"Approvals were granted to 99.6% of applicants in government schools, 99.8% in independent/private schools, and 99.9% in Catholic schools."
Surge in Special Exam Arrangements
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) received over 13,000 applications for special examination arrangements in 2025, a 19% increase from the previous year, among approximately 50,000 VCE students.
The Breakdown by School Type
Approval rates remained exceptionally high across all sectors:
- Government schools: 99.6% of applicants approved
- Independent/private schools: 99.8% approved
- Catholic schools: 99.9% approved
The Rising Role of Mental Health
Mental health reasons constituted 43.9% of applications in 2025, up from 40.8% in 2021. Health impairment accounted for 22.3%, and specific learning disability for 13.4%.
Applications for mental health exemptions in government schools nearly tripled from 1,347 in 2021 to 3,322 in 2025. Meanwhile, independent/private schools—which educate about 21% of secondary students—accounted for 37% of all mental health applications, rising from 1,205 to 2,995.
Observers Weigh In
Russell Jackson, an exam supervisor, noted an increase in students granted provisions for mental health needs but observed that many did not actually use the provisions (e.g., rest breaks, extra time). He cited parent pressure to obtain exemptions as a performance advantage.
RMIT lecturer Mariko Francis stated the increase does not indicate over-approval. She attributed the trend to disability inclusion reforms and increased visibility of mental health needs since COVID-19, and called for consistent and transparent decision-making.
Streamlined Process Cited
The VCAA attributed growth since 2023 to a streamlined application process relying on school judgment and prior provisions. This procedural shift, rather than a change in student needs alone, appears to have driven the sharp increase in successful applications.