- A small class inside a mainstream school, usually a government school.
- Some students split time between the unit and mainstream classes; others spend most of the day in the unit. NSW Department of Education ↗
- Names and models differ by state. In NSW these are called support classes, and you apply through the access request process. NSW Department of Education ↗
- Victoria does not use this model in the same way. Its closest option is a supported inclusion school, a mainstream government school built to support more students with disability, which may prioritise children from outside its zone who meet specialist eligibility criteria. Victorian Government ↗
Good for your child if...
- Needs more support than a mainstream class alone.
- Still benefits from a mainstream school community.
- Can manage mainstream activities part of the day.
Before you decide, know this:
- No department publishes a standard processing time for support class placement, so the safest approach is to contact your local school and regional office as soon as you are considering this pathway, even a year or more ahead of the intended start date.
- Ask whether the child is genuinely included or effectively separated.
- Ask how transitions between unit and mainstream classes are managed.
- Places are limited and demand is high, so make contact early rather than waiting for a formal enrolment window.
