DISABILITY SERVICES AND STUDENT SUPPORT REPORT
NORTH COAST REGION PROJECT OUTLINE
To identify support services and funding available to students with a disability transition from
school to vocational education and training. Local, state and federal jurisdictions will be
identified and analysed to determine if any gaps exist to support students engage
successfully with vocational education and training. Service networks will be identified and
consulted regarding the services and funding available to successfully engage in and
complete vocational education and training.
LOCAL SERVICES
Centacare – My Future: My
Life
Community Lifestyle Support
Inc
Endeavour Group
Epic Employment
Life without Barriers
Mylestones Employment
 Receives funding from Department of Communities,
Child Safety and Disability Services to administer and
deliver this program.
 Post School Services Program – 48 week post school
services to assist young adults (aged 18+) with a
disability and their families’ transition from school and
to plan for the future
 Post School Options – work with each person and
their family/decision makers to develop flexible,
practical options that enable skill development and
participation in new opportunities including life skills
training; support to transition to work; Certificate II
courses.
 Ticket to Work – provides employment opportunities,
including
school
based
traineeships
and
apprenticeships for Year 11 and 12 students with a
disability.
 Provides support and transition programs to students
in Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Mooloolaba
 Work with students in high school, TAFE or University
to transition to the workforce.
The program is
designed to help students with disabilities or learning
difficulties make a smooth transition from school into
the workforce, by providing them with the right skills
and training to become confident and job ready.
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STATE FUNDING
Department of Education and Training
Continuing investment in the four year Supporting Queenslanders with a Disability
(Speech Pathologists) initiative to support speech pathology in Queensland Schools.
$6.5 million
investment in Getting the Basics
Right;

Grants in language, literacy and numeracy allows
Principals more choice to select an LLN program
which are matched to the individual needs.

Provides specialised technology and support
services to approved training providers. Specialised
technology is on a loan basis and includes assistive
software,
magnification
aid
and
computer
accessories.
Support services include Auslan interpreters and
disability support workers.
Skills Disability
Support

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Available to eligible learners with a disability who
have not completed a Certificate III or higher level
qualification and not on income support may
undertake government subsidised training.

Identifies and responds to educational needs to
students with disabilities ranging from Austism,
hearing and vision impairment, intellectual or physical
impairment to speech-language impairment.

A Way Forward – equitable and inclusive VET
system that enables all learners to achieve their
potential through skills development

Support the education of eligible students with
disability in non-state schools and aims to enhance
the educational outcomes of these students. These
students must be verified with ASD, hearing
impairment, intellectual or physical impairment, social
emotional disorder, speech language impairment,
vision impairment or a combination of any of these.
These students will be profiled through the Education
QLD EAP

Provides funding to organisations to deliver
educational services and resources that enhance the
participation, inclusion and outcomes of students with
special needs.
Community
Learning
Education
Adjustment
Program (EAP)
Inclusive Learning
Non-State Schools
Students with Disability
Program
Special Needs Organisation
Program (SNO)
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OTHER OPTIONS FOR SCHOOLS

A campaign to encourage employers and their
industry associations or networks to be proactive and
creative in re-imagining work experience for Years 9
and 10 students in an effort to generate more
successful transition to school to work by young
people; additional career development opportunities
for students and recent school leavers and stronger
partnerships between employers and schools leading
to VET learning and positive pathways for young
people.

Opening Doors -The Opening Doors project offers
career development support and guidance to
secondary schools with particular focus on raising
awareness and aspirations of students in Years 1012. This project will be especially relevant for
students from low-SES, indigenous and non-English
speaking backgrounds (NESB). The Opening Doors
Career Development project offers the services of
qualified career development practitioners in 2015.

