Independent Schools Australia (ISA) prepared this submission in response to the Australian Government Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability’s inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative.
Due to changing student cohort traits, Independent schools are increasingly required to support students with a diverse range of learning needs.
According to the Australian Early Development Census, in 2024 23.5 per cent of Australian children were developmentally vulnerable in one or more areas including communication skills, language and cognitive skills, social competence, emotional maturity, and health and wellbeing. Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander children, those living in remote or very remote areas, or those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable than their peers.
Between 2021 and 2024 there was a decrease of almost two per cent in children who were developmentally on track across all domains.
There is a significant intersection between students experiencing developmental vulnerability, and those living with disability. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2022 more than two-thirds of children and young people aged 0-24 years with disability needed assistance with at least one activity of daily life, and the most commonly reported disabilities for this cohort included Autism Spectrum Disorders (18.5 per cent) and behavioural, cognitive and emotional problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (17.3 per cent).
The number of children and young people living with a reported disability is also increasing, having grown from 8.3 per cent in 2018 to 12.1 per cent in 2022.2
To best support Australian children, the need for change is clear. The current supports delivered through initiatives such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are not adequately removing barriers for learning in schools for students living with disability, or those who are developmentally vulnerable due to other factors. ISA supports initiatives which provide schools the support they need to create equitable learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or context.
When preparing this submission, ISA consulted with the AISs, the Australian Parents Council, the Queensland Independent Schools Parent Network, and The Sycamore School founder Cindy Corrie.