❓ Mr Staltari asks about waitlists for Specialised Autism Learning Programs, interim schooling options, and expansion plans. The Minister provides information on enrolment policies, mainstream school support, and recent program expansion, but declines to provide specific waitlist numbers due to privacy concerns.
AnsweredQoN 1034Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Legislative Assembly QoN 575, and I ask: (a) For each of the schools listed in the answer to this question, how long is the waitlist for enrolment at each Specialised Autism Learning Program; (b) When a child is placed on a waitlist for a Specialised Autism Learning Program, what does departmental policy advise they attend in the interim; and (c) Does the Government have any plans to expand the number of Specialised Autism Learning Programs offered in WA public schools beyond the current number?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 April 2026
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
16 days
(a) When a student meets both eligibility and suitability requirements, they are placed on a waitlist until a place becomes available in an appropriate year group. The number of students on each school’s waitlist cannot be provided as the small cohort size creates a risk of identifying individual students, and therefore cannot be released for confidentiality reasons.
(b) Children of compulsory school age have a right of enrolment at their local public school in accordance with the Department of Education’s Enrolment in Public Schools Policy and Procedures.
Most students with disability, including those with autism, are enrolled in mainstream schools. All mainstream schools have access to a broad range of services and resources that enable them to meet the needs of students with disability.
(c) In 2025, the number of Specialised Learning Programs for students with autism expanded to 24 schools, including Eden Hill Primary School and Kiara College.
The Department of Education continues to closely monitor enrolment numbers across the state to inform future planning.
(b) Children of compulsory school age have a right of enrolment at their local public school in accordance with the Department of Education’s Enrolment in Public Schools Policy and Procedures.
Most students with disability, including those with autism, are enrolled in mainstream schools. All mainstream schools have access to a broad range of services and resources that enable them to meet the needs of students with disability.
(c) In 2025, the number of Specialised Learning Programs for students with autism expanded to 24 schools, including Eden Hill Primary School and Kiara College.
The Department of Education continues to closely monitor enrolment numbers across the state to inform future planning.
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