National Autism Strategy and First Action Plan – Summary

How the Strategy was developed: The National Autism Strategy (the Strategy) was created through a collaborative process led by the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council, with oversight by the Minister for Social Services.

The process was supported by working groups with members with lived experience providing insights from Autistic people, their families, carers, advocates, researchers and other stakeholder groups.

Step 1: From September to November 2023, more than 2,000 Autistic people and their communities attended events and provided written feedback about what a national autism strategy should focus on.

Step 2: The feedback gathered in Step 1 helped create the first draft of the Strategy, which was published in April 2024. Autistic people and their communities were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft. More than 1,300 people provided feedback.

Step 3: The Strategy and First Action Plan were finalised for consideration by the Government.

What should a National Autism Strategy achieve? The Autistic and autism community want to see an ambitious national strategy for Australia.

A Strategy that sees Autistic people have the same level of access as other people in the community and that ‘levels the playing field for Autistic people and their families.’

Five themes emerged about what the National Autism Strategy should achieve:

Inclusion: broad societal change, including attitudes and institutional change

Acceptance: a better understanding of autism within the community

Recognising Autistic strengths and ensuring Autistic people have a voice, including those that are non-speaking or minimally speaking:

• understanding the broad experiences and strengths of Autistic people Recognition of individual diversity and capacity:
• every Autistic person has their own experiences and needs and should be equal in all areas of life
• Better quality of life and improved living standards: supporting improved access to health and mental health services and
• equal opportunities to participate including access to housing, justice services, and education and employment.

Statement on language: Language is an important part of identity, and every Autistic person is an individual with unique qualities and support needs.

The Strategy understands that the Autistic and autism community includes people with different viewpoints and identities and may use different words to talk about autism.

Some people in the autism community prefer identity first language ‘Autistic person” while some prefer “person with autism’, which is person first language.

Some Autistic people also identify as having a disability while others do not.

The Strategy respects the right of all individuals to choose the language that represents how they identify, with feedback received through the national consultation process deciding on an identity-first language in the strategy.

The National Autism Strategy supports all Autistic people regardless of whether they are diagnosed, how they identify or their specific diagnosis.

The strategy will not use terms such as ‘high functioning’, ‘low functioning’, ‘profound, ‘severe’ and ‘mild’ autism even though some

Autistic people, and their families may use these terms. Instead, the Strategy will use the term ‘all’ Autistic people, recognising that every Autistic person has different strengths and faces different challenges and barriers, and other terms may misrepresent capabilities of Autistic people.

Statement on Autism: There is not one universally accepted definition of autism that captures everyone’s experience.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference.

As with everyone, every Autistic person is unique and has their own challenges, experiences and capacity.

The strategy recognises attitudes, practices and structures in a neurotypical world create barriers and impact how Autistic people participate fully and equally in the community.

Some Autistic people can live independent lives, or with some adjustments to their environments or routines.

Others need different levels of support with day-to-day activities. Some Autistic people may have low support needs most of the time but have high needs in certain situations or times and some need high levels of ongoing support with everyday activities and decision making.

Attitudes in society can mean some Autistic people hide Autistic traits which can take a lot of effort and impact mental health or sense of self.

Autistic people, particularly nonspeaking or minimally speaking, process information and may communicate in different ways.

Some Autistic people may use Augmentative or Alternative Communication with assistance technology.

Others may use gestures, interpreters or manual signs.

Autistic people may use different communication methods at different times. The Strategy recognises that supports need to be individualised and may change in different situations and environments.

The strategy also recognises that Autistic people should have choice over their communication methods that suit their needs.

Intersectionality: Intersectionality is understanding that people experience the world through their individual circumstances and characteristics.

Experiences differ based on factors such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, economic status, where you live and body shape/size.

This can lead to people experiencing differing levels of outcomes and discrimination.

This Strategy takes an intersectional approach and seeks to remove structural barriers and hidden biases that negatively impact the life experiences of individual Autistic people who may face multiple forms of disadvantage or discrimination.

Priority Cohorts: All Autistic people face a range of barriers to full participation in the community including accessing education, healthcare, employment, justice, exercising their rights and participating in public life.

This strategy acknowledges that certain groups of Autistic people can face additional or multiple barriers to participation.

The National Autism Strategy Oversight Council identified the following priority cohorts:

• First Nations peoples Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) people
• Women, girls and gender diverse people LGBTQIA+
• Older people Children and young people People with very high support needs
• What is the strategy? The strategy is a framework for improving the lives of all Autistic people.
• It includes a vision, goal and guiding principles.
• It is focused on driving action across four key outcome areas: Social inclusion
• Economic inclusion Diagnosis, services and supports, and Health and mental health 

Each outcome area covers many issues and includes commitments for three of the four key outcome areas:

1. social inclusion;
2. economic inclusion; and diagnosis,
3. services and supports.

