Federal Budget 2023
The Australian Autism Alliance applauds the wonderful news of additional funding for autism being announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget by the Australian Government, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Hon Bill Shorten, MP and Hon Amanda Rishworth.
It was only 7 months ago we were so excited for the funding promise being upheld by the Australian Government’s election promise to #ShifttheDial on autism as per our policy requests for a National Autism Strategy and National Roadmap for Health and Mental Health.
Support for People with Autism
Payments ($m)
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | |
| Department of Social Services | – | 3.7 | – | – | – |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | – | 0.9 | 0.3 | – | – |
| Total – Payments | – | 4.6 | 0.3 | – | – |
The government will provide funding of $27.0 millions over 4 years from 2023-24 to undertake additional pilots of early interventions for infants with signs of autism, and further progress the Government’s election commitment to deliver a National Autism Strategy. Funding Includes:
-
$22.1 million over 4 years from 2023-24 to undertake 2 pilots of pre-emptive early interventions for infants showing signs of autism. The pilots will leverage the design of the ‘Inklings’ pilot already underway in Western Australia, with the approach adapted for conditions in different jurisdictions.
-
$3.7 million in 2023-24 to undertake a co-designed national consultation and engagement process on the National Autism Strategy, and to support the Autism Cooperative Research Centre to continue to undertake research to inform the Strategy.
-
$1.2 million over two years from 2023-24 to undertake consultation on a National Roadmap to improve the physical and mental health of autistic people.
The cost of this measure will be met by reprioritising funding from the Department of Social Services Program 3.1 (Disability and Carers), and by redirecting unallocated funding from the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program.
This measure build on the 2022-23 October Budget measure titled National Autism Strategy.
We also welcome the additional funding announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget to support and safeguard people with a disability. This includes, but there is more:
– $910 million over four years to improve the NDIS, and support and safeguard people with a disability and the Scheme.
– $142.6 million to support the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to do its job of keeping NDIS participants safe.
– $11.6 million over three years to establish a Social Enterprise Development Initiative.
– $41 million through to 2025-26 to help strengthen the supported employment sector.
– $31.4 million over four years for a National Disability Data Asset.
– $10.2 million over 4 years to establish the Central Coordination of Disability Policy that will drive whole-of-government action under Australia’s Disability Strategy.
– $199.8 million package to listen and empower local leaders, work with communities and direct services. This includes $100 million to establish an Outcomes Fund, to support the social impact investing market.
It was great to hear that at the centre of NDIS investment the principles are:
-
NDIS is here to stay.
-
That every $ counts and goes to people who the NDIS is for with the interest of the participants is at its heart.
For all the details and fact sheets regarding the NDIS and Social Services funding please go to:
https://www.dss.gov.au/publications-articles-corporate-publications-budget-and-additional-estimates-statements/budget-2023-24
We very much look forward to working with government to co-design effective solutions as we all wish for enduring outcomes that result in real improvements to the lives of people with disability, including Autistic Australians.
In particular we look forward to working with NDIA to see the huge government investment result in a ROI where the savings made from current ineffective practices within the NDIA itself, removal of fraud and market stewardship are reinvested back to those for which the scheme was designed for to meet any targets.
It is recognised that applying good design will take some time to get underway. What we do want to see happen immediately though is that the negative narrative that the scheme will fail due to autism or any other negative autism association cease! This has been leaving deserving people feeling responsible and less worthy. It also does not consider the contribution of autistic people to the economy and society more broadly. The statistics show Autistic Australians get poorer outcomes than other Australians, including other disabilities. We all know invest in people and you get great outcomes. So let’s focus on this!