Higher Education Disability Support Program (DSP)
In the Higher Education Disability Support Program (DSP) 
there are three distinct programs designed to promote equality of opportunity in higher education for students with disability, all funded under the Higher Education Support Act.
Program Overview
The three Disability Support Programs are:
- Disability Support Fund - Direct funding to universities
- Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) - Information and resource hub
- Capacity Building Fund - Sector-wide capability development
1: Disability Support Fund
Purpose
Provides supplementary funding to Table A providers (universities) to attract domestic students with disability and deliver appropriate support for their success.
Funding Allocation Method
Universities receive grants calculated from two components:
1. Enrolments-based Grant (55% of available funds)
- Based on the university's proportion of enrolled domestic students with disability
- Uses data from the Tertiary Collection of Student Information (TCSI)
2. High Cost Needs Grant (45% of available funds)
- For students requiring educational support exceeding $5,000 annually (2024 baseline, indexed)
- Based on verified claims for actual expenses incurred
- Cannot exceed actual expenses claimed
Approved Spending Categories
Grant funds may only be used for:
- Activities to attract and support students with disability
- Educational support and equipment
- Course content modifications, including Universal Design for Learning implementation
- Staff training for disability support
- Salaries for dedicated disability support staff
- Bulk purchase of information and communication technology licences
Prohibited Spending
Funds cannot be used for:
- Infrastructure construction and maintenance
- General operational costs for disability services
- Personal care services
- Support available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Requirements
- Evidence-based needs assessment following Disability Standards for Education 2005
- Maintain 7-year records of medical/specialist advice
- Publish disability assessment procedures online
- Annual reporting to the Department
2: Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training
Purpose
Provides a centralised website hosting information, advice and downloadable resources for disability practitioners, teachers and students to promote inclusive teaching practices.
Structure
- Funded through a single grant to one chosen provider
- Minister determines specific conditions and grant amount
- Operates on annual funding cycle
3: Capacity Building Fund
Purpose
Funds one higher education provider to deliver capacity building support across the sector, strengthening other institutions' capabilities to support students with disability.
Structure
- Project-based funding rather than annual grants
- Single provider selected to deliver sector-wide support
- Focus on developing internal skills, processes and resources
- Minister retains discretion over grant conditions and amounts
Changes to the Higher Education Disability Support Program in 2025
On 18 December 2024, the Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP, announced the increase funding to the Disability Support Fund (DSF): Australian Universities Accord: 2024-25 MYEFO Summary - Department of Education, Australian Government. Subsequently, in February 2025, the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022 were revised to give effect to the increased Disability Support Funding and additional eligible activities.
The funding increase has revised guidelines which can be found here Federal Register of Legislation - Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022 within Part 3, clause 39. There are a broader range of activities the funding can be used for.
Key Changes
New Definitions and Framework The guidelines introduce Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a formal educational framework, incorporating CAST's UDL Guidelines 3.0. This framework aims to make education more accessible by designing learning goals, materials, methods and assessments that accommodate learner diversity from the outset.
Revised Funding Structure
The amendment restructures funding for three Disability Support Programs:
- Total funding for 2025: $53,905,928
- 2026 onwards: Indexed amounts starting from $53,490,328 for 2026
- Funding is distributed across the Disability Support Fund, Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET), and the new Capacity Building Fund
Enhanced Spending Categories
Universities can now use Disability Support Fund grants for additional purposes, including:
- Implementation of Universal Design for Learning using CAST's UDL Guidelines 3.0
- Bulk purchase of information and communication technology licences to support students with disability
- Traditional activities like educational support, equipment, staff training, and course modifications
New Capacity Building Fund
A completely new program designed to:
- Provide one higher education provider with funding to support other institutions
- Build internal capabilities across the sector for supporting students with disability
- Strengthen skills, processes and resources to help students access, participate and succeed in higher education
Administrative Changes
- Reduced minimum claim threshold from $10,631 to $5,000
- Clarification that grant funds cannot be double-counted when claiming educational support expenses
- The Minister retains discretion over grant conditions and amounts for the Capacity Building Fund
These changes represent a significant shift towards systemic capacity building and universal design principles in supporting students with disability across Australian higher education.
Updated May 2025
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