Australian Government response to the Senate Select Committee on Autism

The Australian Government is committed to improving services and outcomes for all Australians with disability, including autistic Australians. 

On Friday 25 March 2022, the Senate Select Committee on Autism tabled their final report from their inquiry into services, support and life outcomes for autistic Australians.

This report makes 81 recommendations, along with 5 dissenting recommendations (other recommendations).

These recommendations include:

• development of a National Autism Strategy to improve the lives of autistic people; 
• building understanding of autism;
• helping people with autism to be diagnosed and supported as early as possible;
• improving services which support autistic people;
• improving education, employment and health services for autistic people;
• supporting parents and carers; and
• establishing national research into autism.

This document summarises the response of the Australian Government to each of the recommendations of the Senate Select Committee on Autism. 

Development of a National Autism Strategy 

(Recommendations 1 to 5) 

Recommendation 1 

That the Australian Government develop a National Autism Strategy within 12 months to improve services and supports for autistic Australians. 

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 2

The development of a National Autism Strategy should be led by a national taskforce which is part of the National Federation Reform Council. 

The taskforce should use a co-design approach, which means it will involve the autistic community, as well as parents, carers, researchers, and policy makers. 

This recommendation was partially supported by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• They will work with state and territory governments to make sure the development of a National Autism Strategy uses a co-design approach.
• Development of the strategy should happen as part of one of the existing forums which include the Australian, state and territory governments.

Recommendation 3

The National Autism Strategy should include an outcomes framework (a document that guides what it will achieve), as well as clear actions, targets and milestones which can be measured. 

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 4

The taskforce should monitor and report every year on how the National Autism Strategy is being put in place. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 5

An independent review of the National Autism Strategy should happen after three years, with the findings to be shared with everyone and used to update the strategy.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Services and supports for autistic people 

(Recommendations 6 to 17)

Recommendation 6

The Joint Steering Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) should find out more about the experiences of autistic people in the NDIS. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• The NDIS is not designed to replace other government services and community supports. 
• There have been other recent activities which are helping to find out more about the experiences of autistic people in the NDIS. 

Recommendation 7

The National Autism Strategy should help to make sure all federal and state service systems work well together, and that NDIS and mainstream services work better together.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that a lot has already been done to make sure the NDIS works better with health, child protection, transport, justice, school and mental health systems. 

Recommendation 8

The National Disability Insurance Agency should provide support coordination assistance in all plans for autistic NDIS participants who:

• have complex or high care needs;
• are from groups who have high needs; and
• have plans that are not being used well.

One year of support coordination assistance should also be included in plans for all new NDIS participants.

This recommendation was not supported by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• Funding for a NDIS plan is based on the reasonable and necessary supports the person requires. 
• Support coordination can only be included in a plan if it meets the funding criteria (the NDIS Act and rules).

Recommendation 9

The National Disability Insurance Agency should continue to improve the capacity of its staff, including Local Area Coordinators, to provide better support to autistic people. 

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 10

The National Autism Strategy should help to increase community understanding of autism. 

This could include a public education campaign that shows the experiences of different autistic people and helps to improve inclusion for all autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that all information developed will be accessible and appropriate for First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people. 

Recommendation 11

The National Autism Strategy should help to ensure there is good and reliable (evidence-based) information about autism which can be used by autistic people, their families, 

and people working to support them.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 12

The National Autism Strategy should include guidelines to help to make sure service providers meet the needs of autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 13

A National Autism Workforce Plan should be developed as part of the strategy to make sure there are skilled workers available to deliver services for autistic people. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that they will also develop a new NDIS Workforce Strategy to make sure there are enough skilled workers available, including those supporting autistic people. 

Recommendation 14

That the Department of Home Affairs work with other government departments and the National Disability Insurance Agency to enable skilled workers from other countries to come to Australia to make sure there are enough workers to support autistic people.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 15

The National Autism Strategy should measure and report on how autistic people are included in the community.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government.

Recommendation 16

Peer-to-peer networking and support projects should continue to be funded as a priority under the Department of Social Services’ Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that it will look at how to support projects which include peer-to-peer networking and support as part of the current review of the Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Strategy. 

Recommendation 17

Online resources should be developed by autism education and advocacy organisations and should be used to help community organisations understand how they can support and include autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Supports and services for special groups of autistic people (Recommendations 18 to 25)

Recommendation 18

The National Autism Strategy should aim to meet the needs of all autistic people. 

This should include making sure there are the right supports and services for autistic adults, women and girls, as well as groups of autistic people who need more help (groups who are disadvantaged and vulnerable).

