The equity loading must be used to meet schoolobligations to students with disability under the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

Through this equity loading, every mainstream NSW public school receives a learning and support teacher allocation. These teachers work directly within the school to provide additional support for students.

In 2026, the low level adjustment for disability equity loading is provided to more than 2,066 mainstream NSW public schools to support their students.

How is the equity loading calculated?

In addition to the learning and support teacher allocation, the equity loading also provides mainstream schools with flexible funding to support their students with disability.

The calculations for the equity loading use data from:

• the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), the annual collection of information about students with disability
• the Student Learning Needs Index (SLNI) , which uses literacy and numeracy data from the most recent 3 years of NAPLAN data
• school enrolments.

Schools must show how they will address the needs of their students with disability in their School Excellence Plan (SEP). Accountability for the use and impact of the equity loading occurs through the school’s annual report and the annual reflection of needs-based funding.

Schools must use the equity loading in the year for which it is provided.

The low level adjustment for disability equity loading does not apply to schools for specific purposes (SSPs).

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