Attaining a higher level of education is generally associated with better employment outcomes and higher income, which are key factors in attaining economic security and independence.
An estimated 90% of children aged 5–18 with disability go to primary or secondary school—the same as children without disability. However, people with disability aged 15–64 are less likely to be studying for a non-school qualification (10%) than people without disability (15%).
Most (86%) school students with disability go to a mainstream school, while 14% go to a special school. School students with severe or profound disability (26%) are far more likely than other students with disability (3.6%) to go to a special school.
People with disability are more likely than people without disability to leave school early and to have a lower level of education.
Table EDUCATION.1: Level of educational attainment, by disability status
|
Level of educational attainment
|
With disability(a)
|
Without disability(a)
|
|
Aged 15–64 who left school before age 16(b)
|
19%
|
11%
|
|
Aged 20 and over who have completed Year 12
|
32%
|
62%
|
|
Aged 20 and over who have a Bachelor degree or higher
|
15%
|
31%
|
(a) Living in households (2015).
(b) Who acquired disability before age 15.
Not all students with disability who need support with their education receive it.
Table EDUCATION.2: Whether receives enough support in education, by type of student
|
Whether receives enough support in education
|
Primary and secondary school students with disability(a)
|
Students with disability studying for a non-school qualification(b)
|
|
Do not receive or need support
|
33%
|
74%
|
|
Do not receive support but need it
|
9.3%
|
7.6%
|
|
Receive support but need more
|
23%
|
7.3%
|
|
Receive support and do not need more
|
35%
|
12%
|
(a) Aged 5–18 living in households (2015).
(b) Aged 15–64 living in households (2015).