Special provisions support students with learning difficulties, disabilities, or medical conditions to participate fairly in school assessments and exams. If you’re exploring special provisions for your child, this guide will help you understand what support is available and how to access it in each state and territory across Australia.
What Are Special Provisions?
Special provisions, also referred to as disability provisions, are adjustments made to some exam and assessment conditions that allow students with additional needs to have the same opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without being impeded by their disability or health. These provisions are not designed to give students an advantage – instead, they remove barriers that might prevent them from showing their true capabilities. The goal is to provide equitable access to education, ensuring all students have a fair opportunity to show what they know and can do while maintaining the integrity and standards of the assessment.
Who Can Access Special Provisions?
Students may be eligible to access special provisions if they have a diagnosed disability, mental health condition or illness that impacts their ability to complete assessments or exams under standard conditions. Documentation from a psychologist, GP, allied health professional or other medical specialist will need to be provided to support the application, which is prepared by the school. This documentation should clearly describe your child’s condition and explain how it impacts their ability to complete assessments under standard conditions.
Students who may be eligible for special provisions include those with:
- Learning disabilities such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia
- Physical disabilities and conditions such as hearing or vision loss, cerebral palsy or spina bifida
- Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, Autism or Intellectual Developmental Disorder (Intellectual Disability)
- Medical conditions such as diabetes or chronic fatigue syndrome
- A temporary injury such as a broken arm or post-surgery recovery
- An intermittent condition such as back pain when sitting for extended periods
- Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression
Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not guarantee that special provisions will be granted. Provisions are determined based on how the condition impacts the individual’s ability to complete the assessment under standard conditions. Students with the same condition may receive different approved provisions based on their individual needs and documentation.
Types of Provisions Commonly Available
Different types of special provisions are available depending on your child’s specific needs and how their condition impacts their ability to participate in assessments. These adjustments ensure students can demonstrate their knowledge while maintaining the academic standards of the assessment.
Common provisions include:
Extra Time
Students may receive additional time to complete their assessments. This is usually given as 5 minutes per half hour (often called ‘time and a half’) or in some cases, 10 minutes per half hour (double time).
Rest Breaks
Students can access supervised breaks during assessments where the exam time is stopped. These breaks don’t count towards the allocated examination time and allow students to rest, take medication, use the bathroom, or move around.
Separate Supervision
Some students may sit their assessments in a separate room with fewer students or one-on-one supervision. This can help reduce anxiety and minimise distractions.
Technology and Equipment
Depending on the assessment and student needs, special provisions might include:
- Use of a computer or laptop for typing
- Text-to-speech or screen reading software
- Speech-to-text technology
- Ergonomic furniture
- Special lighting or heating/cooling requirements
Reader and/or Writer
A reader can read the questions to the student, and a writer can write or type the student’s responses. This support person cannot explain, rephrase, or interpret the questions or help formulate answers.
Alternative Formats
Assessment papers may be provided in different formats including:
- Large print
- Different coloured paper
- Braille
- Electronic format
Applying for Special Provisions
Applying for special provisions requires planning and preparation. Here’s what you need to know to support your child’s application.
When to Apply
Start the application process early. Most education authorities recommend beginning at least 6-12 months before major external exams. For school-based assessments, speak with your school as early as possible to ensure supports are in place when needed.
School provisions can be applied for even if you are unsure if your child will use them. Your child can make a decision on the day to not use them, but the application process is long so if you are unsure, it is recommended to apply anyway.
Documentation Required
Your child’s school is responsible for preparing and submitting an application for special provisions. However, you can assist this process by ensuring the school has all the documentation they will need support the application. To be approved for special provisions, you will need to provide evidence of how your child’s condition impacts their ability to complete assessments under standard conditions. Some of the supporting documentation you need to provide may include:
- Current reports (within last 12 months) from a GP, allied health professional or medical professional
- School perspective and evidence of what they are already doing to support your child and how your child’s condition affects their assessment performance
- Examples of your child’s work with and without provisions (where applicable)
- Any previous history of provisions used
State Variations
All Australian students with disability can have access to reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, but the types of provisions, terminology and application processes vary from state to state.
New South Wales
In NSW, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) oversees special provisions and uses the term ‘Disability Provisions’. Individual schools are responsible for managing disability provisions for school-based assessments using the NESA guidelines. For HSC exams, families must make a formal application through NESA. Applications for HSC Disability Provisions open in Term 4 of Year 11 and close in Term 2 in Year 12. Emergency applications can be made up until the exams such as in the event of an injury. Families can speak to teachers or year advisers to apply.
Victoria
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) refers to provisions as ‘Special Examination Arrangements‘ for VCE exams. Schools must apply on behalf of students, and applications are usually due in early March of the year the student will sit their exams.
Queensland
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) uses the term ‘Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments’ (AARA). Schools manage arrangements for school-based assessments, while QCAA manages provisions for external assessment.
South Australia and Northern Territory
The SACE Board uses the term ‘Special Provisions‘ and requires applications to be submitted through schools. Different deadlines apply for written exams and school-based assessments.
Western Australia
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) refers to these as ‘Special Examination Arrangements‘ for WACE exams. Applications must be submitted early in the year of the examinations.
Tasmania
The Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) manages ‘Special Provisions’ for TCE examinations, with applications typically due by the end of Term 2 in the year the exams are being taken.
National
Special provisions are available for NAPLAN assessments and must be arranged through your child’s school. Schools will be notified when application are open. This is usually early in the year, but early applications may be made from Term 4 of the year prior to the NAPLAN exam.
Tips for Parents Applying for Special Provisions
Supporting your child to access special provisions can feel overwhelming. There are several steps that can require a lot of time and effort to ensure a positive outcome for your child. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the process successfully.
Start Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to explore special provisions. There are many things you can do long before applying for special provisions such as gathering documentation and updating medical reports that are more than 12 months old.
Trial Provisions
If your child is going to be accessing special provisions, make sure they have the opportunity to trial using these provisions outside of the assessment or exam. Using provisions is often very different to the experience of working in a class and may be different to other accommodations your child’s teacher has put in place. Your child should feel just as comfortable using provisions as they are not using them, so practice using readers, writers and technology as much as possible at home and in the classroom so they can feel confident on the day.
Stay Informed
Work closely with your child’s school so you can keep up to date with:
- Application deadlines
- Changes to provision guidelines
- Required documentation updates
- Your child’s ongoing needs
Listen to your child
Involve your child in discussions about special provisions so they can understand what they are and feel confident using them. Ask them what they find challenging, if they feel comfortable using the provisions and whether the provisions help them.
Special provisions are an important support that can help your child demonstrate their true abilities in assessments and exams. While the application process may seem complex, remember that schools, education authorities and health professionals are there to support you and your child. By understanding what’s available, preparing early, and working closely with your school, you can ensure your child has access to the provisions they need to feel confident in their education journey.
For more information about special provisions in your state or territory, contact your child’s school or visit your state education authority’s website.
If your child requires a psychological assessment as part of your special provisions documentation, Learning Links can help.
