- Private specialist schools for students with disability, autism or complex learning needs.
- Fees vary widely, from no fees at some schools to standard private school rates. The NDIS does not pay school fees. Victorian Government, the NDIS and schools ↗
- Each sets its own eligibility and enrolment criteria.
- Each school decides whether your child's NDIS-funded therapists can work with them at school, so ask about this before you enrol.
Good for your child if...
- Wants a private, specialist-focused environment with smaller classes.
- Child's needs fall between mainstream and government specialist eligibility.
- Wants more choice and a direct relationship with school leadership.
Before you decide, know this:
- Fees can be significant, so ask exactly what the fee includes, such as therapy, transport or extra staff support.
- No school or department publishes a standard processing time for enrolment. Waiting lists can be long, especially for younger years, so the safest approach is to contact the school as soon as you are considering it, even a year or more ahead of the intended start date.
- Visit multiple schools; ask about staff turnover and autism expertise.
