Queensland's most experienced provider of specialised education and therapy services for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Early Years

Autism Queensland provides a range of services and programs to assist young children with autism, their families and the professionals who support them. 

If you are the parent, carer or family member of a young child with autism please click here to learn more about the ways in which we can help your child.  

For more information on the services we offer to assist organisations and professionals supporting children with autism and their families, please click here.  

HCWA & Better Start Funding Update - June 2020

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has extended the HCWA and Better Start program to ensure families with a child/children in the program will continue to receive support through the challenges the pandemic has presented. 

This means that some of the information previously provided about HCWA or Better Start has changed.

What this means for parents:

  • HCWA and Better Start programs will no longer be ending on 30 June 2020 for existing clients. 
  • Instead, your child’s HCWA or Better Start eligibility will now end when whichever of the below happens first:
    • your child turns seven; or
    • all funding has been spent; or
    • your child has an NDIS plan in place; or
    • 31 March 2021.

Please note: The HCWA and Better Start programs are not reopening to new children and funding for these programs is transitioning to the NDIS.

Therefore it is important you test your child’s eligibility for the NDIS as soon as possible so you do not experience a gap in services. To start this process contact your Early Childhood partner or the NDIS National Call Centre on 1800 800 110 as soon as possible.

If your child is NOT ELIGIBLE for the NDIS:

  • You can continue to receive HCWA or Better Start funding until whichever of the following happens first:
    • your child has turned seven; or
    • all funding has been spent; or
    • 31 March 2021.
  • They may be eligible for the Government’s Continuity of Support (CoS) arrangement from 1 April 2021. Until then, your child will be supported through HCWA or Better Start, as long as they remain eligible. (CoS is intended to support clients of existing Commonwealth programs to access similar supports and services to those under HCWA or Better Start.)

To understand how the NDIS is operating during the pandemic, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support section of the NDIS website.

For more information:
For general questions about your child's transition to the NDIS contact the Department of Social Services’ Early Intervention Helpdesk on 1800 778 581 or email early.intervention@dss.gov.au.  

You can also contact the NDIS National Call Centre on 1800 800 110 or call the Early Childhood Partner in your area, see www.ndis.gov.au/ecei.