Australian Schools Struggle to Support Surging Number of Students with Disabilities

Australian schools are confronting a crisis as they struggle to accommodate the rapidly rising number of students with disabilities. One in four enrollments now have autism, ADHD, or other conditions, leading to calls for urgent education reform.

The number of students with disabilities has surged by nearly 40% since 2017, with social or emotional disabilities growing by almost 10% per year. In contrast, overall school enrollment has only increased by 1% annually. Experts attribute this growth to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and changes in how schools assess and report disabilities.

Despite the surge, less than a third of students with disabilities feel adequately supported to learn at school, and only about half report feeling welcome and included. Teachers are overwhelmed, with resources stretched to their limits as they develop extensive documentation and support plans for these students.

Parents are also struggling, feeling adrift and desperate as they navigate an education system not designed for their children's needs. Many students face suspensions, exclusions, and part-time attendance due to the lack of proper support. In some classes, two-thirds of students require adjustments, further straining teachers.

The issue is compounded by deeply inequitable funding arrangements, with private schools receiving significantly more support than public schools for students with disabilities, despite Australia's commitment to inclusive education under international law.

Why this matters: The education system's failure to support students with disabilities has far-reaching consequences for their academic success, mental health, and future opportunities. Urgent reform is needed to ensure inclusive education and equitable support for all students, regardless of their abilities or the type of school they attend.

Experts describe the current situation as a "broken system, buckling under pressure" as it fails to deliver on the promise of inclusive education. The education system is at a crisis point, with calls for significant reform to better support students with disabilities in mainstream schools and ensure they receive the resources and accommodations they need to thrive.

Key Takeaways

• 1 in 4 students have disabilities, up 40% since 2017, straining schools
• Less than 1/3 of disabled students feel adequately supported to learn
• Teachers overwhelmed developing support plans, resources stretched thin
• Funding inequitable, with private schools receiving more support
• Urgent reform needed to ensure inclusive education and equitable support