Leaving School: NDIS Support for the School Leaver Transition
NDIS school leaver support explained: SLES, employment and study pathways, planning early, turning 18, and how 2026-27 reforms may affect your plan.
What 'school leaver' means on the NDIS
The most important tip: start planning in Year 10 or 11
What are School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)?
What the NDIS funds vs what school and other systems cover
Your options after school: the main pathways
Turning 18 and the shift to an adult plan
How the 2026-27 reforms could affect a school leaver's plan
How to prepare for the planning meeting
A real-life scenario
Common pitfalls to avoid
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
When should we start planning for my child leaving school?
Start around Year 10, and firm things up through Year 11 and early Year 12. This gives time to visit providers, try work experience, and get the right supports funded before school ends. Raising it too late is the most common reason families end up with a gap between finishing school and starting the next step.
How long does SLES last?
School Leaver Employment Supports usually run for up to two years after leaving school, though the exact amount and duration depend on the individual's plan and goals. Because it is time-limited, it is worth planning the step after SLES — such as ongoing employment supports or further study — early rather than waiting until it ends. Confirm the current settings with the NDIA.
Will the 2026-27 reforms cut my school leaver's supports?
Critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of the participation reset. From 1 October 2026, allocations for social, civic and community participation supports are being reduced as plans renew, and this can affect some school leavers who use those supports. The real impact depends on how the plan is used, so no one can promise a specific outcome — confirm current details with the NDIA.
What changes when my young person turns 18?
Legally they become an adult and generally make their own NDIS decisions, and plans shift focus towards work, study and independent adult life. Turning 18 does not remove someone from the NDIS if they still have significant, ongoing functional impairment. Some Centrelink and concession arrangements also change at 18, so check those separately.
What does the NDIS fund versus the school?
The school and education system fund general teaching, curriculum and classroom aides. The NDIS funds disability-related supports that build the young person's own skills — like SLES, travel training and personal care. If you are told a support is 'not NDIS', ask which system is responsible rather than assuming it is unavailable.