Provide resources to Special Schools and SEP Units
to deliver alternate assessments and provide
administrative support to School Registered Training
Organisations.
Work Inspiration Model –
Smith Family
University of Southern
QLD
Special Education Training
Alliance (SETA)
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
Eligibility – Must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident with suitable visa; a QLD
resident and under 65 years of age. Must have a disability that is attributable to an
intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a
combination of impairments; results in a substantial reduction of your capacity in one or
more of the following areas: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, or selfcare/management; results in your needing support and is permanent or likely to be
permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature) and manifests itself before
the age of 65.
 $1.465 billion allocated with an extra $5.5 million to provide assistance to up to 300
young people leaving school.
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My Future: My Life
 currently has three streams of support:
- Eligible young people in years 11 and 12 (or
equivalent) can access time-limited financial
assistance to support them in achieving the goals
identified in their SET plan.
- Transition Preparation for young people attending
QLD secondary schools – this will provide eligible
young people with an opportunity to engage in
thinking that will assist them to better understand
themselves; assist young people and their family to
build on their strengths and capacity to develop
strategies to support and guide the transition from
school to adult life.
- State wide information and developmental sessions
in 2015 to be aimed at families with young people in
secondary schools who have a disability; Disability
Services and DETE staff and Disability professionals.
TAFE QUEENSLAND
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Student Support - Disability Services across all TAFE Queensland Campuses
TAFE QLD Brisbane – Disability Support Officers
Foundation Skills Training
FURTHER EDUCATION OPTIONS
There are a number of Universities in Queensland that offers Year 11 and 12 students the
option to commence University studies while still undertaking secondary school studies. The
Universities also have disability/equity units to provide support services to students.
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University of the Sunshine Coast – University Skills in Community; Tertiary
Preparation Program
University Of Southern QLD – Tertiary Preparation Program
CQ University – Skills for Tertiary Education Preparation Studies
QLD University of Technology – START QUT
University of QLD – (ESP) Enhance Study Program
Griffith University – (GUEST Program) Griffith University Early Start to Tertiary Study
Bond University – (SFAS Program) Student for a Semester
Australian Catholic University – Pathways Program
James Cook University – Tertiary Access Course
Southern Cross University – Preparing for Success Program
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FEDERAL FUNDING AND SERVICES

$14.25million invested in ‘more support for students with disabilities’

available
for
non-government
schools
capital
infrastructure to support those who are educationally
disadvantaged

Professional development for school leaders and
teachers.
It also provides workshops and online
resources for schools and parents

During the trial period clients need to live in an area that
is participating in the trial program. NDIS supports
people with a permanent and significant disability that
affects their ability in everyday life including involvement
in education and employment.

QLD Universities are provided funds to implement
programs aimed at increasing the participation rate of
students from key geographical regions and underrepresented cohorts of students.
Capital Grants program
Positive Partnerships –
Helping Children with
Autism
National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Widening Participation
Program
Department of Human Services
Disabled Australian
Apprentice Wage Support
Program
National Disability
Coordination Officer
Program

Payment that assists employers of eligible Australian
Apprentices with disabilities.

Australian wide coordination and delivery of transition
services for people with disability who are at, or will be
attending secondary school, university or vocational
education and training. This service provides information
to people with a disability; links individuals and
organisations to local support services; assist local
education providers and employers to provide better
services for people with a disability and raise awareness
amongst education providers, employers and general
public of the issues facing disabled people.
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SERVICE PROVIDERS
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Skills Disability Support – all training providers
Community Learning – Community Based Organisations who are approved to deliver
programs
Education Adjustment Program (EAP) – Education QLD
Students with Disability Program – Education QLD
Special Needs Organisation Program – Autism QLD; BUSH Kids; C.H.I.L.D – Let’s
Talk Development Hub; Down Syndrome Association of QLD; The Hear and Say
Centre; Noah’s Ark Resource Centre; SPELD Queensland Inc; Spina Bifidia
Hydrocephalus QLD and Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia
My Future: My Life – Centacare
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support Program – Federal Government
National Disability Coordination Officer Program – Busy at Work
Higher Education Disability Support Program – Federal Government
EMPLOYER OPTIONS
 Australian Disability Enterprises – provides employment opportunities and support to
people who are unlikely to be able to find or retain work in the open market.
o Endeavour Industries, Strathpine, Redcliffe
o Mylestones Printing, Strathpine
o House with No Steps, Sunshine Coast – Logistics and Hospitality
o Endeavour Foundation Industries, Bundaberg
o Impact Make Your Mark, Bundaberg
o Red Cross Business Services, Gympie
o Endeavour Industries, Gympie
o Endeavour Industries, Maryborough
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Disability Employment Services
Disability Employment
Services providers offer a
range of services to
support your individual
needs, including:

