This consultation paper gives information about the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards) and an outline of possible changes to the Standards.

The Standards are a law made under the DDA. They set standards that providers must meet, and explain the rights of students with disability, in education and training.

The Disability Standards for Education Amendment Standards 2025 (the draft Amendment Standards) lists possible changes to the Standards. The main change is to include and clarify that most early childhood education and care (ECEC) and outside school hours care service providers in Australia must comply with the Standards.

Including ECEC services in the Standards aims to: 

• make the obligations of ECEC services for children and students with disability consistent across the education sector
• make it clear in the Standards there is no difference between the rights of children with disability in preschool or kindergarten and other ECEC services that deliver education programs
• make it clear for families and carers what the rights of children and students are and how ECEC services must support children and students.

The consultation closes on 28 February 2025.