Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Victorian Government has published its response to recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.

For more information visit Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Royal Commission report and recommendations

The Royal Commission Final Report was tabled by government in the Australian Parliament on 29 September 2023. In Volume 7, Part A, ‘Inclusive Education’ the Royal Commission made 15 recommendations about inclusive education.

You can read the final report Volume 7, Inclusive education, employment and housing on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability website.

The Victorian Government welcomes the inclusive education recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and its vision to create enduring and meaningful change to the experience of people with disability.

All education recommendations have been accepted in full, in principle or in part, except recommendation 7.14, to phase out and close specialist schools. The alternative recommendation, 7.15, to better integrate specialist schools with mainstream schools has been accepted in principle.

This is consistent with the department’s long-standing position and the Victorian Government’s commitment to providing parents and carers with the choice of enrolling their child in a school that is right for them.

While there is more work to do, the Victorian Government’s landmark $1.6 billion Disability Inclusion reform has delivered a new strengths-based funding model with additional school-level investment. It also includes new resources and initiatives to help schools be more inclusive, and work with families to identify students’ strengths and education adjustments needed so they can fully participate in learning.

We are building the inclusive education capabilities of mainstream schools to ensure students with disability can attend their local school with their peers and receive a high-quality education.

The Victorian Government will continue to make inclusive education part of everyday practice in all schools and classrooms while also giving students and families the choice to enrol in a school that meets their needs.

The Victorian Government responses can be viewed here.

The Australian Government and state and territory responses to the joint recommendations can be viewed here.