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 19

The National Autism Strategy should make it easier for autistic people to get support from services in regional and remote areas. 

This should include different ways of providing services in remote areas (such as telehealth), as well as making sure more health professionals are working in regional and remote communities.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 20

The National Autism Strategy should make sure First Nations peoples have the support they need from services.

The group that is developing the National Autism Strategy should include First Nations people.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. It noted that First Nations organisations will be involved in developing the National Autism Strategy, including the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN).

Recommendation 21

All governments around Australia should review how services are being delivered for autistic people with complex needs. 

They should make changes so there is enough support for people and families with complex support needs, including for when they need support immediately (during times of crisis).

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 22

It should be clear in the National Autism Strategy that families, parents and carers are very important in the lives of autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 23

The National Disability Insurance Agency should work with stakeholders and experts to:

• make the 'ordinary role of parenting' principle clearer, because parents and carers of autistic people have a lot of responsibilities; and
• put in place a family-centred approach to planning that adds to the Early Childhood Approach and is supported by training for NDIS workers.

This recommendation was partially supported by the Australian Government. It noted that the NDIA will continue to work with the Independent Advisory Council to the NDIS on how to best support families and carers in their roles.

Recommendation 24

The National Disability Insurance Agency should publish the guidance it gives to planners regarding the role of caregivers and families.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 25

State and territory governments review the respite and support services which are available now for parents. 

They should work to make sure there is support for all parents.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• This is something for state and territory governments to consider.
• Support for all carers is available now through the Carer Gateway. 

Research and data 

(Recommendations 26 to 28)

Recommendation 26

A National Autism Research Framework should be part the National Autism Strategy.

This framework should be based on what the Australian Autism Research Council thinks the main research aims should be.

It should also work well with the National Disability Research Agenda being developed by the National Disability Research Partnership.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP), once fully set up, will guide and improve research about disability and translate this research into policy and practice. 

Recommendation 27

The taskforce established to develop the National Autism Strategy should look at how to improve the collection of data about autistic people. 

This should help to make sure there is better research, policy and practice which helps to improve the lives of autistic people. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Australian and state and territory governments are working together to develop a National Disability Data Asset (NDDA). 

This project aims to better understand how people with disability are supported through services, payments and programs.

Recommendation 28

The Australian Government should make sure autism research is seen as very important as part of the National Disability Research Agenda and National Disability Data Asset. 

This should include the creation of separate funding for autism research within existing research grant programs.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Advocacy 

(Recommendations 29 to 37)

Recommendation 29

The Commonwealth, state and territory governments should re-commit to a national approach to disability advocacy. This should include:

• reviewing the National Disability Advocacy Framework to make sure it works as well as possible; and
• updating the National Disability Advocacy Framework to include performance measures and reporting requirements.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Australian Government, and state and territory governments are working together to develop a new National Disability Advocacy Framework (NDAF). 

Public consultation has been used to help develop the new framework. 

Recommendation 30

A National Autism Advocacy Plan should be developed under the of the National Autism Strategy. 

This plan should work well with the National Disability Advocacy Framework.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• All governments are working together to develop a Disability Advocacy Work Plan to help make sure the National Disability Advocacy Framework (NDAF) works well.
• All governments are working together to develop a National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) is being developed to help to better understand how people with disability are supported through services, payments and programs. 

Recommendation 31

A National Autism Advocacy Plan should include the need for different advocacy services to support the range of presentations across the spectrum and the stage of life of autistic people who need advocacy.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 32

The Australian Government should make sure that the National Disability Advocacy Program and other Australian Government funded disability advocacy programs fund at least one advocacy service in each state and territory that is just for autistic people. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• The Australian Government currently funds 59 organisations across Australia to deliver the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP), which provides people with disability with access to advocacy.
• It also funds 17 organisations through the Disability Representative Organisations (DRO) program to represent people with disability and provide advice to the Australian Government. Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia is funded through the DRO program.

Recommendation 33

State and territory governments should fund autism-specific advocacy services under their funded disability advocacy programs. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that this recommendation is something for state and territory governments to consider. 

The Australian Government is currently working with state and territory governments to improve access to high quality advocacy services.

Recommendation 34

The Australian Government should provide funding for autism-specific advocacy groups to help other disability advocacy organisations to provide better support for autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Department of Social Services will consider this recommendation when developing future grant activities and the broader Information Linkages and Capacity Building Strategy. 

