On the Gold Coast, families have access to a range of special assistance schools and alternative education providers that cater to children and teens with disabilities, health-related conditions, learning difficulties, or those who have disengaged from mainstream schooling.
These government and independent private schools offer tailored education programs that go beyond the standard Australian school curriculum, providing specialized learning environments designed to empower and support students with diverse needs.
We've put together a list and interactive map of all special assistance schools across the Gold Coast
Gold Coast Private Special Assistance Schools
These independent private schools offer unique educational programs and support to cater to the diverse needs and circumstances of students in primary, middle and senior school.
Arcadia College | Robina
Arcadia College is a co-educational secondary school located in Robina, catering for students from Year 7 to Year 12 who have disengaged from mainstream schooling, offering an alternative approach to education. As a Special Assistance School, they cater for a diverse range of students’ learning, emotional, psychological and physical needs.
Fees/levies: approx. $1,000 per year
BUSY Schools | Coolangatta
BUSY Schools offers an alternative schooling approach for disengaged students in Year 11 and Year 12 to re-engage with education and complete school and continue into a career path or further education.
Fees/levies: none
BUSY Schools Southport Girls+ | Southport (Girls only, including those who identify as female)
The BUSY Schools in Southport is for girls, and those who identify as female, and provides them with a chance to re-engage with their education. They offer an inclusive and supportive educational environment for Year 11 & 12 high school students.
Fees/levies: none
Josiah College | Carrara
Josiah College is a small multi-denominational Christian school that provides specialist educational programs for Junior and Senior school-aged students with autism spectrum disorder. Currently offering Prep to Year 11, expanding to include Year 12 in 2025.
Fees/levies: approx. $10,000 – $11,500 per year
Mastery Schools Australia | Coolangatta, Varsity Lakes & Southport
Mastery Schools Australia is a new concept Middle School that focusses exclusively on the needs of students Year 4-10 who have fallen behind or are experiencing learning difficulties, with a particular focus on supporting students with dyslexia. They aim to develop the academic foundations and resilience that will allow students to re-enter mainstream education. There are three campuses on the Gold Coast, located in Coolangatta, Varsity Lakes and in Southport.
Fees/levies: approx. $1,000 per year
MOB Academy | Southport (Boys only)
Men of Business Academy is a Senior Secondary School for students in Year 11 & 12 who are looking for alternative learning to mainstream schooling. The MOB Academy promotes workforce and career focused education in addition to a formalised health and well-being program.
Fees/levies: $600 per year
South East Region's Learning Centres | Helensvale & Varsity Lakes
The Learning Centres offer innovative learning opportunities across three campuses: Helensvale and Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast, and Eagleby/Beenleigh, just north of the Gold Coast. These centres provide alternative education pathways for students 15 years and older who have disengaged from mainstream schooling, allowing them to complete the Year 10-12 Queensland State Education Curriculum. Additionally, students can pursue nationally accredited Certificate courses. The programs stand out for their condensed delivery and accessibility, catering especially to learners who are ineligible for or have disconnected from traditional education systems.
Southport Flexible Learning Centre | Southport
The Southport Flexible Learning Centre falls under the banner of Edmund Rice Education Australia. The school is committed to working with young people who wish to re-engage with education, and who have found challenges at mainstream school. It is a catholic, co-educational school for Year 7 to Year 12.
Fees/levies: none
Pacific Hope School | Tweed Heads, NSW
Pacific Hope School located inside Pacific Coast Christian School, just across the border in Tweed Heads, is a caring Christian school community that caters for students with autism spectrum disorder or a mild to moderate intellectual disability, from Year 1 to Year 12.
Fees/levies: approx. $3,000 - $3,700 per year
Toogoolawa School | Ormeau (Boys only)
Toogoolawa School is an alternative provider of education for boys aged 9 to15 years who no longer attend or are no longer welcome in mainstream schooling. Their teachings are designed around the five values of Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-violence. Mindfulness Meditation is central in its practices. The school has approx 120 students.
Fees/levies: $45 per week
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Gold Coast State Schools
In Queensland all children can enroll at their local state school, and students with a disability can expect reasonable adjustments to be made to enable them to learn alongside their peers. Additionally, many of the state primary and high schools offer a Special Education Program to more specifically target and support students with a disability or those who struggle in the mainstream classroom.
Gold Coast Special Schools
If your child has an intellectual disability that, either alone or in combination with other disabilities, severely impacts their ability to learn, you may choose to enroll at one of the state special schools:
Coomera State Special School opened in February 2022 for students from Prep to Year 12 with an intellectual disability. Students may have additional disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, physical impairment, hearing or vision impairment. The school has approx.200 students.
Fees/levies: none
The small community school located in Currumbin Water provides education from Prep to Year 12 for approx. 100 students with a verified intellectual disability and possible secondary impairments including hearing, vision, physical and autism spectrum disorders.
Fees/levies: none
Mudgeeraba Special School is an independent state public school for special students with a diagnosed intellectual disability. The school caters to students from Prep to Year 12 and has approx 150 enrolments.
Fees/levies: none
The Southport Special School is an independent public school catering for students from Prep to Year 12 with severe intellectual disability, and possible additional disabilities, including autism, hearing, vision or physical impairments. The school caters to approx 300 students.
Fees/levies: none
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Map Special Assistance Schools Gold Coast
Click on the expand symbol [ ] in the top right corner to enlarge the map or click on the open menu symbol in the top left corner (next to the title) to open the menu & filter schools or click on the school symbols on the map for more information.
Disclaimer:
We have in preparing this information used our best endeavours to ensure that the information contained herein is true and accurate but accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability in respect of any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misstatements that may occur
