If your young person is in their final year at George Bass School in Bass Hill, or at another school for specific purposes in the Bankstown area, you’re probably starting to think about life after school. For many families, the move from a structured school week to adult life is the biggest change since starting kindergarten.
The good news is that there are real options close to home, and you don’t have to have everything worked out by the last day of Term 4. This guide explains the main post-school pathways, how the NDIS can fund them, and what to look for in a day program near Bass Hill, Georges Hall, Yagoona and Bankstown.
Why planning now makes a difference
School gives young people routine, friendships and a reason to leave the house every day. When that stops suddenly, some school leavers lose confidence, skills and social connections over the long summer break. Families who start planning in Term 4 usually find the transition smoother because:
- there’s time to check the NDIS plan has the right funding before school finishes
- your young person can visit, and sometimes trial, a program while school supports are still in place
- popular days and transport runs can be arranged before the new year rush
- school staff who know your young person well can share what works for them
The main post-school options
Most young people leaving a special school move into one, or a mix, of these pathways. There’s no single right answer – it depends on their goals, interests and support needs.
1. A day program or school leavers program
A day program gives young adults a weekly routine of community outings, life skills, social activities and hobbies, in a small group with trained support workers. School leavers programs are day programs designed for 17 to 25 year olds, with more focus on independence and next steps.
2. School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
SLES is NDIS funding for young people leaving school who want to work towards a job. It focuses on work-readiness skills, work experience and building confidence, and is usually available for up to two years after school. Many young people combine SLES with a day program on other days of the week.
3. Further study or TAFE
Some school leavers go on to TAFE or community college courses, sometimes with a support worker to help them get there and settle in.
4. Community access and one-to-one support
For young people who don’t enjoy groups, one-to-one community access support can help them build a routine around their own interests – the gym, swimming, a club, volunteering or a part-time job.
How the NDIS funds life after school
Day programs are usually funded from the Core – Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation budget in an NDIS plan. SLES and other employment supports come from the Capacity Building – Finding and Keeping a Job budget. Transport to and from a program is charged in line with NDIS pricing rules.
Before school finishes, it’s worth checking what’s in the current plan and whether it still fits. If your young person’s plan was written around school, it may not have enough funding for five days a week of adult supports. A support coordinator or your local area coordinator (LAC) can help you ask for a plan change or prepare for a reassessment.
What to look for in a day program near Bass Hill
When you’re comparing programs around Bass Hill, Bankstown and Condell Park, these questions help you find the right fit:
- Support ratios: can they offer the ratio your young person needs – whether that’s a small group, 1:1 or 2:1 support?
- Transport: is there door-to-door pick-up in an accessible vehicle, and which suburbs does it cover?
- Hours and days: do the hours suit your family’s work and routines, including Saturdays?
- Activities: is there a good mix of community outings, life skills and things your young person already loves?
- Peers: will they be with other young people of a similar age?
- Trial days: can they visit or try a day before committing?
- Communication: how will staff keep you updated, and how do they support different communication styles?
Our Condell Park day program – just a few minutes from Bass Hill
Beyond Limits runs a day program centre in Condell Park for adults and school leavers from Bass Hill, Georges Hall, Yagoona, Bankstown, Chester Hill, Padstow, Revesby and nearby suburbs. The centre is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, and participants can come for full or part days on the days that suit them.
- 1:3, 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 support, matched to each person’s needs
- door-to-door transport in our accessible van
- outings to places like Bankstown Arts Centre, Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, Paul Keating Park and local pools and parks
- life skills such as cooking, shopping, budgeting and travel training
- social groups, fitness, art, music and gardening
- work-readiness and volunteering, with a pathway to our finding and keeping a job supports
For the privacy and safety of our participants, we don’t publish the centre’s address – visits are by appointment. You can read more on our Condell Park day program page, our day programs and school leavers program page, or our NDIS services in Bankstown page.
A simple timeline for Term 4
- October: talk with your young person about what they enjoy and what they’d like to do next. Ask the school about their transition planning.
- October–November: check the NDIS plan, contact your support coordinator or LAC, and shortlist two or three programs.
- November: book visits and, where possible, a trial day.
- December: sign a service agreement, confirm days and transport, and plan a gentle start date for the new year.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child start a day program before they finish Year 12?
We’re happy to meet families during the final year of school to plan the move, including a trial day where possible. Most young people start full attendance once school has finished.
Is there a day program near Bass Hill for school leavers?
Yes. Our Condell Park centre is a short drive from Bass Hill and Georges Hall, and our accessible van offers door-to-door transport from surrounding suburbs.
Can we use SLES and a day program at the same time?
Yes – many school leavers use SLES for work-readiness on some days and attend a day program on others, depending on what’s funded in their NDIS plan.
What if my young person needs high support?
We offer 1:1 and 2:1 support for people with high support needs, complex health needs or behaviours of concern. We’ll talk with you about the right ratio before starting.
Related reading
Ask about our day programs in Casula and Condell Park
Both centres are open Monday to Saturday, 8am–6pm, with 1:3, 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 support and door-to-door transport in our accessible van. Visits are by appointment. Call 1800 920 600 to book a time to look around or talk about a trial day.
Beyond Limits is an independent NDIS provider and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any school mentioned in this article. School details are general and may change – please contact the school directly for current information.