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Your guide to the Disability Royal Commission report

10 October 2023

The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) has published its final report and there’s been a lot of speculation about what it will mean for people with disability. Here’s our guide to the key recommendations that impact children with disability and their families, and what we know so far.

What does the report say?

There are 222 recommendations covering housing, healthcare, education, and disability services.

15 recommendations on education talk about the need to grow funding, improve teacher training, and increase accountability to make it better for students with disability. There’s also a recommendation to phase out special schools over the next 27 years, which was supported by half of the commissioners.

What does ACD want to see?

We believe the education system is letting down too many students with disability. Many aren’t supported to meet their potential, too many can’t go to school, are excluded, don’t receive the adjustments they need, and experience bullying and restrictive practice.

We want to see a transformed education system, with greater resourcing for students with disability, increased support for teachers and schools, and better outcomes for all children with disability.

What happens next?

In 2024 the Australian and state governments will report back on the DRC recommendations and indicate which ones they plan to action.

Watch this space, as we keep you up-to-date.