-government schools visit Association of Independent Schools of Victoria.