Government distance education is school delivered away from a campus. Eligibility is based on each education department's rules and on why regular attendance is not possible. An autism diagnosis does not automatically qualify a student.
Distance education for autistic students in NSW
Official option
The NSW Department of Education provides distance education through public distance education schools for students who are geographically isolated or cannot attend school regularly because of special circumstances.
Who can enrol
NSW has a medical condition category for students whose condition prevents regular attendance, as well as an additional learning and support needs category. For the additional needs pathway, the student must have a confirmed disability, the local school must be unable to meet their needs using available resources, and distance education must be recommended as the most appropriate option.
NSW Department of Education, distance education NSW additional learning and support needs criteria
How to apply and what to prepare
For the additional learning and support needs pathway, start with your local public school. The school submits an Online Access Request with the supporting evidence. Applications under the medical, pregnant or young parent, vocationally talented and specialist settings categories go directly to the distance education school.
NSW additional learning and support needs criteria NSW full time enrolment information
Costs and support
Financial contributions at NSW public schools are voluntary, although some subjects can have material or equipment costs. The additional needs pathway is reviewed at least every 12 months.
Sydney Distance Education High School, contributions Finigan School, contributions and assistance NSW additional learning and support needs criteria
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in Victoria
Official option
Virtual School Victoria is the Victorian Government distance education school for eligible students whose circumstances prevent full time mainstream attendance.
Who can enrol
Eligible Victorian residents must be unable to attend regular school for at least two consecutive school terms or six consecutive months in one school year. Current direct enrolment categories include physical health and mental health. Autism is not listed as a separate category, so ask Virtual School Victoria which pathway fits your child's circumstances.
Virtual School Victoria, enrolment requirements Virtual School Victoria, direct enrolment categories
How to apply and what to prepare
Apply online under the relevant category. Physical health applications require a referral from the student's most recent school and a referral from the relevant specialist practitioner or agency explaining how the condition or treatment prevents mainstream attendance.
Costs
Virtual School Victoria says Victorian government school students do not pay enrolment fees. The official pages reviewed did not set out autism specific support available after enrolment, so ask the school about adjustments for your child before applying.
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in Queensland
Official option
Queensland has seven state schools of distance education, serving students from Kindy to Year 12 who cannot attend a local school because of isolation, medical or other special circumstances, travel, or a home based choice.
Who can enrol
Medical or other special circumstances can support an application, but the official pages reviewed do not name autism as a separate eligibility category. Contact the school serving your area and explain why regular attendance is not possible.
Queensland Department of Education, distance education Queensland distance education enrolment procedure
How to apply
A student who remains enrolled at another state school applies through that base school. Families seeking full time home based enrolment apply to the relevant school of distance education. Ask that school which evidence is required for the category you are using.
Costs and assistance
A state school student studying part of a program through a flexible arrangement does not pay a distance education fee. Queensland charges an annual fee for home based by choice enrolment. Exemptions or waivers may be available for eligible circumstances, financial hardship or exceptional circumstances. Some medical category students may qualify for an information technology subsidy or Centrelink assistance.
Queensland distance education enrolment and fees procedure Brisbane School of Distance Education, fees and assistance
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in Western Australia
Official option
The School of Isolated and Distance Education provides home based distance education in Western Australia. It also runs a referral program for students who remain enrolled at another school but cannot attend because of severe or chronic health needs or ongoing mental health challenges.
Who can enrol
Home based applicants must be eligible Western Australian residents who cannot access mainstream schooling for at least 20 school weeks or one school semester. For a health referral, the student is generally unable to attend school or another program for at least three months and is receiving regular specialist treatment, counselling or another suitable intervention.
How to apply and what to prepare
Home based families apply to SIDE and provide identity, residency and school records, plus any medical management plans, learning plans, diagnostic letters and evidence for the chosen category. A current school applies for the referral program and SIDE consults the treating clinician or specialist.
Costs and support
SIDE follows Western Australian public school contribution and charge arrangements. Financial assistance may be available to eligible families. The official pages reviewed describe clinical consultation and the learning documents needed for enrolment, but do not set out autism specific support after enrolment, so ask SIDE what adjustments it can provide.
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in South Australia
Official option
Open Access College is the South Australian Government school for eligible students who are isolated, cannot attend school regularly because of special circumstances, or cannot access suitable subjects locally.
Who can enrol
A student who cannot attend their face to face school for medical reasons may be considered individually, whether the condition is long term or short term. The college lists physical disability and conditions requiring ongoing treatment among examples. Autism is not named as a separate category, so eligibility depends on the effect on attendance and the evidence provided.
How to apply and what to prepare
Check the eligibility criteria with Open Access College and arrange an enrolment interview. Medical applications need input from the treating professional, and an adult must be available to supervise and support the student while learning at home.
