- Published:
- Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 9:00 am
Every Victorian child living with a disability deserves to have all the support they need to succeed in school.
That’s why the 2026/27 Victorian Budget invests more than $2.2 billion to support students with a disability.
It’s all part of the biggest reforms to disability support in public schools in the state's history.
More support for students at all public schools
Thousands of Victorian students live with a disability. Many need extra support to attend class and learn.
As demand grows and student needs become more complex, we’re giving schools the tools they need.
Our investment delivers funding to schools to:
- improve accessibility
- employ additional specialist staff
- deliver training to teachers to better support students with disabilities
Part of this funding supports special, individualised care for students with high and complex needs.
The funding also supports Inclusion Outreach Coaches, which are based at specialist schools and provide support and advice to school leaders and teachers at mainstream schools.
It’s working – with 66 per cent of respondents to a 2025 survey reporting a real, positive impact on inclusion.
Every public school in Victoria now accesses Disability Inclusion funding.
It’s part of the biggest reform to disability support in public schools in the state's history – worth every cent.
Free, safe travel to specialist schools
The Budget invests an additional $39 million to ensure students are getting to specialist schools safely – for free. This includes:
- delivering bus services to existing specialist schools, supporting about 60 per cent of all students
- helping with increases in the price of fuel and other rising costs
- new buses to replace older buses that are less safe and not fit for purpose
We’ll also introduce additional bus services from 2027 to meet growing demand.
Free outside school hours care
This budget invests $23 million for free, high-intensity Outside School Hours Care at 31 specialist schools.
This will give hundreds of families across Victoria the extra helping hand they deserve during work hours.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
"We’re supporting every student to get the very best education, whatever their additional needs are.”
“It means children with disability can access care close to home at no cost, so families can focus on what matters.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
"Under Labor, families will always have a choice between an inclusive local school and a specialist school.”
“Labor are investing to support kids with a disability – will the Liberals support it, or will they cut it?”
Quote attributable to Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn
“This funding will help the one in five Victorians living with disability to get the support they deserve.”