National Autism Strategy

Community engagement on the National Autism Strategy has begun. To attend an event or make a submission, visit our DSS Engage website

How do I have my say on the National Autism Strategy?
What is the National Autism Strategy?
How the National Autism Strategy will be developed?
Why the National Autism Strategy is important
Statement on Language

How do I have my say on the National Autism Strategy?

Community engagement to develop the National Autism Strategy is now open. You can have your say in lots of different ways:

Provide a submission or answer the online guided questions
Share your experiences through an online ideas wall
Register to participate in community events happening in 15 locations around Australia
Register to attend an online workshop or webinar.

Visit our DSS Engage website for information.

What is the National Autism Strategy?

In 2022, the Australian Government announced the development of a National Autism Strategy.

The Strategy will be for all Autistic Australians. It will cover key reform areas including access to services, healthcare, education, and employment. It will help to guide a more coordinated, national approach supporting autistic people at each stage of life.

The Strategy will be informed by:

Autistic people,
their families and carers,
the autism sector, and,
Researchers.

How will the National Autism Strategy be developed?

An Oversight Council will guide the development of the Strategy.

The Council includes eight (8) Autistic community and sector members (including an Autistic co-chair), two (2) research and professional sector members, and six (6) Australian Government members (including a co-chair).

It is important that we listen carefully to Autistic people about what is happening and what they want and need from a national strategy.

Autistic people, their families, and carers will be invited to help develop the Strategy. The consultation process is now open. Visit www.dss.gov.au/national-autism-strategy to get involved.

Findings and recommendations from the Senate Select Committee on Autism final report will also be considered as part of the development of the Strategy.

Why is the National Autism Strategy important?

There is a growing number of Australians on the autism spectrum and with other neurodevelopmental conditions. For many Autistic people life outcomes in education, vocation, health and family functioning continue are worse than they should be.

There is a 20-year gap in life expectancy compared with the general population.

Autistic people are also around seven (7) times more likely to be unemployed than people without disability, and they have a higher risk of homelessness.

People within the Autistic community have called for a dedicated National Autism Strategy.

A National Autism Strategy will improve life outcomes for all Autistic people in Australia. It will provide, for the first time, a coordinated national approach to services and supports for Autistic Australians and their families.

The National Autism Strategy will sit alongside Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

Subscribe to stay updated on the National Autism Strategy

Statement on language:

The Australian Government acknowledges that people use different words to talk about autism, and that each person will have a way of talking about autism and themselves that they like best. Some people in the Autistic community like to say ‘Autistic person’ (identity first language), some like to say ‘person with Autism’ (person first language), and some find with using either.

The Australian government is using identity first language to talk about the Natural Autism Strategy. This means we will be using the term Autistic person or Autistic people.