The Allan Labor Government is giving more students with disability the opportunity to receive hydrotherapy at Victorian specialist schools – giving schools the infrastructure they need to support all students in-house.
Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced the brand-new hydrotherapy pools will be built at seven schools across Victoria as part of the $25 million Hydrotherapy Pools at Specialist Schools fund, delivering on the promise the Labor Government made to Victorians at the 2022 election.
The pools will be built at Ballarat Specialist School, Yarraville Special Developmental School, East Gippsland Specialist School, Lake Colac School, Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School, Bass Coast Specialist School, and Springvale Park Special Developmental School.
Hydrotherapy is a valuable treatment that can offer children and young people with disability improved physical health and wellbeing – and having the pools at schools minimises the need for students to take time away from their education and appointments – while reducing the travel burden on parents and carers.
The Victorian School Building Authority will oversee the construction of the hydrotherapy pools in consultation with schools, with all projects to be completed by September 2026.
The $25 million fund is part of a wider $235 million Labor Government investment in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to support students with disability or additional needs in schools.
This includes $121.7 million to continue and expand High Intensity Outside School Hours Care across Victoria, $21.2 million to introduce NDIS Navigators into all specialist schools by the end of 2025, and $31.8 million to providing specialist transport through the Students with Disabilities Transport program.
In addition, the Government is investing nearly $1.6 billion in the Disability Inclusion program to better respond to the needs of students with disability, ensuring they can achieve their full potential at school and beyond.
For more information, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/hydrotherapy-pools-for-specialist-schools-fund.
As stated by Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“We are making it easier for parents and carers to access hydrotherapy treatments for their child by providing these facilities in more specialist schools across the state.”
“Our record investment in delivering the biggest reform to disability support for Victorian schools will give our hard-working students and staff the facilities they deserve.”
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“The new hydrotherapy pools at our specialist schools will ensure this treatment remains accessible and will make a huge difference to the wellbeing of students living with a disability.”
