Our History

The Autistic Children’s Association of Queensland (Inc), as the organisation was first known, was registered as a charity with the Queensland Government on 1 October 1967 and the first funded program was the employment of a part-time occupational therapist who worked with two children.

After several slight name changes – Autism Association Queensland Inc (1999) and Autism Queensland Inc (2002) – the organisation became a company limited by guarantee, Autism Queensland Limited, in 2013.

The modern-day Autism Queensland is the state’s lead agency for the provision of targeted services to people of all ages on the autism spectrum. It is also registered to provide supports to NDIS participants.

We deliver services and supports statewide from centres in Brisbane at Sunnybank Hills and Brighton, and from Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns. Autism Queensland also operates an accredited, independent school with two campuses in Brisbane and one in Cairns.

We employ over 400 staff and our policies and services are overseen by a Board of Directors.

Autism Queensland is involved in a variety of research programs in collaboration with universities and the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) to better understand autism and develop improved interventions for people on the spectrum in the future.

Demand for our vital services continues to grow every year and we rely on the support of community, government and businesses to help us resource these valuable programs and expand facilities to meet need.