help to prepare for work, including training in specific job
skills

job search support, such as résumé development,
training in interview skills, and help in looking for
suitable jobs

support when initially placed into a job, including on the
job training and coworker and employer support

ongoing support in a job if required

the purchase of vocational training and other
employment-related assistance

access to help with workplace modifications, support
services, and Auslan interpreting in the workplace
Moreton Disability Employment Services Providers
Community Solutions Group
Bribie Island
Community Solutions Group
Caboolture, Bribie Island, Kilcoy
Open Minds
Caboolture, Deception Bay, Kippa-Ring
MAX Employment
Caboolture, Deception Bay, Kilcoy, Woodford
Mylestones Employment
Caboolture, Redcliffe, Bongaree, Kilcoy
Red Cross College Employment Services
Caboolture, Redcliffe
Matchworks
Strathpine
EPIC Employment Services
HELP Enterprises
Australia Red Cross
Caboolture
Caboolture, Redcliffe
Caboolture
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Sunshine Coast Disability Employment Services Providers
Job Futures
Beerwah
Advanced Personnel Management
Birtinya,
Cooroy,
Eumundi,
Maleny,
Maroochydore,
Montville,
Mooloolaba,
Nambour, Noosaville, Pomona
Bokinara, Maleny, Maroochydore, Nambour,
Coolum Beach
Caloundra
Community Solutions Group
Advanced Personnel Management
Job Centre Australia
Mylestones Employment
Red Cross College Employment Services
STEPS Group Australia
Epic Employment Services
Community Solutions
Caloundra,
Maroochydore,
Nambour,
Noosaville
Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa
Heads, Noosaville,
Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa
Caloundra, Maleny, Maroochydore, Nambour,
Noosa Heads
Caloundra,
Maroochydore,
Nambour,
Noosaville
Beerwah, Bokarina, Coolum Beach, Maleny,
Maroochydore, Nambour
Wide Bay Region Disability Employment Services Providers
Advanced Personnel Management
Jobmatch Employment
Gympie, Imbil, Kilkivan, Rainbow Beach, Tin
Can Bay
Gympie, Imbil, Tin Can Bay
Job Futures IMPACT Community Services
Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Childers
Red Cross College Employment Services
STEPS Group Australia
Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Childers, Maryborough,
Hervey Bay
Bundaberg, Gin Gin
Community Solutions Group
Maryborough, Hervey Bay
Mylestones Employment
Maryborough, Hervey Bay
Epic Employment Services
IMPACT Community Services
Maryborough, Gin Gin, Pialba, Bundaberg
Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Childers
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - EMPLOYER SUPPORT
When employing a person with disability, employers may be eligible for financial assistance,
such as:
Restart Wage Subsidy
 Payments of up to $10,000 to employers if they hire an
eligible jobseeker aged 50 or older, including those with
disability, on a full time basis, and retain that person for 2
years.
http://www.employment.gov.au/restart-wage-subsidy
 A productivity based wage assessment system for people
with disability.
Supported Wage System
http://jobaccess.gov.au/content/supported-wage-system
 Payments made to eligible employers to help cover the
costs of paying wages in the first few months of
employing a person with disability.
Wage subsidies
Disabled Australian
Apprentice Wage
Support Program
Employment Assistance
Fund
http://jobaccess.gov.au/Employers/Financial_help_and_wag
es/Help_with_wages/Wage_subsidies
 Payments made to employers who employ apprentices
with disabilities.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/business/services/ce
ntrelink/disabled-australian-apprentice-wage-support
 Reimburses employers for the cost of work-related
modifications and services required for employing people
with disability e.g. modifications to the physical work
environment or work vehicles, AUSLAN interpreting,
disability awareness training and communication devices.
http://jobaccess.gov.au/content/employment-assistancefund-2
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HANDY WEBSITES
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www.ndco.stepscs.net.au – National Disability Coordination Officer Program
www.adcet.edu.au – Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and
Training – information and resources for Disability Practitioners, Teachers and
students on inclusive practices within the post-secondary education sector
http://www.lwb.org.au – provides care and support services across Australia in
disability services, home and community care for older Australians; support to
refugees and asylum seekers. LWB also work in the areas of mental health,
homelessness and youth justice and have a strong commitment to Reconciliation and
delivering culturally sensitive programs.
www.youthconnect.com.au – works with community to provide all young people
with the skills and knowledge to support them to manage a successful pathway
through secondary education, further learning and employment.
www.myfuturemylife.com.au – supporting students with a disability to plan and
prepare for life after school
www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au – national disability insurance scheme.
www.communities.qld.gov.au - support for young people leaving school
http://www.cpl.org.au/services/disability-employment/aboutmylestones/mylestones-training - work with students in high school, TAFE or
University to transition to the workforce
http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/programme/support-australianapprentices-disability - Australian Apprentice Support (DAAWS).
http://www.planning4life.net/index.html - support service who predominantly
works with youth to support them to achieve their personal and professional goals.
http://www.parent2parentqld.org.au/index.php - Parent to Parent brings together
parents and family members for mutual support and to share practical information,
skill enhancement opportunities and planning activities. This enables families to
increase their knowledge and make more informed decisions about their family
member’s future needs.
ISSUES IDENTIFIED
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Change in processes from clients being told what specific services they are to access
with funding pre-allocated to providers;
with the NDIS clients and their
parents/carers have control over the funds provided and to ‘shop around’ for the most
appropriate service provider.
No or limited support programs for parents and carers to the changes to NDIS
Limited State and Federal funding has led to clients accessing support services on a
User Pays system.
A lot of the programs has ceased due to funding cuts.
2011 PriceWaterhouseCoopers report ‘Disability expectations: Investing in a better
life, a stronger Australia - 45% of Australians with a disability live in/near poverty,
more than double the OECD average. Ticket to Work Program Accreditation
Handbook 2012
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Education QLD Staff resources
 Students who are doing work experience require a teacher with them in the
workplace all day.
Transport
 Students are unable to access the school transport assistance program for students
with disabilities for any training or work experience.
RECOMMENDATIONS

