Includes Catholic systemic schools and standalone independent or faith-based schools.
- A mainstream non-government school educating your child alongside peers, with reasonable adjustments.
- The Disability Standards for Education 2005 apply to non-government schools too, so these schools carry the same legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments as government schools. NSW Department of Education ↗
- The Standards also cover enrolment, so these schools cannot refuse your child because of disability, unless the adjustments needed would cause unjustifiable hardship. NSW Department of Education ↗, Australian Human Rights Commission ↗
- In NSW, Catholic systemic schools are usually supported through their diocesan Catholic education office, which runs its own diverse learning or disability support processes separate from the state education department.
- In NSW, standalone independent schools vary more. Each school sets its own enrolment and support policies, with no central department overseeing day-to-day practice.
Good for your child if...
- Mild to moderate support needs, with adjustments.
- Family wants a faith-based or particular educational philosophy alongside inclusion.
- Benefits from social interaction with neurotypical peers.
Before you decide, know this:
- Ask the school exactly what adjustments it will provide and how they are funded; do not assume they mirror a government school's process.
- For Catholic systemic schools, ask which diocesan office supports the school and what disability funding or programs it offers.
- For standalone independent schools, ask to see the school's own learning support or inclusion policy in writing.
- Fees apply and vary widely, so check total costs. If the school mentions an extra charge linked to your child's support needs, ask what it covers and why it applies.
