Students with disabilities will get more support to help them finish school and find a job under a new National Partnership signed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and NSW Premier Barry O¡¦Farrell today. The Gillard Labor Government is providing an extra $47.9 million to support children in NSW Government schools under the national $200 million More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative. This important initiative is part of the Gillard Government¡¦s commitment to making sure all Australians have the best opportunities to learn and get a job ¡V regardless of their personal circumstances.

The extra funding will be delivered through a new National Partnership that will allow schools to make the best choices for their students so they can learn more easily and engage with their classmates, teachers and support staff. For example, schools could use these funds to purchase new assistive technology like computer software, audio and visual tools and low vision aids. The funding could also help schools make decisions about additional teacher and support staff training, extra hours of in-class support and further teachers¡¦ aides. Funding for non-government schools in NSW under the initiative will be provided through funding agreements that align with this National Partnership. We know that having the right support at school makes a world of difference for the future of students with disabilities. Without this type of support for schools, students with disabilities are less likely to complete Year 12, putting them at greater risk of unemployment and social exclusion. The workforce participation rate for people with disabilities is currently only 53 per cent, meaning thousands of Australians do not have the benefits of a job. We can make a difference by starting in the classroom and helping every child reach their full potential. The Gillard Government is determined to make sure people with disabilities and their carers get the best support and the care they deserve. Work is also underway to develop the first ever National Disability Insurance Scheme - an historic reform that will ensure Australians with disabilities have access to the services they need to participate in society. The Government is also working with the states and territories to develop a nationally agreed model of collecting information about students with disabilities. This will allow us to develop the first Australia-wide picture of how many students are in our schools, where they are located and the level of support they are already receiving. Other measures introduced by the Gillard Government include the $220 million Helping Children With Autism initiative, the $147 million Better Start for Children with Disability program and the creation last year of a new Schools Disability Advisory Council. We want every student in Australia to have access to the best possible education - the agreement signed today is an important step towards achieving that goal.