The Federal Government has finalised the rollout of its More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative after allocating $11.9 million for South Australia and $1.9 million for the Northern Territory. 

 

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring all students, regardless of their circumstances, can get the best education possible and the best chance to succeed in life,” Parliamentary Secretary for School Education Senator Jacinta Collins said.

 

Under the scheme, South Australia will receive

  • $1 million to provide assistive technologies to support students to work more independently in inclusive environments;
  • $2 million to support the establishment of specialist teacher support centres;
  • $2.7 million to develop materials, and provide professional development and other support, to help teachers adjust curriculum to meet the individual needs of students with disability;
  • $5.8 million to train and mentor teachers and school leaders to build their skills and knowledge in special education and;
  • $233,500 to strengthen the skills of paraprofessionals, to support students with disabilities in the classroom. 

 

Whereas the Northern Territory will receive:

  • 629,000 to provide appropriate assistive technologies to support students to work more independently in inclusive environment;
  • $256,500 to train and mentor teachers, and school leaders, to build their skills and knowledge in special education;
  • $280,000 to expand specialist support services and resource options for students with complex disabilities and high-support needs;
  • $552,000 to provide health, allied health or other professionals to strengthen school support for students with disability, and;
  • $254,500 to establish special education teachers’ professional learning communities in each region.