Disability Standards for Education 2005

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) protects people with disability from discrimination based on disability.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE) clarify the obligations of education and training providers under the DDA. The DSE seek to ensure that children and students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability.

The Australian Government has released:

  • Information resources to help students with disability and their caregivers understand their rights under the DSE
  • Information resources for education providers and educators explaining their obligations under the DSE.

Information resources for students with disability and their caregivers

These resources were designed by people with disability, with help from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) and the Australian Government. They provide practical information about the DSE. The DSE explain the rights of students with disability and the obligations of education providers to support and protect them.

Resources for students with disability and their caregivers (available in Easy Read, Auslan and other languages)

Information resources for education providers and educators

Education providers and educators have legal obligations to students with disability under the DDA and the DSE. You can find out more in this set of information resources designed for education providers and educators.

Resources for education providers and educators

Reviews of the Disability Standards for Education 2005

The DSE are reviewed every 5 years to find out how they could be improved. 

Find out more information on the 2025 Review

You can also find information on the 2020 Review, 2015 Review and the 2010 Review.

More information

To ask any questions or get help with accessing information on this page, please email: disabilitystrategy@education.gov.au.