One Year On: What the National Autism Strategy 2025-2031 Has Sparked – and Where We Go From Here
When the National Autism Strategy 2025-2031 was first released, it marked a powerful moment for autism inclusion in Australia – a long-awaited national framework co-designed with Autistic people, families, carers and advocates. Its vision was clear: a safe and inclusive society where Autistic people are supported and empowered to thrive.
Now, twelve months on, some of that promise is starting to take shape – even as the broader policy landscape shifts beneath it.
Where Progress Has Begun
Concrete Actions Through the First Action Plan
The First Action Plan (2025-26) outlined early steps across social inclusion, economic inclusion and diagnosis,services and supports. These include initiatives to:
- Improve access to autism diagnosis and assessment pathways.
- Enhance public understanding and education around autism.
- Support workplace inclusion and employment pathways.
- Build peer-led support networks.
This plan has set in motion groundwork for longer-term change – with accountability measures and monitoring built into implementation.
What We’re Seeing in the Real World
Community Responses Reflect Hope – and Frustration
Across the autism community, reactions have included optimism that a strategic framework exists, and concern that the pace and scale of meaningful change isn’t yet enough. Some people have welcomed the clearer national direction; others feel that key challenges remain unaddressed in practice, including:
- Access to assessments and supports: Long waits and high costs for diagnostic services persist, underscoring a gap between strategic intent and lived experience.
- Inconsistent service experiences: Many families and individuals say frontline services, schooling supports and service coordination vary widely – something a national strategy must reconcile to be truly effective.
- Concern about adult support: Some commenters note that supports for adults – especially those without recent diagnoses or with complex needs – still feel overlooked.
Policy Landscape: New Developments That Intersect withthe Strategy
Focus on Early Childhood Support Models
Beyond the Strategy itself, broader national policy discussions are influencing how autism supports are delivered:
- The federal government has announced a major reform – the “Thriving Kids" initiative – aimed at creating developmental supports for children outside the NDIS for those with mild to moderate support needs. This represents a systemic shift in how services might be accessed and funded.
This is important context: while the Strategy lays a framework for inclusion, these broader policy changes affect how autism support– especially for children – is structured in practice.
What’s Still in the Works
Health & Mental Health Roadmap
Although the Strategy includes health and mental health as a core pillar, its full implementation relies on the separate but connected National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People – work that continues to develop.
Research and Measurement
One of the Strategy’s commitments is to boost data and evidence, including autism prevalence studies. Recent government investment has supported epidemiological research, which will provide better national insights and guide future services and policies.
Voices From the Community
One year on, the autism community is still passionately engaging with what the Strategy means in reality:
“This won’t change things overnight, but it does create a national baseline the government can be held accountable to.” –Community commenter on public forum.
Others have highlighted the ongoing tension between strategic direction and day-to-day experiences of support, employment and health care. Many are watching to see whether the Strategy translates into measurable improvements in waiting times, employment rates and quality of services.
Looking Ahead: What Matters Most Now
As we move further into the Strategy’s timeline, here are the key areas to watch:
✅ Implementation of the Action Plan – Will commitments turn into real services, programs and outcomes that people can access?
✅Health and Mental Health Roadmap delivery – A crucial piece of the puzzle for wellbeing and continuity of care.
✅Cross-sector collaboration – Including education, employment, housing, health, and mainstream service systems.
✅Community leadership in policy decisions – Ensuring Autistic voices remain central in shaping action.
How You Can Continue to Engage
The National Autism Strategy provides tools for advocacy and community momentum:
- Stay informed through official government updates on implementation and action plans.
- Speak up about your experiences, successes, and challenges – they help shape what works and what doesn’t.
- Connect with advocates, organisations and networks that elevate Autistic leadership in policy and service design.
Together, a year on from the launch of the Strategy, there’s both reason for cautious optimism and a clear case for continued engagement. If inclusion, support and real opportunity are going to become realities – not just aspirations – it will take sustained effort across government, community and lived experience leadership.