Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth launched Australia’s first National Autism Strategy and Action Plan. Photo: ALP.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth has launched the Federal Government’s first National Autism Strategy and Action Plan.
The strategy is designed to promote understanding, empowerment and support for people with autism, and ensure there are spaces and places that work for them.
It says the strategy and accompanying action plan is the first time the Commonwealth will drive a coordinated national approach to breaking down barriers to inclusion, and improving the evidence, understanding and acceptance around autism.
The strategy introduction says there is no one universally accepted definition of autism that captures everyone’s experience.
“Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference,” it says. “Autistic people share common traits that present differently in each autistic person. As with all people, every autistic person is unique, and has their own individual diversity, capacity, experiences and aspirations.”
It says it recognises attitudes, practices and structures in a neurotypical world can create barriers that impact on people with autism being able to participate fully and equally in the community.
Their experiences of daily life are dynamic based on the systemic, environmental, and interpersonal barriers that each individual experiences at the time.
The strategy was developed through what the government has described as a comprehensive co-design process led by the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and its working groups and was overseen by Minister Rishworth. It says it drew upon the lived experience and insights of people with autism and their families, carers, advocates, researchers and other stakeholders across Australia.
It says that, from September to November 2023, it engaged with people with autism and the autism community, and more than 2000 people attended events or sent written feedback about what the strategy should focus on.
A first draft of the strategy was published in April 2024, and more than 1300 people provided community feedback on the draft. The feedback was considered by the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and rolled into the final draft strategy and the draft of the first action plan.
The strategy and plan focuses on four key outcome areas that will help guide strategies and solutions to help overcome the unique barriers and challenges people with autism face, including social inclusion, economic inclusion, diagnosis, services and supports, and health and mental health.
Minister Rishworth said the strategy reflected the government’s vision for a more inclusive Australia where all people with disability were 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,” she 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,” she added.
“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 action plan is supported by $42.3 million in funding, and outlines the practical steps the government will take to achieve the vision and outcomes of the strategy over the next two years.
That funding includes $19.9 million over four years for a peer support program to provide lived-experience knowledge, empathy and culturally tailored advice for people with autism; $915,000 over two years for initiatives to enhance community understanding, awareness and acceptance of autism; and $445,000 for resources to support people with autism and their families with pre- and post-diagnosis information.
Other spending includes $915,000 over two years to improve employment opportunities and support; $12.2 million over five years for a dedicated knowledge translation body to ensure academic research into neurodiversity informs and improves policies and services; $3.7 million over two years to work with the autism community to evaluate existing programs aiming to improve their lives; and $2.8 million over four years for an epidemiological study to identify the true prevalence of autism in Australia.
The strategy and action plans aim to achieve greater inclusion through systemic, societal and attitudinal change; wider acceptance through a better understanding of autism across the community; recognition of autistic strengths and ensuring autistic people have a strong voice; recognition of individual diversity and capacity; and better quality of life and improved living standards.
