National Autism Strategy
The Australian Autism Alliance welcomes the history-making release of Australia’s first National Autism Strategy 2025 – 2031 (the Strategy) and First Action Plan 2025-26.
With 1 in 4 having an Autistic family member, the need to shift the dial is long overdue to improve the life outcomes of an estimated autistic population of at least 650,0000 Australians.
While it will be disappointing it does not cover all the issues of concerns raised, we have in front of us a National Autism Strategy and action plan that is desperately needed and lays the foundation for current and future generations to continue to improve and address gaps.
The strategy has 22 commitments, with the first-year actions including further review and evaluation to ensure the strategy addresses the right problem to solve.
Central to success of this Strategy is that the Government has committed to establishing co-governance with the Autistic and autism communities over the life of the Strategy with the majority of the Reference group from the community. Future actions will be co-designed with Autistic people and their families and carers, researchers, policymakers, and the broader Autistic and autism community. These stakeholders will also be involved in implementation, monitoring, and reporting on the Strategy.
It is commendable that this was a pre-election commitment made to us in 2022 by the Australian Government, and here we are within 3 years, and we have a Strategy, Plan and commitment made by the Hon Minister Rishworth of $42 million to kick off the Strategy and not be waiting with baited breath for the Federal Budget outcome.
The Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with the Australian Government and the Autistic and autism community so that the intent of the National Autism strategy is realised.
Most importantly, we are deeply grateful and thank all those Autistic people, their families, carers, support networks, representative organisations and all other supporters for their courage and tenacity in advocating for many years so we can realise this momentous occasion of the first release of the National Autism Strategy.
Please refer to our media release below regarding the highlights and what call to action is still needed to ensure the Strategy’s success, particularly with the current changing and challenging disability landscape, including NDIS.
View Media Release