Queensland’s largest special school delivery on track

The David Crisafulli Government’s historic build of seven new special schools is moving ahead, marking what officials say is the largest‑ever state investment of its kind in Queensland. An allocated $500 million will fund the schools, providing families with greater choice and specialist support for students with higher learning and care needs. 

Special school enrolments in Queensland have increased by more than 38 per cent since 2019, according to the government. The rapid growth, combined with what the government describes as years of under‑investment by the former administration, left many families without access to appropriate support in the early years of their children’s education.

Construction and planning for all seven schools are underway, with staged completions scheduled between 2027 and 2029. Specific project updates include:

• Logan Reserve – Early civil works begun; detailed design is 100 per cent complete. 
• Central Logan (Berrinba) – Site remediation completed; main construction will begin shortly.
• Ipswich West – Early construction works underway.
• Coomera – Tender package expected later in 2025; contract award targeted for early 2026.
• Springfield/Redbank, Beenleigh, and Moreton Bay South – Planning and community consultation in progress.

Education Minister John‑Paul Langbroek said the program offers parents genuine choice, enabling them to select schooling options tailored to their child’s needs. “Our special schools are specifically designed to meet the needs of students, giving them the best start in life and empowering them to reach their full potential,” he said.

The school‑build program is part of the government’s broader $21.9 billion Education Budget, which includes funding for 15 new schools in fast‑growing communities. A component of the rollout, the Behaviour Boost program, initially $45 million, has now been made permanent, offering schools grants of up to $2,000 to support staff professional development in behaviour management. 

While the initiative aims to meet demand and improve outcomes for students with high support needs, stakeholders caution that simply building more special schools does not relieve the broader imperative of inclusive education in mainstream settings. In fact, advocacy groups have raised concerns the expansion of special schools may counter broader reforms aimed at inclusive participation. 

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals and service leaders, the announcement offers several implications:

• Future pathways – Purpose‑built special school facilities represent additional schooling options for children with higher support needs, which may influence transition planning for children in early learning settings.
• Collaboration – With these schools expected to open from 2027, services should proactively engage with families and preparatory supports to ensure smooth transitions.
• Advocacy and planning – ECEC services may need to work closely with both families and schools to navigate how individual children will access new specialist settings, and what role early learning plays in the pathway.
• Quality and access – The expansion emphasises the importance of aligning early years services with the National Quality Framework (NQF), especially in relation to inclusive practice, collaboration with families and community engagement under Quality Area 6, and children’s health and safety under Quality Area 2.

As Queensland’s largest special school build progresses, the government says it is delivering on its election commitment and responding to growing demand. The phased completion model provides a timeline for sectors to prepare, including early years services that support children who may transition into these new specialist environments.

Access the full media statement here.