Australia’s First National Autism Strategy: What It Means For You

carli215
Oct 23
4 min read

For the first time in history, Australia has launched a National Autism Strategy — a seven-year plan designed to improve the lives of autistic people in practical, long-lasting ways.

Whether you’re autistic yourself, a family member, a support worker, or an NDIS provider, this strategy is worth knowing about. It’s not just another government document. It’s a sign that things are shifting — towards more inclusion, more understanding, and hopefully, more meaningful support.

🧠 Why We Need a National Autism Strategy

Australia officially recognises around 290,000 people with an autism diagnosis — but experts believe the real number is much higher. Many people live undiagnosed due to long waitlists, cost barriers, or misunderstanding of how autism presents (especially in women, non-binary people, and culturally diverse communities).

And for those who are diagnosed, the statistics paint a tough picture:

🔸 Autistic adults are 6x more likely to be unemployed than neurotypical people

🔸 Only 5% of autistic adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher (vs 35% of non-disabled Australians)

🔸 37% of current NDIS participants list autism as their primary diagnosis — the largest of any disability group

The gaps are wide — and the strategy aims to close them.

🎯 What the Strategy Aims to Do

The vision is clear:

“A safe and inclusive society where all autistic people are supported and empowered to thrive.”

This means real changes — in schools, in workplaces, in health services, and in public spaces. It’s about shifting from a world that tries to “fix” or hide autism, to one that embraces neurodivergent people exactly as they are.

To do this, the strategy is built around four pillars of reform, with 22 specific commitments that will be rolled out in phases.

🔵 1. Social Inclusion

Creating a society where autistic people feel seen, safe, and celebrated. This includes:

Autism-friendly community spaces (e.g. sensory-friendly bank branches, events, quiet waiting rooms)
Public education campaigns to reduce stigma
More inclusive communication tools and signage

🔵 2. Economic Inclusion

Helping autistic people find and keep jobs they actually enjoy. Reforms include:

Encouraging employers to hire and support autistic staff
Making recruitment processes more accessible
Supporting workplace adjustments and flexibility
Resources for people who want to start their own business

🔵 3. Diagnosis, Services and Supports

Making it easier to get a timely, affordable, and respectful diagnosis — and to access supports that work. This part of the strategy includes:

Improving screening tools and reducing wait times
Providing neurodiversity-affirming supports that focus on strengths, not deficits
Ensuring people get the right mix of therapy, services, and social supports — not just through the NDIS, but also in schools, workplaces, and mainstream health systems

🔵 4. Health and Mental Health

This ties into a separate but connected project: the National Autism Health Roadmap, which is still in development.

It aims to:

Improve access to inclusive, trauma-informed health care
Reduce diagnostic delays, especially in under-served communities
Increase support for mental health challenges like anxiety, burnout, and depression

💰 How Much Is the Government Investing?

To kick things off, the Australian Government has committed $42.3 million for the first phase. This includes:

Funding Area	What It’s For	Amount
Peer support programs	Lived-experience support and culturally safe guidance	$19.9 million
Translating research	Turning evidence into tools, guides and resources	$12.2 million
Program evaluation	Reviewing what works and what doesn’t	$3.7 million
Prevalence study	Understanding how many people are actually autistic	$2.8 million
Awareness campaigns	Building public understanding and acceptance	$915,000
Diagnosis resources	Creating accessible materials pre/post diagnosis	$445,000

This is only the beginning — and while funding doesn’t fix everything, it does show intent. We’ll be watching closely to see what comes next.

💡 What Does This Mean for You (or the People You Support)?

Here’s how this strategy could make a difference in everyday life:

✅ More inclusive jobs – With better recruitment, training and support for employers, autistic people may find it easier to get (and keep) jobs that suit their strengths.

✅ Improved diagnosis access – Long waitlists and unaffordable private assessments may slowly improve.

✅ Safer public spaces – From libraries to banks to festivals, more places may become low-sensory or offer quiet sessions.

✅ More lived-experience voices – Support tools will increasingly be shaped by autistic adults themselves, not just professionals.

✅ Greater awareness – You may find it easier to explain your needs, advocate for your child, or educate your workplace as understanding increases.

🤝 Our Perspective

At Loving Life Support Services, we support many autistic participants and families every day. We see their strengths, challenges, burnout, brilliance, and everything in between.

This strategy is long overdue — but it’s also deeply welcome. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how these changes roll out over the next few years, and we’ll continue advocating for supports that are flexible, respectful, and tailored to real people — not just diagnoses.

📚 Want to Learn More?

Here are some helpful resources to explore: