The Australian Government is pleased to announce the appointment of 8 community representatives to the National Autism Strategy Reference Group.
The Reference Group will ensure the experiences and expertise of the Autistic and autism community continue to shape the National Autism Strategy 2025-2031 and its implementation.
The Reference Group will advise government on ongoing and future work under the Strategy and the First Action Plan 2025-26, including evaluating the Strategy’s progress to date.
It will also focus on how the government can work alongside the broader community to improve understanding and acceptance around autism to help break down enduring barriers to inclusion for Autistic Australians.
Guided by the Strategy’s commitment to co-design, the group includes 6 representatives from the autistic community, 2 representatives from the research and professional sector, and 6 officials from relevant Commonwealth agencies.
The group will be co-chaired by a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing representative and Mr Christopher Varney, a passionate lived-experience advocate recognised for his enduring service to the Autistic community.
The newly appointed Reference Group members are:
- Mr Christopher Varney (Co-Chair)
- Mx Ebe Ganon (Community representative)
- Ms Ashley Liang (Community representative)
- Ms Clarisse Pilbeam (Community representative)
- Ms Geraldine Roberston (Community representative)
- Mrs Teesha Scott (Community representative)
- Dr Bianca Calabria (Research/professional sector representative)
- Ms Tammy Freeman (Research/professional sector representative)
Appointments were made in consultation with peak bodies from across the disability and autism communities following a national Expression of Interest process.
The Reference Group will hold its first meeting on 23 February 2026.
For more information on the National Autism Strategy and the First Action Plan, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Quotes attributable to NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister:
“The National Autism Strategy is paving the way towards a more inclusive, fairer future for the more than 290,000 Autistic people living in Australia.
“These appointments show the government’s commitment to ensuring that all aspects of our work under the Strategy are guided by diverse perspectives and those with lived experience.
“Implementing the Strategy is a continuous process of listening, learning and working closely with the communities we serve to deliver real, lasting change.
“I look forward to working alongside the Reference Group as we continue to deliver reforms under the Strategy, and I would like to congratulate each of our members on their appointments.”