The area of health and mental health is being led by the Department of Health and Aged care through a connected process called the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People (Autism Health Roadmap).

Vision Statement: The National Autism Strategy’s vision is for a safe and inclusive society where all Autistic people are supported and empowered to thrive in all aspects of life, in line with international human rights.

Goal: The goal of the Strategy is to improve the quality of life for all Autistic people in a way that is meaningful to them.

Guiding Principles: The Guiding principles set out how the Strategy foundations will be put into practice

In Partnership - Nothing about us, without us The Strategy will be co-led and designed with Autistic people, their families and support networks.

Representatives will reflect the diversity of Autistic people and will prioritise the priority groups identified in the strategy

Accessible based on Universal Design: The strategy will be accessible and based on Universal Design principles

Self-determination and Autonomy Foster the freedom and ability for Autistic people to make their own decisions about all aspects of their lives.

Aligned and Accountable Outcomes: The strategy will include measurable, trauma informed, evidence-based outcomes and will use the three pillars of ‘evidence-based practice’: research, clinical experience and lived experience involvement.

Acceptance and inclusivity: The strategy recognises that every Autistic person has unique strengths, abilities and qualities.

It will promote community understanding and acceptance of all Autistic people.

The Action plan will take practical steps to educate the community about autism and seek to achieve genuine inclusion and equity.

Safety and Rights: The strategy will uphold the rights of all Autistic people and aim to reduce all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination and vilification towards Autistic people. This includes culturally safe and trauma informed approaches.

Neurodiversity-Affirming and Individualised and Holistic:

• The strategy promotes a neurodiversity affirming, individualised and community centric approach.
• It recognises that people are complex and have experiences and traits that shape their needs and experiences.

Outcomes and Commitments:

1. .Social inclusion,
2. Economic inclusion,
3. Diagnosis, services and supports, and
4. Health and mental health - the Autism Health Roadmap, being led through a separate but connected process by the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Strategy’s outcome areas include 22 commitments.

All commitments have been developed through the Strategy’s comprehensive co-design and consultation process with Autistic people, their families and carers, advocates, researchers and other stakeholders and informed by the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and Working Groups.

Social Inclusion: Social inclusion is making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in our society.

It’s about allowing equal opportunity for people to learn, work, connect and collaborate with others, including people who are non-speaking or minimally speaking.

This requires more than just physical accessibility and involves educating people and designing systems to ensure equal participation for Autistic people.

Why is it important? Without social inclusion, people are more likely to experience poor mental health, isolation, abuse and discrimination.

Feeling connected is an important part of an individual’s health, safety and wellbeing.

How it applies to Autistic people? Autistic people and their support networks experience higher rates of social isolation, discrimination and abuse.

Contributing factors include a lack of community understanding of autism which can lead to unaccommodating environments, poor employment rates and lack of opportunity to participate in the community.

Commitments for Social Inclusion: 1. Increase understanding, acceptance and appreciation of, and change attitudes towards, all Autistic people across all of society, through: 

a. Greater public education including building a better understanding of the diversity of autism within workplaces and service systems, with a focus on health, education and the federal justice system. 

b. Increasing representation of the diversity of Autistic people in the Australian Public Service, media, sports and the arts.

c. Increasing accessible and sensory-friendly public, broadcast and online spaces.

d. Increasing the capacity and capability of advocates and advocacy organisations to challenge and reduce stigma of autism and education of Autistic people and their families and carers about their rights.

1. Increase opportunities for social connections and peer support that reflect individual preferences.
2. Improve Australian Government service delivery, communication, and information to meet the needs of all Autistic people.
3. Ensure consideration of the needs of all Autistic people in the upcoming review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and next statutory reviews of the associated disability standards.
4. Improve the safety and welfare of all Autistic people through the reduction of all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, bullying and vilification across all four Strategy outcome areas.

Economic Inclusion: An inclusive economy means all parts of society, especially poor and socially disadvantaged groups have full and fair access to opportunities as employees, leaders, consumers, entrepreneurs and community members.

Employment and financial security are central to improving outcomes for Autistic people including in the workforce and having enough income to meet their needs.

Why is it important? Everyone should have access to safe, secure and equitable education and employment.

Stable income and employment can contribute to a person’s wellbeing and financial security, while schools and workplaces can benefit from having a diversity of people within them.

