Special Schools on the Gold Coast: A Guide for Families Navigating the NDIS

If you are the parent of a child with disability on the Gold Coast, you already know how much work goes into finding the right school. But what about what comes after?

At Loving Life Support Services, we work alongside young people and their families every single day. We see first-hand how important the transition out of school is, and how overwhelming it can feel for families who are trying to figure out the next steps.

This guide is designed to do two things: give you a clear picture of the special schools available on the Gold Coast, and help you understand what NDIS support options look like when your child is ready to move into the next chapter of their life.

What Is a Special School?

In Queensland, special schools (also called state special schools) are government schools specifically designed for students with an intellectual disability that significantly impacts their ability to learn in a mainstream setting. Students may also have additional disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, physical impairment, or hearing or vision impairment.

Special schools offer tailored education programs from Prep through to Year 12, with a strong focus on life skills, independence, and individual outcomes.

Alongside state special schools, the Gold Coast also has a range of special assistance schools. These are independent private schools catering to students who have disengaged from mainstream schooling, have learning difficulties, or require a different educational approach.

School	Location	Year Levels	Approx. Students	Fees	Website
Coomera State Special School	Coomera	Prep – Year 12	~200	None	Visit
Currumbin Community Special School	Currumbin Waters	Prep – Year 12	~100	None	Visit
Mudgeeraba Special School	Mudgeeraba	Prep – Year 12	~150	None	Visit
Southport Special School	Southport	Prep – Year 12	~300	None	Visit

*We have done our best to ensure the information in this guide is accurate and up to date. However, school details including fees, year levels and enrolments can change. We recommend visiting each school's website or contacting them directly to confirm current information.

Gold Coast Special Assistance Schools

Special assistance schools offer alternative education pathways. Many support students who have disengaged from mainstream schooling, have specific learning needs, or require a different environment to thrive.

School	Location	Year Levels	Fees	Website
Arcadia College	Robina	Year 7 – Year 12	~$1,000/yr	Visit
BUSY Schools	Coolangatta	Year 11 – Year 12	None	Visit
BUSY Schools Southport Girls+	Southport	Year 11 – Year 12	None	Visit
Josiah College	Carrara	Prep – Year 11 (expanding to 12)	~$10,000–$11,500/yr	Visit
Mastery Schools Australia	Coolangatta, Varsity Lakes & Southport	Year 4 – Year 10	~$1,000/yr	Visit
MOB Academy (Boys only)	Southport	Year 11 – Year 12	$600/yr	Visit
South East Region Learning Centres	Helensvale & Varsity Lakes	15+ years	None	Visit
Southport Flexible Learning Centre	Southport	Year 7 – Year 12	None	Visit
Pacific Hope School	Tweed Heads NSW	Year 1 – Year 12	~$3,000–$3,700/yr	Visit
Toogoolawa School (Boys only)	Ormeau	Ages 9–15	$45/week	Visit

*We have done our best to ensure the information in this guide is accurate and up to date. However, school details including fees, year levels and enrolments can change. We recommend visiting each school's website or contacting them directly to confirm current information.

What Comes After School? Understanding NDIS Support for School Leavers

For families of students at special schools, the question of "what happens after Year 12" is one of the most significant they will face. The good news is that the NDIS includes specific funding supports designed for this exact transition.

Here is a simple overview of the key supports available for school leavers.

Core Supports

Core supports are often the foundation of a school leaver's NDIS plan. While Capacity Building supports help build skills and independence, Core supports fund the day to day assistance that makes community life possible.

For young people leaving school, Core supports can include:

Assistance with Daily Life - Support with everyday tasks and personal care, helping participants build routines and independence at home and in the community.

Assistance with Social and Community Participation - This is where 1:1 support workers and group programs come in. A support worker can help a young person get out into the community, try new activities, build friendships, and develop confidence in the world beyond school.

Group Programs - Many participants thrive in group settings, where they can connect with peers, learn new skills, and have fun in a supported environment. Group programs are a cost-effective way to use Core funding and can be a great first step for school leavers who are finding their feet.

Core supports are often flexible, meaning participants can generally use them across different providers and activities based on their goals and what is working for them.

Capacity Building Supports

Capacity Building supports are designed to help young people develop skills and work toward greater independence over time.

For school leavers, these can include:

Transition to Further Education - Skills training, help understanding options, and practical support to navigate the move from school into further education.

Employment Supports - For young people with employment goals, the NDIS can fund support to explore what work looks like, build essential workplace skills, try out different environments, and connect with employers. Every young person's journey looks different, and these supports are designed to flex around that.

Life Transition Planning - Not every school leaver is ready to jump straight into work or study, and that is completely okay. Life Transition Planning supports are available to help young people build confidence, independence, and community connection at their own pace. This can include mentoring, peer support, and individual skill development.

Support Coordination

A Support Coordinator can be invaluable during the school-to-life transition. They help families and participants understand what is in an NDIS plan, connect with the right providers, and make sure all the pieces of support are working together. If you have a new plan, but don't have funding for a Support Coordinator, we have built a handy tool to help you decipher what you can use for what!

NDIS Funding Explainer: What Can You Spend Your NDIS Funding On? | Loving Life Support Services

Every Plan Is Different

One of the most important things to understand about the NDIS is that no two plans look the same. The supports available to your child will depend on their individual goals, needs, and circumstances. What works for one young person may look completely different for another, and that is by design.

If you are not sure what is in your child's plan, what they are eligible for, or how to make the most of their funding as they leave school, you do not have to figure it out alone.

How Loving Life Support Services Can Help

At Loving Life Support Services, we support NDIS participants across the Gold Coast through 1:1 supports and group-based programs. We are passionate about helping young people, including school leavers, build independence, engage with their community, and work toward the life they want.

We understand the Gold Coast special school community well. We work alongside families and participants every day, and we know that the transition out of school can feel like stepping off a cliff.

It does not have to feel that way.

Get in touch with us today and let us have a conversation about what is possible for your child.