AUTISTIC Australians will soon have more opportunities to connect with others in safe, welcoming and inclusive environments, with the Federal Government investing more than $19 million to establish a national social connections network.
The four-year investment, delivered through the National Autism Strategy 2025-2031, will fund Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) to develop and coordinate the nationwide program in partnership with autistic-led organisations and people with lived experience.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Jenny McAllister, said everyone deserved the opportunity to feel connected to their community.
“This new social connections program is being funded to create safe and inclusive spaces to empower and help people to share useful information and advice,” Ms McAllister said.
The funding responds to long-standing calls from the autistic community for greater access to inclusive peer support and social connection opportunities, which emerged during consultation on the National Autism Strategy.
Mother of an autistic teenager, Nicole Antonopoulos, welcomed the investment, saying it recognised that autistic people require tailored support rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
“I think the strategy really highlights that autistic people do have specific needs that need specific policy solutions,” she said.
According to the Department of Health, Ageing and Disability, the new program will be designed and led by people with lived experience. Aspect will work alongside autistic-led organisations and individuals to develop a national framework for delivering local peer support programs.
“Crucially, autistic-led organisations and autistic people will have a say in how community partners are funded to deliver local peer support programs and activities across Australia,” Ms McAllister said.
The network will also include a self-service online hub featuring tools, resources and training videos to support members of the autistic community to become facilitators and leaders within their local communities.
Support for families and carers is also a key component of the initiative, with dedicated peer support programs designed to help carers navigate challenges, share experiences and build stronger support networks.
For Ms Antonopoulos, peer support has already made a profound difference.
“Peer support has been absolutely a lifesaver for me,” she said.
“There’s just something in speaking to other parents and knowing that you’re not alone in your experience, learning from them, and being able to talk through your successes as well as your challenges.”
The new network is expected to strengthen community participation, reduce isolation and ensure autistic Australians and their families have greater access to meaningful, locally-led support.
