The Federal government has just launched Australia’s first National Autism Strategy and an associated Action Plan. Together, the documents aim to improve inclusion, support and life outcomes for Australians on the spectrum.
The government says the plan will coordinate a national approach to breaking down the barriers that prevent autistic people from being included, ensuring equal access to opportunities to thrive. The Strategy also aims to improve evidence, understanding and acceptance around autism.
The Strategy was developed with the guidance of the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and involved extensive consultation with autistic people, their families and carers, and the broader autism and disability sectors, researchers and experts.
What does the strategy include?
There are four key outcome areas in the Strategy and Action Plan. These are:
- Social inclusion;
- Economic inclusion;
- Diagnosis, services and supports; and
- Health and mental health.
The health and mental health component will be delivered through the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People.
The government has provided $42.3 million in funding for the Action Plan, which includes practical steps the government plans to take, including:
- $19.9 million over four years for a peer support program to provide lived-experience knowledge, empathy and culturally tailored advice for Autistic people in groups they resonate with;
- Enhancing community understanding, awareness and acceptance of Autism through $915,000 over two years for new awareness and education initiatives;
- Improving the diagnosis process through $445,000 in 2025-26 for resources to support Autistic people and their families with pre- and post-diagnosis information;
- Boosting pathways to meaningful employment through $915,000 over two years to improve employment opportunities and support for Autistic people;
- $12.2 million over five years for a dedicated knowledge translation body, which will ensure academic research into neurodiversity informs and improves the policies and services impacting Autistic people’s lives day to day;
- $3.7 million over two years to work with Autistic people and the autism community to evaluate existing programs aiming to improve their lives, to identify what works, where there are gaps and opportunities for improvement;
- Identifying ways to improve Australian Government services, supports, information and the safety and welfare of Autistic people; and
- $2.8 million over four years for a comprehensive epidemiological study to identify the true prevalence of autism in Australia, which will underpin future policy development.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the government will continue to work with autistic people as it implements the Strategy and Action Plan.
What does the autism community think?
Autistic-led NGO Yellow Ladybugs said on LinkedIn that the Strategy’s focus on neurodiversity-affirming approaches and recognition of intersectionality is welcome.
But CEO Katie Koullas cautioned that the Strategy must “provide measurable outcomes without being diluted into broad disability initiatives and stay fully focused on the autistic experience”.
Autism Awareness Australia welcomed the Strategy, but CEO Nicole Rogerson said it must be backed up with immediate action to support children who are losing their NDIS funding.
“There needs to be a streamlined approach to address the funding gaps between the Commonwealth and state governments, because the current changes to the NDIS are having a real impact on Australian children,” she said.
“While the Strategy’s extensive list of commitments is a great start, until they are implemented these kids are missing out on the vital support they need. We need action now to fill the gaps.”
People with Disability Australia said the government’s commitments must be matched by fully funded long-term action plans that are both autistic-led and compliant with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“The autism community has been calling for stronger inclusion, improved diagnosis pathways and better access to services for years. The commitments in this strategy are promising, but they need to be backed by long-term action plans that are neurodiversity affirming and genuinely co-designed with Autistic people,” deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith said.
Read the National Autism Strategy, the First Action Plan and supporting materials on the Department of Social Services website.