Post school services program
What is the Post school services program?
The Post school services program assists young people with a disability who are 18 years of age and are transitioning from school.
The program helps young people with a disability and their families to plan for the future.
The program also connects you with funded service providers that can help you set and realise goals.
Some goals could include:
- developing new communication skills or improve on existing ones
- learning how to use a computer
- gaining some skills around the house that will help you to be more independent in the future.
Who is eligible to receive assistance through the program?
To be eligible for assistance through the program, you will need to meet the criteria outlined in the Disability Services Queensland Eligibility Policy1.
You must be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent Australian resident
- a temporary protection visa holder
- a New Zealand citizen who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001
- a member of a family on a work or study visa sponsored by the Australian government.
You must also live in Queensland and have a disability that:
- is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments
- results in a substantial reduction of the person’s capacity in one or more of the following areas: communication; social interaction, learning, mobility, or self care/management
- results in you needing support and
- is permanent or likely to be permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature) and
- manifests itself before the age of 65.
To be eligible to apply for the program you must:
- be 18 years of age by 31 January in the year you start receiving the support
- have left, or be leaving special school or a special education program
- have a level of disability where you need a lot of support
- not be able to go to university or TAFE or get a job.
How do I apply for support?
There is one intake per year for the program. This will occur prior to the end of the school year.
A Disability Services Queensland Application for support is required for a person with a disability to register or apply for Disability Services Queensland specialist disability services.
Copies of the application for support and the guide to completing the application for support are also available at any Disability Services Queensland service centre.
The application for support can be completed by a person with a disability over the age of 18, or by a family member (if the applicant is under 18 or unable to apply on their own behalf). A carer, advocate or service provider may also complete the application for support, if requested by the applicant.
The application for support can be posted to the nearest Disability Services Queensland regional office, or hand delivered to any Disability Services Queensland service centre located throughout Queensland.
The closing date for applications is 27 June 2008.
Please note that applying for support and assistance does not guarantee support will be made available.
An application update form should be submitted if your circumstances change. It is not necessary to re-apply.
How do we process your application?
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you and your family or carer will be contacted by a Disability Services Queensland supports facilitator to arrange a meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to clarify information on the application form and seek additional information that may be relevant in prioritising your need for assistance.
Our supports facilitator uses information to complete a verification report, which is reviewed by a regional priority panel.
A regional funding panel then makes recommendations about the level of funding to be made available to each person offered assistance through Post-school services.
In some circumstances, one-off funding to purchase aids, equipment or time-limited therapy may be made available.
Not all applications that are verified will be approved for funding. You will be notified by a letter if you are successful or not.
How is support provided?
Funding is allocated to a nominated funded service provider on your behalf. The funded service provider will then provide the direct support to you.
The Post school services - adult lifestyle support (formerly Moving ahead) program provides transition support to young people who have high and complex support needs resulting from their disability. To be eligible they must be 18 years of age, reside in Queensland, and have no other support options such as pre vocational training or employment.
Updating your information
It is important to notify DSQ of any changes to your circumstances that impact on the information you previously provided in the DSQ application for support.
You should provide details of the changes by completing the application update form. Copies of the application update form and the Guide to completing the application update are available online here and at any Disability Services Queensland service centre.
Further information
For further advice or assistance regarding the Post school services - adult lifestyle support program or to submit a DSQ application for support, please contact your nearest DSQ regional office.
- Freecall:
- 1800 177 120
- TTY:
- 1800 010 222
1 These criteria reflect the definitions provided in section 11 of the Disability Services Act 2006.
Last updated June 2008