In this submission we are responding to the Supported School Transport and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Discussion Paper released by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS). We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this discussion paper.
Across Australia, supported school transport is currently provided to some students with disability so that they can travel to and from school. Currently, this service is provided by individual State and Territory Governments with different arrangements in place between jurisdictions. States and Territories typically deliver supported school transport services themselves or commission providers to deliver these services. Currently, supported school transport includes specialised school buses, smaller transport vehicles, independent travel training and allowances paid to families.
In their discussion paper, DSS proposed two broad options for supported school transport going forward. First, the current system could be retained and supported school transport arrangements could remain the responsibility of State and Territory Governments. Second, a new national supported school transport model could be implemented within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In this option, families or a thirdâparty delegate would directly engage the services of a supported school transport provider who would be paid via invoice from the students NDIS plan.