Autism Support in Australia: Key Changes Since April 2025

Australia has seen significant shifts in autism policy and support structures since April 2025, with major reforms reshaping how children and families access help. From a national strategy to sweeping NDIS changes, these developments aim to balance sustainability with inclusion—but not without sparking debate.

National Autism Strategy 2025–2031

In January 2025, the federal government launched Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, setting a long-term framework to improve the lives of Autistic people through to 2031.

The strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Social inclusion

• Economic participation

• Diagnosis, services and supports

• Health and mental health

  
  

A First Action Plan (2025–2026) was released alongside the strategy, backed by targeted funding, including:

• $19.9 million over four years for peer support initiatives

• $12.2 million over five years to turn research into practical tools

• $3.7 million over two years for program evaluation

• $2.8 million over four years for a national prevalence study

Autistic people, families, and advocates were directly involved in designing the strategy, reflecting a growing commitment to lived experience shaping policy.

Foundational Supports Outside the NDIS

Following recommendations from the 2023 NDIS review, the government has been working to develop foundational supports—community-based alternatives designed for children with milder needs who may not require full NDIS packages.

These supports aim to provide earlier intervention and more flexible assistance through schools, health services, and community programs, reducing reliance on the NDIS while ensuring families don’t fall through the cracks.

The $2 Billion “Thriving Kids” Program

In August 2025, the Albanese government unveiled Thriving Kids, a $2 billion federal initiative to support children with mild to moderate autism or developmental delays outside the NDIS.

What it means:

• Children with mild-to-moderate needs will transition away from the NDIS between mid-2026 and mid-2027.

• Supports will instead be delivered through mainstream settings such as schools, GPs, early learning centres, and community services.

• States are required to match the federal investment with their own $2 billion contribution, sparking debates over responsibility and funding gaps.

  
  

The program’s goal is to slow NDIS growth from nearly 11% annually to a sustainable 5–6% by 2031, while still ensuring children receive essential help.

Sector Challenges: CentaCare Exits NDIS

Not all responses to reform have been smooth. In Queensland, CentaCare—which supports 700 clients and employs 600 staff—announced it will withdraw from the NDIS by November 2025. The organisation cited financial pressures and uncertainty surrounding policy changes, leaving families concerned about service continuity.

Looking Ahead

Together, these developments mark a pivotal moment for autism policy in Australia. The National Autism Strategy promises long-term structural reform, while the Thriving Kids program signals a shift towards more community-based support.

Yet the transition is fraught with questions: Will states deliver their share of funding? Will mainstream systems be ready to absorb thousands of children exiting the NDIS? And will families see genuine improvements, or face service gaps during the rollout?

For now, one thing is clear—autism policy in Australia is entering a new era, with 2025 setting the stage for the most significant reforms since the NDIS began.