Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Because it's a needs based formula, there is particular additional assistance for the students who need it most and, importantly, for students with disability. Total Commonwealth funding for students with disability will be some $22.7 billion over the next decade. That's an increase over time of $1 billion compared with previous estimates. We will see strong growth in the disability loading from the Commonwealth during that time. It will grow by 33½ per cent over four years and by 83½ per cent over 10 years. We'll see strong growth in the state of New South Wales as well, and it will be aligned better to student needs. The utilisation of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability will ensure that students with the highest need and the highest level of adjustment assistance get the greatest level of support, because that's what a needs based system does and, importantly for students with disability, it ensures the greatest support goes to those who have the greatest need.