Media Release: Supporting Australian students with disability

The Morrison Government will work with states and territories, education providers and people with disability to implement the recommendations of the 2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005, released today.

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the Government is committed to encouraging and supporting every student to achieve their full academic potential.

“Quality education forms the foundation of a child’s life and all students, including those with disability, should be able to access and fully participate in quality education,” Minister Tudge said.

“All education providers, from early childhood and schools to VET and higher education, must comply with the standards and ensure no young person is disadvantaged because of a disability.

“To demonstrate our commitment to this issue, the Government will publicly report each year on progress towards implementing the 13 recommendations.”

The final report outlined four areas for improvement:
· Empowering and supporting students with disability and their families
· Strengthening the knowledge and capability of educators and providers
· Embedding accountability for the standards throughout the education system
· Building awareness and capability in the early childhood education and care sector

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said education was key to employment opportunities and the recommendations would help improve outcomes under the new National Disability Strategy.

“It is incumbent on all levels of government, stakeholders and service providers to ensure people with a disability have equal opportunities, particularly when it comes to education in their formative years,” Minister Ruston said.

“Getting a job and having a job is an absolute game-changer in everybody’s life and that should not be any different for somebody who has a disability.”

The final report is available here: www.dese.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005/2020-review-disability-standards-education-2005

A summary document about the review and its recommendations is also available online, including in Auslan, Easy Read, and 11 community languages.