South Australia has marked four years of focused work on autism inclusion as the government prepares for a ministerial handover. Outgoing Minister for Autism highlighted the role of the autistic community in shaping policies and initiatives across the state.
Since the Premier prioritised autism inclusion, the state has engaged extensively with autistic people and their families. More than 1,000 individuals contributed to the development of the first Autism Strategy, with hundreds attending forums to discuss successes and areas for improvement.
Over the past four years, the government has invested over $50 million into autism inclusion programs. Initiatives include establishing the Office for Autism within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, creating the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee to embed autistic voices in decision-making, and funding an autism inclusion teacher in every public primary school. Additionally, more than 6,000 South Australian workers have received autism awareness training to support more inclusive workplaces.
The outgoing minister emphasised that the role was never about holding a title but responding to the community’s call for tangible change. “It has been a genuine privilege to work alongside the autistic community – to listen, learn and deliver policies together,” they said, thanking members of the community for their contributions.
Looking ahead, the government has committed to extending autism inclusion programs to all public high schools and developing more inclusive facilities throughout the school system. Lucy Hood, the incoming Minister for Autism, will take over from her predecessor, with the work of building a more inclusive South Australia set to continue.
The minister expressed gratitude to the autistic and autism communities, saying their engagement and leadership were central to the state’s progress. Their input has been credited with shaping not just policy but also the government’s confidence in pursuing meaningful change.
South Australia’s approach has been noted for embedding community voices in policy design and for delivering targeted programs aimed at inclusion across education and workplaces. Observers suggest that while challenges remain, the state’s model provides a reference point for other governments seeking to improve autism inclusion.
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