Transition to further education
NDIS Capacity Building support
Support to plan and settle into further study after school, such as choosing a course, enrolling and getting the right supports in place.
The short answer
This support helps people finishing school to plan and settle into further study, such as choosing a course, enrolling and getting the right supports in place.
About Transition to further education
Moving from school to TAFE or university is a big change. There are many choices, applications to make and new environments to learn. Transition support helps by exploring options, working out which course suits your interests and abilities, and making a plan.
Once a course is chosen, help with enrolment and with contacting the education provider's disability service makes sure adjustments are in place from the start. Visiting the campus, learning the route and meeting staff before classes begin can reduce anxiety.
Starting early makes a difference. Beginning in the year before leaving school leaves time to explore, apply and prepare. Ask providers how they involve the student and family, how they work with schools and what support continues once study begins.
Who is this service for?
People finishing school who want to plan and settle into further study, such as TAFE or university.
What a typical session looks like
This support helps people move from school or work into further study, such as TAFE or university. A worker or mentor helps you to choose a course, understand entry requirements, complete applications and visit campuses. They also help you connect with the disability service at the institution to arrange adjustments.
Preparation might include practising travel to campus, learning how online systems work, meeting teaching staff and planning study routines. In the first weeks of study, the worker checks in regularly and helps solve problems early, such as timetable clashes or missing supports.
Who delivers this support
Transition support may come from support coordinators, education specialists, mentors and the disability service at the institution. Choose someone with knowledge of the study options and experience working with people with similar needs. It helps if they can work with your school or employer as well.
How to choose a provider
- Ask how the provider helps explore course options.
- Find out how they support applications and enrolment.
- Check how they work with the education provider's disability service.
- Ask whether they offer campus visits and practice travel.
- Ask what ongoing support is available once study begins.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will you help me choose a course that suits my goals?
- How will you help me with applications and getting adjustments in place?
- Can we visit the campus and practise the journey beforehand?
- How will you work with the disability service at the institution?
- How will you support me in the first weeks of study?
- How will we review whether the course is working for me?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a course without checking that it leads to what you want to do.
- Not contacting the disability service before the course starts.
- Not practising the journey and the online systems in advance.
- Leaving problems until exams approach.
- Not planning for what comes after the course.
Getting started
- Talk about study goals early with the student and school.
- Research courses and entry requirements.
- Contact the disability service at the education provider.
- Visit the campus and practise the journey.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Transition to further education links with higher education support, study skills, transport and life skills. It is also worth thinking about what you want to do afterwards, including employment, so that the course leads somewhere. Early planning makes it easier to arrange supports and adjustments in time.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Transition to further education if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Transition to further education is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Transition to further education that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Employment & education support providers on the NDIS register
5,959 NDIS providers list employment & education support supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing employment & education support
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 1care Services - NSW; includes Schofields, NSW
- 1kind Group - SA; includes Royston Park, SA
- 1n1 Care - QLD; includes Underwood, QLD
- 1st Ethical Provider - VIC; includes Berwick, VIC
- 1up Care - VIC; includes Wantirna South, VIC
- 2 Assist Home Care - QLD; includes Bohle, QLD
- 2 Include Enterprise - NSW; includes Gymea, NSW
- 24 Care Aus - ACT; includes Phillip, ACT
- 24 Family Care - VIC; includes Manor Lakes, VIC
- 24 Hour Support Services - VIC; includes Coburg, VIC
See all 5,959 employment & education support providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (2,143)
- Victoria (1,755)
- Queensland (990)
- South Australia (501)
- Western Australia (480)
- Northern Territory (131)
- Australian Capital Territory (124)
- Tasmania (107)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (228)
- Melbourne, VIC (202)
- Sydney, NSW (161)
- Central Coast, NSW (131)
- Liverpool, NSW (115)
- Perth, WA (114)
- Blacktown, NSW (110)
- Parramatta, NSW (104)
- Bankstown, NSW (87)
- Tarneit, VIC (85)
- Adelaide, SA (83)
- Geelong, VIC (78)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
- Anne Care Facilities - 101 areas
- Clover Leaf Sanctuary - 87 areas
- Allied Ability Support - 76 areas
- Caregiva - 70 areas
- Quality in Home Health (QHH) - 70 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Vision and orientation & mobility
- Behaviour support implementation
- Counselling
- Daily living and life skills development
Frequently asked questions
What does transition support include?
Help to choose a course, enrol, understand the supports available and settle into study.
When should I start?
Start early, ideally the year before. This gives time to explore options and arrange adjustments with the education provider.
What can the education provider do?
Most have disability services that arrange adjustments. Contact them early to discuss your needs.
When should we start?
The year before leaving school, if possible.
What if the student is not sure what to study?
Support includes exploring interests, taster courses and work experience.
Can support continue during study?
Yes. Ask providers how support can change once classes begin.
When should I start planning to move into further study?
As early as possible, since applications and adjustments can take time to arrange.
Can I get help with the application process?
Yes, a worker or mentor can help with choosing courses, completing forms and preparing for interviews.
What if the course turns out not to suit me?
Talk to your worker and the institution early. There may be options to change courses, adjust the load or take a break.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Transition to further education?
If Transition to further education is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Transition to further education provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.