In August 2025, AQ responded to the Australian Government’s announcement of the Thriving Kids program, which aims to strengthen early supports for children with developmental concerns, including autism. AQ welcomed the focus on support in everyday settings while calling for evidence-informed services, individualised support, meaningful consultation with autistic people and families, equitable access for regional and remote communities, and continuity of existing supports during the transition.

As the program developed, AQ continued to advocate for early support without a diagnosis, community-based services and a skilled workforce. These priorities were reflected in the model released by the Australian Government in February 2026, which AQ additionally provided comment on. AQ committed to working with governments and sector partners to support implementation in Queensland and help ensure children and families can access appropriate support as the program is slowly rolled out from October 2026 through to 2028.

AQ led a national consultation project to ensure the voices and lived experiences of autistic people and their families informed the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Independent Review. Through surveys, individual and group discussions, and creative submissions, the project gathered insights from autistic people and families across Australia about their experiences accessing and navigating the NDIS.

The consultation identified six key priorities for improving the NDIS: putting inclusion at the centre, building meaningful connections, strengthening participant choice and control, improving staff and provider training, recognising diverse support options, and enhancing safety. The findings provided practical, participant-led recommendations to help shape a more accessible, inclusive, and responsive NDIS that better reflects the diverse needs and preferences of autistic people.

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As a member of the Australian Autism Alliance, AQ supported national advocacy calling on political parties to improve outcomes for autistic people and their families ahead of the 2022 Federal Election. The Shifting the Dial on Autism statement outlined four key priorities: developing a National Autism Strategy, addressing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, improving health and mental health outcomes, and strengthening the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The campaign achieved an important milestone when the Coalition, Labor and the Greens committed to introducing a national strategy in the next term of Parliament. This advocacy helped advance the call for a more coordinated national approach to improving lifelong outcomes for autistic Australians.

AQ made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) inquiry into proposed independent assessments. Drawing on its expertise supporting autistic people and their families, AQ raised concerns about the lack of meaningful consultation, uncertainty around funding decisions, barriers to accessing assessments, workforce shortages and the need for assessors with appropriate specialist knowledge. AQ advocated for a more transparent, person-centred approach that recognises individual support needs and preserves participant choice and control.

The proposed independent assessment model was subsequently abandoned by the Australian Government in July 2021. While this was a broader advocacy effort across the disability community, AQ’s submission contributed its perspective and recommendations to the parliamentary inquiry examining the proposal.

AQ provided additional information to the Australian Senate Select Committee on Autism as part of its inquiry into services, support and life outcomes for autistic students. The document outlined AQ’s approach to inclusive education and highlighted the importance of autism-specific teacher training, individualised educational adjustments, specialist support and flexible schooling options to meet the diverse needs of autistic students.

Drawing on AQ’s experience supporting schools across Queensland and findings from a survey of 577 parents, the document highlighted that around half of respondents preferred educational options other than a regular mainstream classroom. AQ’s evidence contributed to the parliamentary inquiry, which informed recommendations in the committee’s 2022 final report addressing educational inclusion, specialist support and informed family choice.

In response to the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) consultation on early intervention for autistic children, AQ gathered feedback from parents and carers, allied health professionals, support providers and community organisations to inform its submission. AQ raised concerns about the proposed approach to defining best practice and determining NDIS funding, including limited consultation, a lack of individualised planning and insufficient recognition of family perspectives and professional expertise.

The submission called for the proposed approach to be paused, with greater emphasis on evidence-informed practice, family-centred support, meaningful consultation and collaboration between services. AQ advocated for flexible, individualised funding decisions that reflect each child’s needs and circumstances, rather than fixed funding bands based on age or intervention hours. The response aimed to support better outcomes for autistic children and their families by promoting a more transparent, collaborative and person-centred approach to early intervention.

Additionally, as a member of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism (AABA), AQ contributed to a joint response to the consultation. The response raised concerns about proposed funding bands and called for individualised, evidence-informed support and genuine consultation with autistic people, families and service providers.

In December 2021, the NDIA announced it would not proceed with the proposed indicative funding bands, aligning with a key concern raised through the consultation.

AQ responded to the Australian Government’s consultation on the National Disability Employment Strategy, advocating for improved employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disability, including autistic people. The response highlighted the importance of inclusive recruitment practices, appropriate workplace adjustments, employer education and support, and addressing barriers to securing and maintaining meaningful employment. AQ’s advocacy called for a more inclusive employment system that recognises the strengths, skills and contributions of people with disability and supports greater participation in the workforce.