Referral Information for Professionals

Thank you for supporting families through the Language Development Centre (LDC) referral process. This page outlines the eligibility criteria and required documentation for referring a child to South East LDC for entry into Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, or Year 1.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for referral to an LDC, a child must:

1. Have a significant primary language disorder in one or more language areas
2. Demonstrate learning potential within the average range or above (confirmed by a standardised cognitive assessment)
3. Demonstrate sound adaptive behaviour skills, supported by descriptive evidence from home, early childhood, or educational settings

LDC placement is not appropriate for children whose language difficulties are primarily due to:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intellectual Disability

These children may be better supported through other programs within the Department of Education.

Referral Process

Referrals are accepted for Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, and Year 1 placement.

Please ensure all required assessments and forms are completed and submitted by the relevant deadline. For detailed information on referral requirements, please refer to the 2026 LDC Referral Guidelines Document.

Referral Deadlines – 2026 Intake

• Pre-Primary / Year 1: Friday 12 September 2025 (Week 8, Term 3)
• Kindergarten: Wednesday 24 September 2025 (Week 10, Term 3)

All referrals are reviewed by the SELDC Placement Committee, which includes the Principal, Deputy Principals, School Psychologist, and Speech Pathologists.

Families and referring professionals will be notified of outcomes by mid-Term 4.

Required Referral Documentation

Referral Guidelines

Before submitting a referral, please read the 2026 LDC Referral Guidelines Document

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