Recommendation 35

The Australian Government, through the Department of Social Services' Information Linkages and Capacity Building program, should provide funding to autism-specific advocacy groups to build the self-advocacy and self-determination skills of autistic people (and their families), including through peer support programs.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 36

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment should work with all key agencies and stakeholders to provide guidance and resources to help schools teach self-advocacy skills. 

This content should be accessible to students with autism.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Department of Education is supporting Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) to develop resources for students and their parents and carers on their rights. 

Recommendation 37

Consideration should be given to whether the National Disability Insurance Scheme could play a greater role in supporting the development of self-advocacy skills (as part of a participant's Capacity Building budget).

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government.

Diagnostic services 

(Recommendations 38 to 42)

It is important that the National Autism Strategy includes actions to improve access to autism diagnosis. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that it is already supporting implementation of the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia to improve diagnosis practices across Australia and to improve access to targeted supports and services. 

Recommendation 39

State and territory governments should review their child health and development screening programs to look for ways to improve early identification of autism.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. This recommendation is for state and territory governments to consider.

Recommendation 40

The Australian Government should instruct the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Advisory Committee to review MBS items related to diagnosis of autism. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the MBS Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) is an independent body, and its outcomes, including recommendations for new MBS items, depend on assessment against the committee framework.

Recommendation 41

That the Department of Health puts in place, as quickly as possible, the remaining recommendations of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce in relation to the diagnosis of autism, complex allied health assessments and multidisciplinary planning.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government.

It noted that changes to the MBS relating to diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and eligible disabilities will take effect on 1 March 2023.

Recommendation 42

The current age limit on Medicare Benefits Schedule items related to the diagnosis of autism should be removed.

This recommendation was not supported by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• Age limits across MBS services for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and eligible disabilities will be changed from under 13 to under 25 years of age on 1 March 2023.
• Any further changes to the age limits should be considered as part of a Post Implementation Review, which should happen by 1 March 2025.

Early intervention approaches 

(Recommendations 43 to 45)

Recommendation 43

The Australian Government should fund quality research to continue addressing gaps in the evidence for early intervention approaches.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 44

The Australian Government should look at options to improve post-diagnosis support, including a one-stop shop for directing individuals to the most appropriate support services.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 45

All NDIS planners and educators who are part of the new Early Childhood Approach should undergo training in understanding autism and best evidence-based approaches to intervention.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Education 

(Recommendations 46 to 57)

Recommendation 46

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment and state and territory education authorities should:

• work with the taskforce that will develop the National Autism Strategy to apply an 'autism lens' to the implementation of the Disability Standards for Education review recommendations; and
• include specific actions to ensure the Disability Standards for Education meet the needs of autistic students.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that once the forum to drive development of a National Autism Strategy is determined, the Department of Education will include the forum in its consultative process for implementation of the Disability Standards for Education review recommendations. 

Recommendation 47

The Australian Government should work with all government and non-government education authorities to ensure that policies on bullying include specific measures to address bullying of autistic students.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• State and territory education authorities are responsible for the policies on bullying and support for autistic students.
• Once the forum to drive development of a National Autism Strategy is chosen, the Department of Education will consult with the forum on measures to address bullying of autistic students. 

Recommendation 48

That the Education Ministers Meeting develop a framework for regularly monitoring and publicly reporting on education outcomes for students with disability from 2023. 

This should include separate monitoring and reporting on outcomes for autistic students.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that: 

• Collecting and reporting student outcomes data is a matter for state and territory governments. 
• Once the forum to drive development of a National Autism Strategy is chosen, the Department of Education will consult with the forum on improving monitoring and reporting on outcomes for autistic students.

Recommendation 49

That when the new costing model for the students with disability loading (recommended by the National School Resourcing Board) is put in place, all education authorities are required to show that schools are receiving the funds needed to support students with disability— including autistic students.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that an independent review of the Students with Disability Loading happened in 2021. 

Findings and recommendations of this review will be provided to the Australian Government for consideration.

Recommendation 50

Where state and territory education authorities use targeted programs to distribute funding for students with disability, eligibility for these programs should be reviewed and adjusted to better meet the needs of autistic students.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It is a recommendation for state and territory government consideration.

Recommendation 51

The Australian Government should work with state and territory education authorities and relevant stakeholders to identify ways to build the capacity of teachers, school leaders and parents to support the inclusion of autistic students in schools. 

