Eligibility Criteria
Currently to be eligible for placement at Giant Steps students need to be on the State Government’s
Severe Disability Register (sometimes referred to as the High Needs Register) to attract State Government funding.
To meet the criteria for access to the Severe Disability Register in Tasmania in 2011, students need to have a diagnosis of moderate to severe autism.
Nominations to the Severe Disability Register in Tasmania are usually made through the Education Department, during the student’s kindergarten year. There are circumstances where nominations to the register can be made after this time.  For further information please contact the Manager State Support Service on 62 123 534
Government funded placements are available at Giant Steps on a full or part time basis. Part time students may be dual enrolled with another educational facility.

Self Funded Placements
There are occasions when schools or parents have approached Giant Steps and requested a self funded placement.  Positions for self funded students are an option if there is an available placement. On occasions self-funded part time placements are requested to support or compliment a student’s enrolment in a local school environment.

Early Intervention
The criteria for enrolment in the Early Intervention Program at Giant Steps are
a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder and
the provision of Helping Children With Autism Funding
Students who are accessing the Early Intervention Program and who are on the Severe Disability Register will be given first priority for placements in the following academic year. This would be subject to the number of placements Giant Steps has available.

Waiting List
Giant Steps keeps an updated waiting list of students and as soon as a position is available, parents are contacted and informed of the availability of a placement.  As we have a number of exiting students at the end of each year,  placements are usually more readily available at the beginning of each year however occasionally placements arise throughout the year from family relocations and student transitions to mainstream settings.

Families Seeking to Relocate
Families who may be considering a placement for their son or daughter at Giant Steps, and who are relocating to Tasmania from the mainland are advised to contact us well in advance.  This preparation can avoid being placed on a waiting list.