External Service Providers

The NSW Department of Education recognises that externally funded service providers have a role in delivering services to children and young people with additional health, disability and wellbeing needs that support their participation in school. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for these services to be delivered at school.

The department has established processes to support schools to meet legislative and policy requirements when considering whether to grant access to an externally funded provider to deliver its services to students on school premises and during school hours. Please note; from Term 1, 2026, all external service providers will only be permitted to deliver therapy sessions to students after 10:45am. This change ensures that core learning programs remain uninterrupted during the morning session.

All providers must have completed and submitted the required documentation and training and be approved by the Principal prior to their first visit. To support a smooth start to the school year, therapy sessions will commence in Week 5 of Term 1, allowing students time to settle into their new classes and routines.

Decisions around whether to provide access to externally funded providers are a matter for the school principal, based on whether it is in the best educational interests of the student, and considering the school’s duty of care towards all staff and students. Principals have discretion to grant or not grant school access to an external provider, taking into consideration:

·      the impact of the service on curriculum requirements and the student’s participation in learning activities,

·      the extent to which the service supports the student’s learning needs or enhances access to education,

·      the impact of the service on other students and/or the operations of the school.

For more information, please visit NDIS in schools page.

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