How it applies to Autistic people? Education outcomes for Autistic people are poorer than the general population.

Many people have reported experiences of bullying in schools and that a school environment may have multiple challenges for Autistic students. Stakeholders have reported poor employment outcomes for Autistic people in Australia and identify underemployment as a large issue.

Many Autistic people work below their capacity which may result in a higher reliance on families and other support networks.

Commitments for Economic Inclusion 6. Increase meaningful employment opportunities (including business ownership, -self-employment, and entrepreneurship and social enterprises) for Autistic people.

1. Support employers to hire and retain Autistic employees through improving the accessibility of recruitment processes and workplace environments that are safe and inclusive for all Autistic people.
2. Improve the supports and services available to Autistic people to ensure they have choice and control over their education and careers.
3. Increase the diverse representation of Autistic people in management, senior executive and board positions promoting Autistic people as visible role models.
4. Improve inclusive practices, accommodations, awareness of communication needs and the quality and accessibility of advocacy resources for Autistic students, and their families, carers and support networks.

Diagnosis, Services and Supports Autism is diagnosed by health professionals who review an individual’s characteristics such as social communication, behaviours and focused interest. Some Autistic people do not have a formal diagnosis and self-identify.

Autistic people and their support networks can experience difficulties at all stages of the diagnosis process, particularly in regard to the time to receive a diagnosis and cost.

Why is it important? Accessing neurodiversity-affirming monitoring, screening and timely assessment and diagnosis means an individual will have better access to supports and services and improve long term outcomes.

How it applies to Autistic people? The average diagnosis in children in Australia is about 3-4 years of age with the most frequent age being 5.9 years.

Early diagnosis can lead to better education, social and economic outcomes for Autistic people.

Diagnosis is likely to occur later for girls, women and gender diverse people as well as those with less overt presentations and those living in regional, rural and remote areas.

The strategy acknowledges that there are high levels of unmet demand and service gaps, and that cost of services is a concern for many.

Commitments for Diagnosis, Services and Supports:

1. Consider the use, accuracy, feasibility and acceptability of current identification screening and diagnostic tools. Work with relevant professional bodies to develop a set of standardised co-designed training/professional development and resource materials to support professionals involved in the identification and diagnosis of autism to improve the experience, and quality of this process for Autistic people (including intersectional cohorts) and their families and carers.
2. Develop best practice resources to support Autistic people and their families, carers and support networks through the identification, assessment and diagnosis process.
3. Explore ways to make autism diagnosis and assessment processes more affordable.
4. Consider early screening and developmental monitoring to promote early identification and diagnosis of autism and improved access to health and other professionals. Commitments for Services and Supports: 15. Improve access to quality, timely, neurodiversity-affirming and equitable supports and services for Autistic people, including for people living in rural, regional and remote areas.
5. Encourage greater representation of people with lived experience in delivering supports and services to Autistic people.
6. Develop a set of best practice training and resource materials for people providing supports and services to Autistic people.
7. Assess the availability and suitability of current decision-making tools aimed at empowering Autistic people to make informed decisions about all areas of their life and consider ways to improve access to high quality decision-making tools.
8. Work with states and territories to improve the experience of Autistic people accessing supports through the

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability supports outside the NDIS and mainstream services.

Health and Mental Health: Outcomes and actions to improve the health and mental health of Autistic people are being developed through the

Autism Health Roadmap led by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The draft of the Autism Health Roadmap is focused on six key areas:

1. improving support for Autistic people, their families and carers, in health and mental health services,
2. improving the quality, safety and availability of autism-affirming health and mental health care across the lifespan,
3. building better connections between health, mental health, and other service sectors, including the NDIS,
4. improving autism education and training for health and disability professionals,
5. strengthening research and data on health and mental health of Autistic people and their families and carers, and
6. arrangements for oversight, monitoring, and implementation of the Autism Health Roadmap.

Implementation (Governance, Research and Evidence, Evaluation and Reporting):

• To support the achievement of the commitments set out in the Strategy, action plans will provide information on
• how the government plans to effect change. The First Action Plan will cover the 2025-2026 period.
• The development of future actions will be through co-design with the Autistic and autism community and informed by the work and findings of the First Action Plan.

Commitment for Governance 20. Develop a governance framework to support:

1. strong accountability mechanisms,
2. continuing co-leadership through a representative advisory group to oversee implementation of the Strategy and First Action Plan and development of subsequent Action Plans, and active involvement of a diverse range of Autistic people, as well as families and carers, and professionals within the autism sector, and  
3. whole-of-government, cross-sectoral and coordinated approaches to implementation.

