Post School Services Program
Post School Services fact sheetDepartment of Communities (Disability Services) has a range of services and supports available to assist Queenslanders with a disability.
The completion of secondary schooling is one of the key times that Disability Services supports Queenslanders with a disability to live and participate in their local community.
- What can be supported during Post School Services?
- Who is eligible for Post School Services?
- How to apply for support?
- How will applications be processed?
- How is support provided?
- Updating your information
- Further information
What can be supported during Post School Services?
Post School Services assist people with a disability to experience a range of options and opportunities as they move toward establishing a life after school.
The supports help people with a disability and their families to plan for the future.
Disability Services connects people with funded service providers that can help them set and realise goals.
Some goals could include:
- strengthening communication skills
- learning how to use a computer or to catch public transport
- developing social skills, enhancing social interaction and community awareness
- maintaining and developing daily living skills and life skills
Who is eligible for Post School Services?
To be eligible for assistance for Post School Services, the person will need to meet the criteria outlined in the Disability Services Eligibility Policy.
They 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.
They 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 them 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 Post School Services the person must:
- be 18 years of age by 31 January in the year they start receiving the support
- have left, or be leaving school or an education program
- have a level of disability where they need disability-related supports.
How to apply for support?
There is one intake per year for Post School Services support.
To apply for assistance under Post School Services, the person will need to complete a Disability Services Application for Support. This form is available online at www.disability.qld.gov.au and at Disability Services regional offices.
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 regional office, or hand delivered to any Disability Services service centre located throughout Queensland.
How will applications be processed?
If the person meets the eligibility criteria, they will be contacted by a Disability Services Supports Facilitator to arrange a meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to verify information on the application form and seek additional information that may be relevant in prioritising need for assistance.
The Supports Facilitator uses information to complete a verification report, which is reviewed by a Regional Panel.
A Regional Panel then makes recommendations about the level and type of support to be made available to each person offered assistance.
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 recommended for services. People will be notified by letter of the outcome.
How is support provided?
Support will be provided through non-government service providers as either:
- group/block-funded support
- individualised support
- transitional, time-limited support
The type of support provided will depend upon the assessed need of each individual.
Group Support
Group based support is for those people who enjoy and would benefit from sharing activities and opportunities with others.
Group support is provided through block funded arrangements to assist people with a disability plan for their future and access services beyond the school environment.
Individualised Support
Individualised support is for people with high and complex support needs.
Individualised support is provided on a one-to-one basis, to assist people with a disability plan for their future and access services beyond the school environment.
Transitional Support
Transitional support enables a person to access disability-related supports to assist them to meet their goals of attending work, further education or community options.
Transitional support is available to an individual for a period of up to three years. It is designed to complement other supports that are already available in the community.
Updating your information
It is important to notify Disability Services of any changes to your circumstances that impact on the information you previously provided in the Disability Services 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 service centre.
Further information
- 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 reviewed: 15 October 2009