Studying if you have disability

Getting financial help if you’re studying

Centrelink payments

If you have disability and you’re studying, you may get Pensioner Education Supplement from Centrelink. This payment helps with study costs.

You need to get certain payments from Centrelink and meet other eligibility criteria to get it.

Find out more about Pensioner Education Supplement on the Services Australia website.

Find out more about financial help you can get while studying, including HELP loans and other Centrelink payments.

National Disability Insurance Scheme if you’re studying

If you’re eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you may get funding for study supports in your NDIS plan. If you think you might need extra support to study, you can talk to your support coordinator or my NDIS contact.

Find out more about study supports on the NDIS website.

Finding a course

Learn about vocational education and training (VET) and higher education providers or doing an apprenticeship. There’s also information to help you find a course.

Talking to your education provider

You don’t need to tell your education provider about your disability. If there’s a risk to your safety or you need modifications, you can let your education provider know. You can also self-declare on the enrolment system.

Each university or TAFE has disability support officers who may help you with adjustments and support. Examples of what they can help with are:

• a plan that sets out your needs
• ensuring inclusive teaching and assessment
• changes to ensure physical access or wheelchair accessibility
• assistive technology, including devices for hearing support implants and software that recognises your voice
• access to note taking services.

There’s more information for students with disability on the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training website.

Knowing your rights

You can learn about rights for students with disability and their caregivers on the Department of Education website.

Using a disability advocate

You may use a disability advocate to help with issues you’re having with housing, education or employment.

A disability advocate may also help if you:

• have a specific type of disability, like an intellectual disability
• are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Find out more about the National Disability Advocacy Program on the Department of Social Services website.