Commitment on Research 

1. Ensure Government funded autism research conducted in Australia is underpinned by the Strategy’s Guiding Principles and is used to inform policy and service delivery with a focus on priority cohorts.

Commitment on Evidence, Evaluation and Reporting 

1. Develop a National Autism Strategy Evidence, Evaluation and Reporting Framework (including Outcomes and Process Frameworks), using Theory of Change and Program Logic models.

Including a Participatory Evidence Framework involving Autistic people and their families and carers in the design, methods, and modes of analysis, and transparent reporting mechanisms, co-produced with the Autistic and autism community.

The First Action Plan: The First Action Plan covers the period 2025 to 2026.

The First Action Plan outlines the practical steps the government is taking regarding the 22 commitments outlined above.

Immediate Actions The Government is committed to see immediate improvements in the lives of Autistic people.

The Action Plan contains several service-delivery/project focused actions to deliver on this commitment.

Improving Social Connections A common theme raised by Autistic people was about creating more social connections and peer support networks, many participants said coming together with other Autistic people in safe spaces can be empowering and helpful.

Action: The Australian government will invest $19.9 million over 4 years to deliver a peer support program that provides age appropriate and culturally sensitive support created to suit the needs of the Autistic and autism community.

Reducing stigma and changing attitudes around autism

A consistent theme across public engagement on the development of the Strategy highlighted the lack of understanding and awareness around autism.

Many people said that autism is often an ‘invisible’ disability and there needs to be more understanding of how autism presents in different people.

Action: The Australian Government will invest $915,000 over 2 years to develop new awareness and public educational initiatives to foster understanding, inclusion and respect for the Autistic and autism community.

Supporting the diagnosis of autism journey Many people shared that the diagnosis process can be complex and overwhelming.

Understanding what it may include, how the process works and what a diagnosis may mean for an individual were all raised as significant challenges.

Action: the Australian Government will invest up to $455,000 in 2025-26 to deliver resources designed to support Autistic people and their families with pre and post diagnosis information.

This action will follow an extensive evaluation of existing information and resources to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. Improving employment A consistent theme raised in the Strategy was about challenges for Autistic adults to get and maintain meaningful employment.

Many people commented that Autistic people are underemployed or aren’t employed in jobs that utilise their full potential.

Action: the Australian Government will invest up to $915,000 over 2 years to improve employment opportunities and support for Autistic people in the workplace.

Knowledge Translation The Autistic community have reflected the importance of ensuring that policies, services and practices should be neuro-affirming and informed by contemporary evidence of what works.

Action: The Australian Government will invest up to $12.2 million over 5 years to establish a dedicated knowledge translation body to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world practices.

This initiative will focus on translating credible autism-related research into practical, evidence-based tools and guidance for service providers, and policy makers.

Progressing the long-term vision of the strategy with the Autistic and autism community

A guiding principle of the National Autism Strategy is ‘In partnership - Nothing about us, without us’.

As part of laying the groundwork for improvements in social and economic inclusion, diagnosis, services and supports and representation of Autistic people, a number of reviews and evaluations will be undertaken to scope what works, where there are gaps and best practice to inform change.

Action: The Australian Government will invest up to $3.7 million over 2 years to progress these reviews and evaluations in ways that directly involve the Autistic and autism community and autism sector.

Laying the foundations for future longer-term reform

The Autistic community identified future actions that it wanted the Government to implement as part of the delivery of the Strategy, for which the Government first needs to build a solid understanding of what exists, gaps, and where there is best practice to ensure future investment in actions are effective and impactful.

Improving services and supports so they are neuro-affirming, inclusive and appropriate for the Autistic community

Action: The Government will work to identify how to improve Australian Government, and Australian Government-funded services, communication, and information in ways that are neuro-affirming, inclusive and appropriate for the Autistic community.

Improving the safety and welfare of Autistic people

Action: The Government will evaluate, identify and scope effective frameworks, pathways and information resources to improve the safety and welfare of Autistic people.

Epidemiological Study

Action: The Australian Government will invest up to $2.8 million over 4 years to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological study of autism in Australia to identify the true prevalence of autism in Australia.

Evidence and Evaluation Framework Action: The Australian Government will invest up to $858,000 over 2 years to develop and implement an evidence and evaluation framework to lay the foundations for the Strategy based on reliable and up-to-date information about what works for Autistic people.

Governance framework Action: The Australian Government will invest up to $366,000 over 7 years to establish a governance framework that ensures the

Autistic and autism community have sustained involvement in the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy, this Action Plan and future actions.