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Expression of Interest to join the external provider program
The Department for Education (department) is establishing a new panel of service providers for the external provider program (EPP), supporting students and young people in South Australian schools and preschools.
We invite psychology and speech pathology providers from across metropolitan and regional areas to consider applying to join the program. We are particularly keen to hear from providers in regional areas who are interested in partnering with the department to support the program.
The full details of the Expression of Interest are available on the SA Tenders and Contracts website. To take advantage of this opportunity you will need to register your business and submit your application via the SA Tenders and Contracts website.
This will be the only opportunity to apply to join the EPP before 1 July 2026.
Information about future opportunities to join the program will be provided once this tender process has been completed.
What is the external provider program
Student Support Services (SSS) teams based in Local Education Offices across the state work in partnership with schools, preschools, and families. The SSS provides services that support the additional needs of students in public schools and preschools.
The purpose of the external provider program is to create a pathway for psychology and speech pathology case escalation when SSS teams cannot meet periods of high service demand.
The external provider program team triages and allocates suitable cases to external providers based on the provider’s capacity. This happens once per school term to prepare for assessments in the next school term.
Observations of children and young people are conducted face to face at the school or preschool site the student attends. Observations via telepractice are not currently possible.
To find out more about the SSS, including our locations across the state, see Student Support Services.
Role of psychologists
EPP psychologists provide psychological assessments for children and young people in public schools and preschools to identify barriers that are impacting their learning and participation.
The types of barriers being experienced might include:
- cognitive differences
- developmental delays
- giftedness
- learning disorders and delays
- social, emotional, or behavioural changes.
EPP psychologists may be engaged to support Education Pathways (previously Special Options) processes.
Role of speech pathologists
EPP speech pathologists provide speech pathology assessments of children and young people in public schools and preschools to identify barriers that are impacting their learning and participation.
The types of barriers being experienced might include:
- limited functional communication
- severe and complex speech sound disorders
- language disorders causing significant functional impact.
