STILL ENROLLED. STILL FUNDED BY THE TAXPAYER. STILL NOT AT SCHOOL.

SIX months without an education. And who is paying the price? Austin and his family.

Since 20 May 2026, our 12-year-old son Austin, who has severe intellectual and complex disabilities and is completely non-verbal, has remained at home because his school has not safely meet his individual support needs under its current and past arrangements.

But here’s the question every taxpayer should be asking:

If Austin remains enrolled at Yarrabah Specialist School, what happens to the government funding allocated in respect of his education and disability support while he cannot attend? We know, based on the level of funding Austin’s disability delivers to the school, it is approximately $60,000 dollars (taxpayer dollars) per year!

As parents, we continue paying our taxes, while also paying privately for the care and support Austin needs every day he remains at home and in our care.

“The public” funds the state government school he is enrolled at. WE fund his support at home. Yet Austin is the one missing out on his education.

Despite months of correspondence, meetings and escalating our concerns to the highest levels of the Victorian Department of Education, we are still awaiting a proposed Return-to-School Plan that adequately addresses Austin’s complex needs.

We are not asking for luxury, privilege or special treatment. We are asking for a safe education for a child who cannot speak for himself.

Austin remains enrolled. We have not withdrawn him. We have not chosen homeschooling.

We want our son back in his classroom, with appropriately skilled support from someone who understands his disabilities, communication and safety needs. Not random ES’s (Aids) that are assigned to him only for him to suffer incidents.

How many more school days must Austin lose before a workable solution is reached?

Please share Austin’s story and help us keep his right to education in the spotlight.

We are now over 700 signatures. Surely 700 voices mean something! 

Thankyou for continuing to share 🙏🏽

Love,

Austin’s mum X

#LetAustinLearnSafely