This should include the provision of additional specialist support in schools.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 52

The Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership should work with teacher regulatory authorities to:

• make sure all initial teacher education courses include at least two units on inclusive education, with a focus on the challenges experienced by autistic students; and
• include autism understanding in the professional development required for teacher registration.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that state and territory teacher regulatory authorities are responsible for initial teacher education programs, with program content the responsibility of each higher education provider. 

Recommendation 53

The Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) should work with relevant stakeholders to create more autism-related Illustrations of Practice to help teachers better support autistic students in classrooms and schools.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that AITSL has reviewed national schooling standards and frameworks. 

The Australian Government has asked AITSL to undertake work, following on from their review, which is relevant for this recommendation. 

Education Services Australia is developing case studies to provide practical examples for teachers and school leaders to support them, including nine autism-specific 

Illustrations of Practice.

Recommendation 54

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment should develop clear guidance on the schooling options available for autistic students so that parents and carers can make more informed choices. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• Decisions on schooling options for autistic students are made by education authorities in each state and territory.
• New information products are being produced to inform children and young people with disability and their families of their rights. 

Recommendation 55

The Australian Government should coordinate the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, and state and territory education authorities to:

• resolve, as quickly as possible, any outstanding issues in relationship to the intersection of school funding and the NDIS; and
• develop clear guidance in relation to the intersection of school funding and the NDIS, including the provision of NDIS supports within schools.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 56

The Equity in Higher Education Panel (EHEP) should include a specific focus on the needs of autistic students as part of its work to develop a Student Equity in Higher Education Roadmap. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the EHEP will consider the needs of autistic students as part of their ongoing work and will work with the forum chosen to drive development of a National Autism Strategy.

Recommendation 57

That a Transition to Work Roadmap be developed to provide one national approach to transition planning across school and higher education settings.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Australian Government has already committed to develop new approaches to support young people with disability in their transition from school to work.

Recommendation 58

A National Autism Employment Framework should be developed. 

It should work well with the Employ My Ability strategy and should help with the development of the new Disability Employment Support (DES) Model.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is supportive of this recommendation. 

This will be considered in future APSC work in the disability employment space, and in diversity and inclusion initiatives more broadly. 

Recommendation 59

All monitoring and evaluation activities related to the Employ My Ability strategy and the new Disability Employment Support Model should allow for disaggregation by disability type, including autism.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 60

That the new Disability Employment Support Model includes:

• relevant elements of the National Autism Employment Framework; and
• lessons from autism-specific employment programs about what works in achieving long-term employment outcomes for autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Health and Mental Health 

(Recommendations 61 to 67)

Recommendation 61

That the Department of Health work with the taskforce established to develop the National Autism Strategy to develop a National Roadmap for Improving Health Services for Autistic People, similar to the National Roadmap for Improving Health Services for People with Intellectual Disability. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 62

That the new National Roadmap for Improving Health Services for Autistic People includes an associated National Autism Mental Health Plan aimed specifically at improving the treatment of autistic people with co-occurring mental health conditions. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government.

Recommendation 63

That the Australian Government works with hospitals and public health care settings to improve the experience of autistic people in their care. 

This may include providing guidance about reasonable adjustments or employing autism liaison officers.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 64

That the health and wellbeing priority under the new National Autism Research Framework includes a focus on:

• analysis and reporting of population health data for autistic people;
• the risk factors, causes and presentation of comorbidities; and
• evaluation of health and mental health interventions for autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 65

That the Australian Government work with state and territory governments and relevant stakeholders to develop and widely promote clinical care pathways to help autistic people navigate the health care system, including mental health services.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that this recommendation will need to be considered in the development of a National Roadmap for Improving Health Services for Autistic People.

Recommendation 66

That the Australian Government work with state and territory governments and relevant stakeholders to put in place specialised care models to meet the needs of autistic people, including mental health care needs. 

These models should offer tiered services and supports that are available to autistic people and their families throughout their health care journey.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• This recommendation will need to be considered in the development of a National Roadmap for Improving Health Services for Autistic People.
• There is an opportunity for governments to work together under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement to ensure mental health and suicide prevention services meet the needs of autistic people.

Recommendation 67

That a national standard for information accessibility be developed under the National Autism Strategy. 

This standard should fit well with existing accessibility standards but should also be tailored to meeting the needs of autistic people.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Housing 

(Recommendations 68 to 72)

Recommendation 68

There should be an independent review of how funded supports are resulting in autistic people being able to live independently.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government.

Recommendation 69

The National Disability Insurance Agency should work with relevant stakeholders to review the Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard to ensure it accounts for the sensory issues experienced by autistic participants.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. It noted that the NDIA has engaged Liveable Housing Australia (LHA) to develop a guide for expanding the amount of relevant detail available for building of Specialist Disability Accommodation dwellings. 

