Today the Albanese Labor Government has launched Australia's first National Autism Strategy and an associated Action Plan dedicated to improving inclusion, support and life outcomes for all Autistic Australians.
Our Government wants to ensure Autistic people in Australia are understood, empowered and supported and there are spaces and places that work for them.
The Strategy and Action Plan will for the first time at the Commonwealth level, drive a coordinated national approach to breaking down barriers to inclusion and improving the evidence, understanding and acceptance around autism. It will also help to ensure Autistic people across Australia have access to equal opportunities and the support they need to thrive.
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.
We heard repeatedly in the development of the Strategy that Autistic people often 'mask' who they are while living in a neurotypical world.
The Strategy and Action Plan focuses on four key outcome areas that will help guide strategies and solutions to help overcome the unique barriers and challenges Autistic people face. These include:
- Social inclusion;
- Economic inclusion;
- Diagnosis, services and supports; and
- Health and mental health.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the new Strategy reflects the Government's vision for a more inclusive Australia where all people with disability are supported to participate in all spheres of life.
"Our Albanese Labor Government is committed to improving the lives of the almost 300,000 Autistic people living in Australia and it's why we have delivered the first National Autism Strategy," Minister Rishworth said.
"Addressing the barriers Autistic people face in areas like education, employment and diagnosis is long overdue and we are proud to deliver a Strategy that will change lives for the better.
"This is not a strategy that has been done in isolation. It has been built in consultation and collaboration with Autistic people living in Australia.
"Working with Autistic people will remain key as we work to implement the goals of the strategy and the associated Action Plan - ensuring we meet the diverse needs of Autistic people in Australia."
The health and mental health component will be delivered through the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People.
The First Action Plan is backed by $42.3 million in funding and outlines the practical steps the Albanese Labor Government will take to achieve the vision and outcomes of the Strategy over the next two years, 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. Something that more formal systems might not be able to offer;
- 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.
The National Autism Strategy, its First Action Plan and supporting materials including accessible versions are available on the Department of Social Services website.
