Request an IEP Review in Perth Schools - WA Guide

Education Western Australia 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia families can request a review of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) when a students educational needs change or when current supports are not effective. This guide explains typical school-based review pathways in WA public schools, who to contact at the school and district level, what evidence helps, and how to escalate if you cannot resolve the issue locally. Use the steps below to prepare a clear request, document meetings, and understand review and appeal options under WA public education procedures.

Understanding IEP reviews

An IEP review is usually initiated by the students parent or guardian, the classroom teacher, or the school leadership team. Reviews commonly reassess learning goals, adjustments, allied health input and resourcing. In WA public schools the principal and the regional director have operational responsibility for implementing and recording IEP outcomes; schools also follow guidance on support for students with disability within the WA Department of Education framework.

Bring clear, dated evidence of changes in learning or behaviour to any review meeting.

Penalties & Enforcement

Monetary fines related to IEPs or individual student support are not part of standard education practice; any monetary penalties for administrative breaches are not specified on the cited page. [2]

Escalation and sanctions for failure to provide supports are typically non-monetary and may include:

  • Orders or directions from the Director General or regional education office to the school to implement required adjustments.
  • Court or tribunal action where discrimination or unlawful denial of reasonable adjustment is alleged.
  • Formal review notes and mandated follow-up meetings recorded on the students file.

The primary enforcers for public-school practice are the school principal and regional Department of Education officers; unresolved administrative complaints can be taken to the WA Ombudsman or other statutory review agencies. Appeal time limits and precise remedies are not specified on the cited page. [2]

Applications & Forms

There is no single universal IEP form mandated across all WA schools; many schools use locally adapted templates and the Department provides guidance and resources for planning and recording adjustments on its support pages. For official templates, guidance and any published forms consult the WA Department of Education support pages. [1]

Check with your school office for the local IEP template and meeting notes form before the review meeting.

How to request a review

Follow these practical steps to make a clear, trackable IEP review request and to preserve options for escalation if needed.

  1. Contact the classroom teacher or school office to request a meeting and confirm who will attend (teacher, special educator, principal).
  2. Prepare written evidence: recent assessments, teacher observations, allied health reports and examples of the students work.
  3. Propose preferred meeting dates and request an agenda that lists decisions to be considered (goals, adjustments, resourcing).
  4. Attend the review meeting, take minutes, and seek clear statements of agreed actions, timelines and responsible staff.
  5. If resources or funding are discussed, record whether applications or referrals will be made and any expected timeframes.
  6. If you cannot reach agreement, request written reasons and follow your schools escalation process; consider lodging a formal complaint if required.
Ask for written minutes at the end of the meeting so actions and deadlines are clear.

FAQ

Who can request an IEP review?
Parents, carers, teachers or school leaders can request a review; students may also request reviews where appropriate.
How long will a review take?
Timelines vary by school; ask the school for proposed dates and a completion timeframe during your initial contact.
Can I appeal a school decision?
If local escalation does not resolve the matter you can use the Departments complaints process and external review options such as the WA Ombudsman for administrative decisions.

How-To

  1. Phone or email the school principal to request an IEP review meeting and list your concerns.
  2. Gather supporting documents and a short summary of desired outcomes.
  3. Agree a meeting date, attendees and agenda with the school.
  4. Attend the meeting, request minutes, and confirm actions and review dates in writing.
  5. If unresolved, follow the schools formal complaints process and consider external review options.
Keep copies of all emails and documents; they are important if you escalate the matter.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the school: most IEPs are reviewed successfully at school level.
  • Bring clear, dated evidence and request written minutes of meetings.
  • Use the Departments complaints and external review channels only after local escalation.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Department of Education Western Australia  Support for students with disability
  2. [2] Western Australian Ombudsman  Making a complaint

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