Is there potential to incorporate a similar model to the Work Inspiration Program
to assist those students with identified needs to transition from school to further
training or education, working with established support agencies/community
organisations and schools?

Assist students with needs to access either further VET courses or Tertiary by
allowing them to attend campuses to view how training is conducted and what the
training entails for the identified industry area interest – ‘try industry training’.
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Develop working relationship with Epic Employment throughout the North Coast
region to assist with the Ticket to Work program through local high schools.
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Incorporate training programs for parents and carers taking into account the
changes to the NDIS and funding models.
BEST PRACTICE
STEPS Group

CATAPULT (Community and Tertiary Partnerships Underpinning Lifelong
Transition - Engaging key stakeholders to assist and provide individual pathways to
improve attainment and transition outcomes for students with disability
o Partnership Members
 Mountain Creek State High School – Special Education Unit
 Centacare Employment Group
 Sunshine Coast Independent Living Services (SCILS) and
 Sunshine Coast TAFE
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SUMMARY
There are limited funded programs to support students with disabilities to successfully
transition from school to further education and training. Disability Services Employment
service providers provide pathway planning with students with a disability and if they identify
during the planning that they wish to continue with further education and/or training, there
will be funding attached to that pathway.
Education QLD has identified resourcing concerns with losing staff to attend workplaces with
students during work placements. These students are also unable to access transport to
attend work placements while still attending school.
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