This policy currently applies to schools in the Bayside Peninsula, Barwon, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Central Highlands, Outer Eastern Melbourne, Inner Gippsland, Ovens Murray, and Western Melbourne areas as well as 10 specific supported inclusion . The Program for Students with process will remain unchanged for schools in all other areas.
Policy
This policy outlines how schools can plan for and implement the Disability Inclusion funding model. This is relevant to schools in Bayside Peninsula, Barwon, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Central Highlands and Outer Eastern Melbourne Areas, and 7 supported inclusion .
From census date 2023 (28 February), Disability Inclusion Profiles will be available for students in schools in Inner Gippsland, Ovens Murray and Western Melbourne areas, and 3 additional supported inclusion . Current processes under the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) will remain in place until this date, including for students commencing school in 2023 (for example, preps beginning in 2023 and transfers from other systems).
Summary
- The Disability Inclusion reform package is being introduced over a staged rollout between 2021 to 2025 as a new funding and support model for students with disability.
- Schools in the Bayside Peninsula, Barwon, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Central Highlands, and Outer Eastern Melbourne areas, and 7 supported inclusion schools participated in years 1 and 2 of the rollout in 2021 and 2022.
- Schools in the Inner Gippsland, Ovens Murray and Western Melbourne areas, and an additional 3 supported inclusion schools are participating in year 3 of the rollout in 2023.
- Schools must meet their legal obligations under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with disability. These obligations apply to all students with disability, not just those who are eligible for support under targeted funding programs. For further information on the Disability Inclusion vision for inclusion, refer to: vision for inclusive education .
- The Program for Students with Disabilities process will remain unchanged for schools in all other areas in 2021 and 2022. Refer to Program for Students with .
- Schools may refer to the guidelines to support implementation on the Guidance tab, and information on funding allocation in the Student Resource Package: Student Disability Inclusion Tier 2 school-level funding and Disability Inclusion Tier 3 student-level funding.
- Disability Inclusion will progressively replace the PSD and the Language and Learning Disabilities Support Program (LLDSP), with a significant increase in investment.
Details
Disability Inclusion is introducing:
- a new school funding model for students with disability, with 2 new funding allocations (Tier 2 school-level funding and Tier 3 student-level funding) to support inclusive practice in schools
- a new Disability Inclusion Profile process to help schools and families identify the strengths, needs and educational adjustments schools can make to assist students with disability – this process will inform Tier 3 student-level funding allocations
- new initiatives to strengthen skills and knowledge in inclusive education across the school system
- additional regional disability support roles and dedicated implementation teams.
For further information on the Disability Inclusion vision for inclusion, refer to: vision for inclusive education .
Legal obligations
Schools must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability, regardless of the availability of additional funding. Refer to: Students with Disability.
Disability Inclusion funding model
The Disability Inclusion funding model has 3 tiers, based on the increasing level of need for educational adjustments and targeted support:
- Tier 1 – Core student learning funding: funding for all students' core learning needs through the Student Resource Package (SRP). This funding includes students with disability and additional needs, and will not change with the introduction of Disability Inclusion. Refer to: Core student learning allocation funding.
- Tier 2 – School-level funding: additional funding to strengthen capacity and capability to deliver adjustments and inclusive practice for students with disability. Refer to the SRP – Disability Inclusion Tier 2 school-level funding for information on how funding is allocated, and the Guidance tab for Tier 2 funding and support implementation.
- Tier 3 – Student-level funding: additional funding to Tier 1 and 2, to support schools to deliver adjustments for individual students with complex and high needs. For information on how schools receive Tier 3 funding, refer to: Tier 3 student-level funding. For information on how to undertake this process, refer to: Disability Inclusion Profile. Refer to SRP – Disability Inclusion Tier 3 school-level funding for further information on Disability Inclusion Tier 3 funding.
The tiered funding model will progressively replace the PSD and the LLDSP. The model includes a significant increase in available support and expenditure.
Disability Inclusion implementation roll-out
The new funding allocations and the Disability Inclusion Profile will be introduced to schools based on their areas between 2021 and 2025.
2021 and 2022 – Year 1 and 2 schools
Schools in the following areas participated in Year 1 of Disability Inclusion implementation in 2021:
- Bayside Peninsula (South Eastern Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Barwon (South Western Victoria Region – Rural)
- Loddon Campaspe (North Western Victoria Region – Rural)
- 5 supported inclusion .
Schools in the following areas participated in Year 2 of Disability Inclusion implementation in 2022:
- Outer Eastern Melbourne (North Eastern Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Central Highlands (South Western Victoria Region – Rural)
- Mallee (North Western Victoria Region – Rural)
- 2 additional supported inclusion .
Schools will receive their Tier 2 school-level funding annual allocations through the regular SRP cycle. Refer to: Student Resource Package.
Schools in Year 1 and Year 2 areas should plan and prepare for Disability Inclusion Profiles in order to access Tier-3 student level funding. PSD processes are no longer available to these schools.
2023 to 2025 rollout schedule
Schools will receive Tier 2 funding and commence the new Disability Inclusion Profile processes in line with the following staged roll-out schedule.
2023 – Year 3 schools
- Inner Gippsland (South Eastern Victoria Region – Regional)
- Ovens Murray (North Eastern Victoria Region – Regional)
- Western Melbourne (South Western Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
Year 3 schools will receive the new Tier 2 school-level funding allocation from Term 1, 2023. Schools will receive their Tier 2 school-level funding annual allocations through the regular SRP cycle. Refer to: Student Resource Package.
Current processes under the PSD will apply to these schools for new applications for students commencing school in 2023 (for example, preps beginning in 2022 and transfers from other systems) until census date 2023 (usually 28 February). After this date, Year 3 schools will move to the new Disability Inclusion Profile process for applications for Tier 3 student-level funding.
2024 – Year 4 schools
- North Eastern Melbourne (North Western Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Southern Melbourne (South Eastern Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Brimbank Melton (South Western Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Goulburn (North Eastern Victoria Region – Regional)
Further advice will be provided throughout 2023 for schools in Year 4 areas.
2025 – Year 5 schools
- Hume Merri-bek (North Western Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
- Outer Gippsland (South Eastern Victoria Region – Regional)
- Wimmera South West (South Western Victoria Region – Regional)
- Inner Eastern Melbourne (North Eastern Victoria Region – Metropolitan)
Further advice will be provided for schools in Year 4 and 5 areas ahead of their transition to Disability Inclusion.
Related policies
- Disability Inclusion Profile
- Behaviour — Students
- Education Support Staff Working in Classroom Support Roles
- Individual Education Plans
- NDIS Funded therapy in schools
- SRP – Disability Inclusion Tier 2 school-level funding
- SRP – Disability Inclusion Tier 3 student-level funding
- Student Support Groups
- Student Support Services
- Students with Disability
Relevant legislation
- Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Disability Standards for Education 2005
- Equal Opportunity Act 2010
Contacts
For general queries about Disability Inclusion, contact: disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au
For questions about Disability Inclusion Profile outcomes, including the profile report and school resource notification and the Tier 3 funding allocation, timelines, or process, contact: disability.inclusion.outcomes@education.vic.gov.au
Regional Implementation Teams are available to support schools in transitioning to Disability Inclusion.
North Eastern Victoria Region
NEVR.disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au
South Western Victoria Region
SWVR.disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au
South Eastern Victoria Region
SEVR.disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au
North Western Victoria Region
NWVR.disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au
Schools with queries related to individual students may also contact their regional disability coordinator by contacting their local regional office.
Reviewed 26 April 2023