Every child deserves the right environment to learn and thrive.
That’s why Labor is delivering a brand-new specialist campus for students with autism in Melbourne’s north-west.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced a new Niddrie Autistic School campus will open in Term 4 this year.
The new campus will accommodate 32 Year 4 students.
Current Year 3 students will begin transitioning to the site later this year.
The campus is planned to expand to include Year 5 in 2028, so students can continue their education in a specialist setting without disruption.
It will have two classroom buildings with dedicated student amenities, a shared outdoor play area and a central playground – all designed around their needs.
Autism-specific schools and other specialist settings in Melbourne’s north-west continue to report growing enrolment demand.
Labor is acting to meet that demand.
The site was formerly the East Keilor Campus of Essendon Keilor College, which has been non-operational since late 2025 following extensive community consultation.
Every government specialist school in Victoria has had funding for an upgrade since 2015.
This includes Niddrie Autistic School – Niddrie Campus receiving $7.3 million in the 2018-19 budget for upgrades.
When the Liberals were last in government, they slashed $1 billion from the education budget.
They abandoned students who needed support the most.
Only Labor is delivering the schools and specialist settings that Victorian students and their families deserve.
For more information on Victoria’s new schools, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/new-schools.
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“No child should have to wait for the specialist support they need to succeed at school.”
“This purpose-built campus will give students with autism a world-class learning environment right in their own community – and that’s exactly what Labor delivers.”
As stated by Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
“This new campus will complement the great work of Jackson School in St Albans, providing more specialist education options and support for local families across Melbourne’s West.”
As stated by Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch
“This new campus means local families won’t have to travel far from home to access the specialist education their children deserve – another way Labor is delivering for our community.”
As stated by Member for Essendon Danny Pearson
“Every child in our community deserves a school environment where they can thrive, and this purpose-built campus is exactly the kind of investment Labor makes to back students with specialist needs.”
As stated by Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins
“Labor is making sure every Victorian child gets the support they need to succeed – this new campus is a fantastic outcome for students, families and the whole community.”
As stated by Principal at Niddrie Autistic School Lauren Topp
“I couldn’t be prouder of our students and what they achieve every day. This new campus gives them more space for specialist learning that will help them thrive.”
