Revealed: Private school students reap thousands more than public students in disability funding

Students with a disability who attend private schools are likely to receive more funds than those in the state system. Photograph: Fairfax Media/Getty Images

Wealthy private schools are receiving a government assistance payment for students with disabilities up to six times higher than that received in the public system.

A Guardian Australia investigation has uncovered a vast disparity in the funding flowing to high-needs students as mainstream schools struggle to support the almost 1 million students in Australia now reporting a disability.