Recommendation 70

That the Australian Government work with state and territory governments and relevant stakeholders to develop housing strategies to encourage the construction of social housing that responds to the needs of autistic people.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that:

• The Australian Government provides around $1.6 billion each year to states and territories to improve housing and homelessness outcomes through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA).
• The Australian and state and territory governments continue to engage actively on housing issues for people with disability through regular meetings of Disability Ministers. 
• The Australian Government has also made a commitment to develop a National Housing and Homelessness Plan. 

Recommendation 71

That the National Disability Insurance Agency work with state and territory governments and non-government housing providers to increase the supply of the 'robust' category of Specialist Disability Accommodation.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 72

That the National Disability Insurance Agency work with state and territory governments to clarify the intersection of responsibilities in relation to housing for people with complex support needs.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that states and territories are responsible for providing day-to-day housing and homelessness services, including providing housing for people with disability who are not eligible for housing supports under the NDIS.

Justice 

(Recommendations 73 to 81)

Recommendation 73

That the Complex Support Needs (CSN) Pathway be reviewed to ensure its focus is on preventing (rather than responding to) escalating behaviours that may result in interactions with the justice system.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the NDIA is improving the CSN pathway to make sure there is a stronger focus on high risk, vulnerable participants, with proactive monitoring and intervention as required. 

Recommendation 74

That the Australian Government work with state and territory governments and relevant stakeholders to investigate options for diversionary programs, rather than custodial sentences, where appropriate.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that while diversionary programs are largely a matter for state and territory governments, the Australian Government supports in principle the improvement of diversionary pathways to deliver better outcomes for autistic people in the justice system.

Recommendation 75

That autism is made a part of initial education courses and ongoing professional development requirements for all workers involved in the justice system, including police, lawyers, and court staff.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the Australian Government will engage with National Judicial College of Australia, Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration and the federal courts to encourage them to consider this recommendation.

Recommendation 76

That community policing approaches are encouraged around Australia to build understanding and trust between police and the autistic community.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that this is a matter for state and territory police.

Recommendation 77

That the Australian Government work with states and territory governments to promote a culture in the justice system where autistic people feel supported to disclose their diagnosis, and where people with undiagnosed disabilities feel comfortable requesting an assessment.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that the federal courts are each responsible for their own operation and management, including their organisational culture. 

Recommendation 78

That the Australian Government work with state and territory governments and relevant stakeholders to develop nationally consistent guidance on the type of adjustments that should be made available to autistic people in justice settings. 

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. It noted that each of the federal courts is responsible for putting in place any guidance on the type of adjustments that should be made available to autistic people in justice settings.

Recommendation 79

The effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Agency's response to previous recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS should be assessed to make sure there is better support for autistic people within the justice system.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 80

That the National Disability Insurance Agency publish:

• the findings of its review into the Complex Support Needs Pathway; and
• the Maintaining Critical Supports Framework, including its policy on provider of last resort arrangements.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 81

The effectiveness of the Justice Liaison Officer program should be assessed in relation to supporting the transition of autistic people from detention settings into the community.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendations from the Australian Greens Senator’s Dissenting Report

Recommendation 1

That the Australian Government takes urgent steps to ensure that all policies relating to autistic people:

• place autistic people at the centre;
• are evidence informed and human rights-based;
• are informed by the social and affirmative model of disability; and
• are aligned with Australia's commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 2

That the National Autism Strategy:

• closely align with the National Disability Strategy to recognise the interaction between autism and other disabilities and mental illnesses;
• focus on the autistic community, and that a separate strategy is considered which focuses on the families and carers; and
• is created through a process of co-design with autistic people and those they choose as support people, the Disability Royal Commission and stakeholder groups.

This recommendation was supported in principle by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 3

That the Australian Government transition to a fully inclusive education system by 2030, through a National Inclusive Education Transition Plan.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that while the Australian Government provides substantial funding for government and non-government schools and works with states and territories in developing national priorities for education, it does not have a direct role in the administration or operation of schools. 

Recommendation 4

All further research, education and training relating to autistic people should be co designed and co-delivered by autistic people.

This recommendation was supported by the Australian Government. 

Recommendation 5

That an easy-read version of the committee's report and this dissenting report be distributed so that it is widely accessible to the autistic community.

This recommendation was noted by the Australian Government. It noted that this is a matter for the committee.