Enrolments
There are many programs and resources available to help schools meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities. The Department of Education Victoian Government website Starting School is a useful source of information.
The Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) and Disability Inclusion (SSV) gives government schools funding to help them support students with disability and high needs. Western Autistic School students must first meet eligibility criteria under the catergory of Autism Spectrum Disorder under PSD or SSV to commence / proceed with enrolment.
This process commences at the students designated neighbourhood schools (DNS) the year prior to the students prep/foundation year. Western Autistic School is not a designated neighbourhood school. The following website will assist you in finding your designated neighbourhood school https://www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au
Further information
https://www.vic.gov.au/programs-students-disability
Our School
Western Autistic School is a Victoria Government school which offers an early year’s program for children with Autism in prep foundation until grade 3 (approx. between 5 and 9 years old).
At Western Autistic School the individual child is at the centre of our work. The foundation of our teaching is the child’s own interests and motivations which form the basis of their learning, in building new skills and self-esteem. We emphasise the wellbeing, inclusion, and happiness of each child.
Register your Interest
Please register interest at the school office by calling 9097 2000 or via email nicole.smith3@education.vic.gov.au.
We will add your information to the prep foundation database for future students in the year your child will start school. We will ask for information about your child and their age including asking some screening questions to determine if you should progress down the track of applying at their local designated neighbourhood school (goverment) with Western Autistic School as a preference.
Open Days Prep Foundation 2026 intake (Information webex sessions and walk and talk onsite tour sessions)
Webex Parent Information Session (online/virtually from your home) for 2026 intake
Each session commences with a short presentation by the Principal and a leading teacher from our prep/transitions team [or a representative on behalf of the principal] these session provide families with information about the school, what a typical day at WAS looks like, the enrolment process for funding and a Q & A. Session will go for 45 minutes with the Q & A at the end which may go longer depending on the amount of questions. No need for a booking once you have contacted enrolments your details will be collected and invitations sent to you at the time of these sessions. Families are welcome to attend both terms or either session. Each session included the same information.
Term 2
April 30th 2025 at 5:00pm via Webex
Term 3
July 30th 2025 at 5:00pm via Webex
Walk and Talk Onsite Tours
Our walk and talk tours are an opportunity to physically view the school, families will visit a classroom and the school facilities. At the conclusion of each tour, families will have an opportunity to compete an expression of interest form [also shared electronically at various points throughout the year]. This will be kept on file until eligability is approved and an enrolment accepted for Western Autistic School for the prep foundation 2026 intake.
Term 2 Week 3 through to Week 10
Term 3 Week 3 through to Week 8
Booking are essential (required) as numbers are restricted to a size which can easily move around the school.
Please contact the school office by calling 9097 2000 or via email nicole.smith3@education.vic.gov.au for next tour date with availability.
Enrolment Policy
This can be found on our documents tab in the above menu under policies.
Transition Enrolment Years 1–3
Please contact us for further information regarding years 1 to 3, by calling 9097 2000 or via email nicole.smith3@education.vic.gov.au.
Disability Inclusion
The Victorian Government has launched Disability Inclusion, a new world leading reform package for children with disability in Victorian government schools. Visit Disability Inclusion: extra support for children with disability for more information. During the transition in from the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) to Disability Inclusion (DI) updates will be shared with families promptly, processes may change under the new reform, the eligibility criteria for enrolment will remain the same for WAS under DI, the application process is now referred to as a specialist school verification (SSV).
Designated Transport Area - Student Transport (Bus)
As a specialist school we do no not have a specified enrolment zone, we do have a Designated Transport Area (DTA) student must reside within this are to access student transport offering including the school bus service.
