Thank you for reading the Alliance’s first eNewsletter for 2026. As the year begins, the Australian Autism Alliance stands alongside Autistic people and autism communities across the nation, committed to amplifying our voices where it matters most.
We work to ensure our voices are not only heard but reflected in real actions and improved outcomes for everyone. Our focus is on safeguarding, transparency and accountability across the systems and reforms that affect our community.
We’ve included a summary of this eNewsletter's sections below. If you’d prefer to skip to the parts that interest you most, click on the links in the headlines below, and you will be taken to that section:
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Have your say in 2026!
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Planned 2026 activities of the Australian Autism Alliance
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Please share your lived experiences: Community engagement will be even more vital in 2026
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Policy Officer roles - Australian Autism Alliance
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Everyone’s welcome at Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum
Have your say in 2026!
We’re so grateful to everyone who shared their stories, opinions, activities, demographics and all the other things that we have asked you to do to support Autistic individuals and the autism community in 2025.
We know that your time, advice and experiences are valuable and we’re asking if you can support autism advocacy again this year and participate in sharing your lived experience, advice and opinions etc. as we head towards 2026’s areas of reform requiring an even stronger voice for Autism across Australia.
If you would like to be invited to future consultations and surveys, and for your voice to be heard and counted, please sign up below (it's free, and your details will never be shared with others!).
And if you participate in social media, please follow the Alliance’s social channels (click on the icons below), share content and proudly show that Autistic individuals, the autism community and our allies command inclusion, support and show up in strength wherever autism is being discussed in Australia
Planned 2026 activities of the Australian Autism Alliance
The Australian Autism Alliance is focused on the following, immediate activities to help build a more inclusive, equitable and just future for all Autistic Australians. We also actively step into spaces where autism should be part of the conversation but isn’t, to ensure our community’s voices are represented.
Below is a summary of these activities, and links to more information on each of them:
- Prebudget 2026/27 Submissions (Federal and State inputs). Click here for the forthcoming Federal Budget briefing
- NDIS New Planning Framework including assessments and budgeting and NDIS Legislation Rules. Click here for the Public Consultation description.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025. Click here for the latest reporting on this Parliamentary Inquiry.
- Thriving Kids Program – one part of a broader ecosystem. Click here for the Australian Autism Alliance’s Community Pulse survey reports and formal Submission to the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry
- Reframing the Public Autism Narrative across Australia. The Alliance is constantly exploring and deploying new and persuasive ways to educate those making public statements relating to Autistic individuals, and the autism community. They owe it to their audiences, and our citizens to demonstrate understanding and respect when conducting, describing and reporting upon national disability, inclusion and social policy initiatives and reform. In 2026 we will be particularly focusing upon calling out, and factually correcting the use references to, autism as a “cost” to Australia. In addition, a public campaign will be implemented to educate citizens on the preferred language of neurodivergence.
- Foundational supports – Avoiding a postcode lottery and National consistency. Click here for the latest in Federal Government reform intentions for these critical, local supports.
- Australia’s National Autism Strategy – It’s time to move on from vision to action. Click here to view the latest intentions for the deployment of this world-first initiative.
- Human Rights Act - Positive duty with proactive resolutions. Disability Rights are Human Rights and the Alliance, along with thousands of other members of the sector continue to advocate for reforms in this legislation and the ways in which it is reinforced across Australia. Click here for more information on the current Review.
Please share your lived experiences: Community engagement will be even more vital in 2026
Why?
The Australian Autism Alliance works to influence decisions and advocate strongly for Autistic Australians, our members, and our broader community. We do this by standing as autism-specific sector and community leaders, facilitating authentic and safe autistic engagement, and being recognised for communicating lived experiences through high-quality submissions, evidence, and consultations.
In response to increased activity from Royal Commissions, sector and NDIS reviews, and incident management findings, the demand for advocacy, co-design, lived experience, and evidence has grown significantly during 2025–26. Today, Autistic Australians and our communities are facing a rising number of inquiries, commissions, proceedings, and reviews.
The Australian Autism Alliance, alongside our members, community, and allies, remains committed to being represented and heard in every forum where the health, wellbeing, and success of Autistic Australians are discussed—and where decisions that affect us are made.
