Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Education and Training, by no later than 4.30 pm on Thursday, 15 October 2015, any reports resulting from the review of the Disability Support Program conducted by KPMG on behalf of the Department of Education and Training (contract no. CN2478741

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand that the information that Senator Carr is seeking can be viewed at the Department of Education and Training's website. The report found that the program, which has been evaluated since 2004, appropriately assists universities to meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. It complements but does not duplicate activities funded by the NDIS. It funds the barriers to higher education that students with disability ranked as most important to overcome, such as difficulties in completing assignments and exams and participating in lectures and tutorials, and is valued by university staff.

The evaluation identified areas for improvement, in particular the administrative requirements of the DSP pose a significant administrative burden for universities. Universities are completing a large number of claims for small amounts of money, with 57 per cent of 2013 claims for amounts between $500 and $1,499 accounting for only six per cent of allocated funds.

Question agreed to.