Open Access College, enrolment criteria Open Access College, information for medical professionals
Costs and support
Open Access College publishes annual charges for full time enrolment and separate subject charges for students studying through another school. School Card, ABSTUDY and Centrepay assistance may be available. The college also publishes an autism inclusion newsletter for families, but its official pages reviewed do not describe specific classroom adjustments, so ask Student Services what support is available.
Open Access College, fees and payments Open Access College, autism inclusion newsletter
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in Tasmania
Official option
Tasmanian eSchool is the government online school for public education students from Kindergarten to Year 12, with campuses in Launceston and Hobart. Students must meet its registration or enrolment criteria to take part.
Who can enrol
There are four criteria: isolation, travel, pregnancy and medical. The medical criterion covers a student with a diagnosed medical or psychological condition, confirmed by a current assessment or report from a treating practitioner. Autism is not named as a separate criterion. Meeting a criterion does not guarantee a place, because a referral panel looks at each application and decides whether the student can succeed learning online.
How to apply and what to prepare
If your child is not at a Tasmanian government school, they can apply to enrol directly with eSchool. If they are already at a government school, that school arranges access to eSchool. Applications need approval from your child's school, and are considered by the eSchool referral panel, so talk with your child's school first and have the current report from your child's treating practitioner ready.
Costs and support
A student who stays enrolled at a government school and uses eSchool through that school does so on a fee for service basis between the schools, but the official material reviewed does not publish an amount. Tasmania's disability funding model supports educational adjustments in government schools, and low income families may be eligible for help with school levies.
Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People, Enrolment Procedure (August 2024), section 10.5 Tasmanian Government, supporting students with disability Tasmanian Government, student financial assistance
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in the ACT
Official option
The ACT Education Directorate coordinates distance education with the NSW Finigan School of Distance Education. Eligible ACT students enrol at Finigan as full time students.
Who can enrol
A student may be eligible when a medical condition prevents school attendance, or when additional learning or support needs cannot be met at the local public school. An adult must supervise learning from 9 am to 3 pm on school days, and the student needs internet access and a suitable laptop.
How to apply
Contact the ACT Distance Education team to discuss eligibility and the application. If accepted, Finigan approves enrolment for at least six months and enrols the student in subjects for their year level. The official ACT page reviewed does not list the supporting documents for the additional needs category, so confirm these with the team.
Costs and support
Finigan may request voluntary contributions, and some subjects have material or equipment costs. Financial assistance may be available. The ACT eligibility pathway recognises additional learning or support needs, but the official page reviewed does not describe specific autism support after enrolment, so ask the team and Finigan about adjustments.
Details checked October 2026
Distance education for autistic students in the Northern Territory
Official options
The Northern Territory has three government distance education schools. Alice Springs School of the Air serves Preschool to Year 9, Katherine School of the Air serves students in the top half of the Territory, and NT School of Distance Education provides senior secondary online study.
Who can enrol
Alice Springs School of the Air can consider special circumstances on medical grounds where evidence shows ongoing treatment, counselling or another suitable intervention. This is generally a temporary arrangement with a plan to return to regular attendance or move to flexible education. NT School of Distance Education also lists medical conditions within its flexibility category. Autism is not named as a separate category.
Alice Springs School of the Air, special circumstances NT School of Distance Education, enrolment
How to apply and what to prepare
Apply to the school that matches your child's year level and location. For Alice Springs special circumstances, include evidence of ongoing professional treatment and support. NT School of Distance Education asks flexibility applicants to attach the most recent school report and Year 9 NAPLAN report. Katherine requires an adult supervisor, suitable learning space, a computer, internet access and at least one semester of enrolment.
Alice Springs School of the Air, special circumstances NT School of Distance Education, enrolment Katherine School of the Air, enrolments
Costs and support
The NT Government publishes a distance education allowance for eligible families with a child attending one of the three schools. Territory government schools can also request disability equipment funding, but the official pages reviewed do not confirm how this works for home based students. Ask the relevant school about adjustments and any voluntary costs.
NT Government, distance education allowance NT Government, students with disability
Details checked October 2026
Questions parents ask
Is distance education the same as home schooling?
No. In distance education, your child is enrolled in a school and that school provides the curriculum, teachers and assessment. In home schooling, a parent takes responsibility for the learning program and registers under their state or territory's home education rules.
NSW Department of Education, distance education NSW Government, home schooling
Can my child return to a regular school?
Yes. Distance education does not prevent a later return to regular school. Some health based pathways are approved for a limited period or reviewed regularly, and may include a plan for returning to school when it is suitable.
NSW additional learning and support needs criteria Alice Springs School of the Air, special circumstances
Does an autism diagnosis guarantee enrolment?
No. The official criteria reviewed focus on why a student cannot attend or be supported at a local school, not diagnosis alone. The school or department assesses each application and its supporting evidence.
NSW distance education enrolment procedures Virtual School Victoria, direct enrolment Open Access College, medical eligibility
