Calls for further funds for disability education in Tasmania

A Report on Government Services found that in Tasmania in 2015, the proportion of funded students with a disability was 7.2 per cent, compared to a national average of 5.4 per cent. 

But Ms Desmond said she feared some students were not receiving funding and missing out of educational opportunities. 

“There are many, many families who I deal with constantly who aren’t getting the adjustments who should be getting the adjustments,” Ms Desmond said.

“Funding needs to be based on need because someone can have a high IQ and still functionally need significant support. 

“Some of these students are not getting an education on the same basis as everyone else.” 

She said Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability found 11.3 per cent of Tasmanian students had a disability, meaning some students were not funded.

But Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has said previously this data lacked credibility. 

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said money was already being invested into disability education. 

“The Hodgman Liberal government is investing an additional $12 million to ensure children with disabilities have the support they need in our education system,” Mr Rockliff said. 

“This funding is being invested where it is needed most based on recommendations from the Ministerial Taskforce.”