The Malinauskas Labor Government will make grants of up to $50,000 for sensory spaces, peer support programs and autism training and other projects that support autistic* South Australians and foster autistic inclusion.

Eligible organisations and community groups can apply for the new Autism Works in the Community grants worth between $2,000 and $50,000.

The autistic led Office for Autism will oversee the new grant program which is designed to more accessible in line with feedback from the autistic and autism communities.

The South Australian autistic and autism communities have made clear through extensive consultation that support is needed to build autistic inclusion in our local businesses, venues and community spaces.

The Malinauskas Labor Government established the nation’s first Office for Autism in the Department of Premier and Cabinet last year, placing autistic leaders at the heart and centre of government.

Eligible organisations and community groups have until 28 March 2024 to apply for the Autism Works in the Community Grants through the Office for Autism’s website: https://www.officeforautism.sa.gov.au/grants-program-2024

Interested applicants can attend an online information session about the new grants program hosted by the Office for Autism on Thursday 7 March 2024 from 12.00pm to 1.00pm ACDT by emailing officeforautism@sa.gov.au or registering through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/autism-works-in-the-community-grants-program-information-session-tickets-838367187827.

Quotes

Attributable to Hon Emily Bourke MLC

The Autism Works in Community Grants Program will help make practical meaningful change in South Australian communities when we know approximately one in four Australians has an autistic family member.

Make sure to apply to this innovative new grants program if you have a project or idea in mind that will help build knowledge, understanding and belonging for the autistic and autism communities.

I am excited to see the diverse mix of projects and initiatives that emerge in our communities thanks to the Autism Works in Community Grants Program.

Background

Autism is a neurological difference in the way that individuals experience and respond to the world around them. There is not one singular way that Autistic people experience the world. That’s why the term ‘spectrum’ is often used – to reflect the fact that every individual’s lived experience of autism is different.

More than 200,000 Australians are Autistic. 1 in 4 Australians has an autistic family member.

Autism is the largest primary disability group in the NDIS, and South Australia sits above the national average, with 41% of South Australian NDIS participants being Autistic.

*This document uses identity-first language throughout. We recognise there are people in the autistic community who prefer person-first language, people who prefer identity-first language and people who use the terms interchangeably.