The Disability Inclusion Fund cuts reversal shows the need for more student voice
Thursday 05 November, 2026
In short:
Advocacy organisations signed an open letter to reverse the cuts to the Disability Inclusion Fund. While some of the decisions were reversed, a lot of students will continue missing out.
What next:
Become a VicSRC member to be further involved with VicSRC decision making.
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The Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) supports the decision the Victorian Government made that some of the cuts to the Disability Inclusion Funding will be rolled back. However, VicSRC remain disappointed that future students will be left behind. It is vital student voice is prioritised in all future decision-making regarding school funding.
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VicSRC signed an open letter by Advocacy for Children with Disability (ACD). The open letter called for the reversal of these funding cuts. VicSRC was proud to sign with other advocacy organisations. Inclusive, accessible education and equity in schools continue to be a priority area for students in the state. These cuts were a direct clash of student priorities.
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The Disability Inclusion Funding cuts were meant to come into place Term 1, 2027. The initial cuts would have meant:
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An estimated 6,000 students losing their individual funding over the next two years
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$850 less of funding per term for students in mainstream schools
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A 2.5% reduction in student-level funding rates. Student-level funding is the funding schools receive to spend on students.
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Because of the nature of funding, this would have impacted government schools only.
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Because of the joint advocacy, some of these cuts have been reversed, such as the 6,000 students who currently meet the Disability Inclusion funding threshold. However, this excludes students who may need to access these services in the future.
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However, cuts such as the 2.5% reduction in student-level funding rates in government schools will remain. Students in mainstream will still receive $850 less of funding per term. This will further marginalise students who need this funding, especially as Victoria remains the last state to achieve full funding according to the Schooling Resource Standard.
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VicSRC is proud to be part of a list of advocates that helped change the outcome of these cuts, however, we continue to stress the importance of student voice in all future decisions made by the Victorian Government.
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Please see a copy of the initial open letter on ACD's website here.