What?
At times, the Alliance is invited to provide autistic perspectives and help decision-makers experience the world “through an autistic lens.” At other times, we must advocate to ensure our voices are heard, counted, and considered equitably.
To do this, we need to gather your lived experiences and authentically communicate them to those making decisions about us.
When possible, Autistic people, members, community members, and allies will be invited to share feedback, advice, and recommendations. These will be compiled into formal submissions and other public materials. Participation may include surveys, group discussions, online sessions, or interviews and meetings. If these options don’t work for you, our Policy Team welcomes you to contact us to explore other ways to have your say.
How?
Please sign up to be contacted when consultation opportunities arise and support the Australian autism community whenever you can.
Other opportunities
Applications for our external advisory groups will also be opening soon. If you’re on our mailing list, keep an eye out for these email invitations.
Policy Officer roles - Australian Autism Alliance
To guide and support the Alliance’s increased influencing and policy advisory, the Australian Autism Alliance is recruiting multiple Policy Officers to join our team and contribute to national disability reform during this critical period of system change.
These roles provide the opportunity to:
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Contribute to national disability, inclusion and social policy reform
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Develop high-quality policy advice, briefs, submissions and analysis
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Engage with government, DROs, research bodies and community organisations
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Support policy and advocacy work that is co-designed with Autistic people
Positions are part-time, with remote and flexible working arrangements, and are offered on a contract through to 30 June 2026, with strong potential for extension.
Please share these opportunities with people within your networks. The Australian Autism Alliance strongly encourages applications from appropriately qualified and experienced Autistic and neurodivergent people, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people from diverse backgrounds. Lived experience is valued, and adjustments to the recruitment process are welcomed.
Everyone’s welcome at Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum
Join us on 24 and 25 February 2026 for Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum, fee free, in Adelaide and online.
Australia’s National Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (the Strategy) is our ongoing national commitment to improve the lives of all people with disability.
This two-day National Forum is your chance to learn, share experiences, and gain insights on our health and safeguarding. Your participations, ideas and opinions can influence the ongoing implementation of the Strategy.
There will be keynote speakers and opportunities to join interactive panel and Q&A sessions. You can attend the event in person at the Adelaide Convention Centre, or online via livestream.
This is a free event. Register for Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum now by clicking on this link: ADS National Forum 2026.
Registrations close 13 February 2026.
NDIS Information session: Funding periods and eligibility reassessments
There is still time to join us for an information session focused on providing detailed information for Autistic participants on funding periods and eligibility reassessments. This will be co-facilitated by Australian Autism Alliance.
Funding periods define how often a participant can access a portion of their funding and how long it needs to last. They help participants understand and manage their budget effectively, ensuring funds are available for the full length of the plan.
Eligibility reassessments are the process of checking to make sure a participant is still eligible for the NDIS.
The following speakers will be part of the panel discussion:
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Alex Rosenthal, Branch Manager, Engagement and Inclusion, NDIA
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Matthew Wright, Director, Sector Advice, Engagement and Inclusion, NDIA
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Jenny Karavolos, Co-chair Australian Autism Alliance/ NDIS participant nominee
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Clare Gibellini, independent advocate/NDIS participant.
Where: Virtual information session delivered via Microsoft Teams
Date & Time: Thursday, 5 February 2026 (6:30pm-7:30pm AEST)
Pre-submission of questions: Submit your questions as you register attendance
RSVP: Before 12pm Wednesday 4th February, 2026
The session will be delivered via a live videoconference using the secure Microsoft Teams platform. Please take advantage of the opportunity to pre-submit your question/s during your registration (closing 12pm AEST on Wednesday 4th February).
Register your attendance and questions here
Following registration, you will receive a webinar access link, via email to the address you provide at registration (if you do not receive this, please check your junk mail folder… your system might filter emails of this type), or contact the Australian Autism Alliance.
If we run out of time to answer all questions, they will be taken on notice and responses provided in a timely manner.
For any enquiries regarding this session, please contact [email protected] and mention "NDIA Autism Alliance Legislation Information Session" in your subject line
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