Our policies
Find Autism Queensland (AQ) policies, procedures, terms and conditions, and other important documents relating to our services, programs, and operations.
We are committed to meeting legal and regulatory obligations and maintaining transparent, accountable, and consistent practices across all our services and operations. The documents below outline the policies, procedures, terms, and conditions that guide our operations and, where applicable, our interactions with clients, families, visitors, and other stakeholders.
When accessing or engaging with AQ services, you may be required to comply with the policies, procedures, and terms and conditions relevant to those services. Where formal acceptance or agreement is required, this will be outlined through the relevant process or documentation. We encourage you to review the relevant documents to understand the requirements, responsibilities, and expectations that may apply. If you need assistance or further information, please contact us.
Translating, interpreting, & advocacy support
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You may choose to access independent translation, interpreting, or advocacy services to support communication with Autism Queensland:
- TIS National provides translation and interpreting services.
- Access Hub provides communication support through the National Relay Service, including Type & Listen.
- Ask Izzy helps you find independent advocacy services that can support you to you understand your options, communicate your wishes, and make informed decisions when accessing services.
Cancellations, non-attendance, no-show, & service discontinuations
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Our policies and procedures surrounding cancellations and non-attendance of all AQ services and professional training/consultations aim to minimise the negative effect on both AQ and its clients.
Additionally, our policy and procedure addressing the discontinuation or suspension of services outlines a fair and consistent approach when AQ may need to make the difficult decision to suspend or cease provision of service to a client, when necessary and at our discretion.
To view documents, click links above.
Child/client safeguarding, protection, & inclusion
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AQ supports the active and safe participation of all children and clients engaged with us through our policies surrounding child safeguarding and adult client safeguarding.
We are committed to the protection of all children and clients (including from abuse of any kind), as outlined in our procedures for child protection, child protection at AQ School (including bullying), and adult client protection.
Additionally, we support the value of diversity and inclusion for all clients.
To view documents, click links above.
Client rights & service charter
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Easy-read available
AQ is committed to supporting the legal and human rights of our clients, as outlined in this policy (view easy-read version).
We have outlined your rights, how you will be treated, and what you can expect from us, in this charter document. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about how you have been treated at AQ, please contact us.
To view documents, click links above.
Complaints & feedback management
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Easy-read available
We aim to manage all complaints and feedback in a proactive, transparent, fair, and timely manner. Our effective feedback management is integral to quality service and crucial to our operations (view easy-read version).
Alongside, we have additional AQ School guidelines surrounding feedback and complaints management.
To view documents, click links above.
Incident & risk management
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Easy-read available
To eliminate and minimise risk and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all clients, we have implemented management strategies for risks to children and youth and adult clients.
If incidents occur, we want to ensure all stakeholders know their rights, and AQ’s commitment to transparency of handling and resolving these incidents. We outline this information in an easy-read document for reference.
To view documents, click links above.
Privacy & personal information
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Easy-read available
AQ respects the privacy of all clients, staff, and stakeholders (including online users) and safeguarding of personal information. Learn how we handle and protect your personal information here (view easy-read version).
To view documents, click links above.
School fees, enrolment, & student withdrawal
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Fees apply to AQ School (including Distance Education). In this policy we outline the financial responsibilities of parents and guardians, our fee structure and payment options, and all policies relating to enrolment, extended leave, and student withdrawal from AQ School.
To view document, click link above.
Sun safety & protection
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Sun safety is an important health and safety responsibility. We want to ensure all clients in our care are appropriately protected from the harmful effects of the sun and that sun protection behaviours are integrated into daily practices.
To view document, click link above.
Whistleblower protection & improper conduct reporting
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AQ is committed to the highest standards of conduct, ethical behaviour, and corporate governance. We do not tolerate improper conduct or state of affairs (including corrupt, illegal, or unethical conduct).
We ensure all staff and eligible parties (‘whistleblowers’) have the opportunity and protection to report any actual or suspected wrongdoing without fear of reprisal, victimisation, or discrimination.
To view document, click link above.
AQ Foundation Bursary guidelines & eligibility
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Important information
The AQ Foundation offers limited annual bursaries to help Queensland families experiencing financial hardship, where school fees are a barrier to enrolling or remaining enrolled at AQ School (with priority given to those most in need, including low-income, regional and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Applications open for a limited time each year (dates vary and are subject to change without notice) and strict eligibility, criteria, conditions, and guidelines apply.
To view document, click link above.
AQ Recognition Awards guidelines
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The following guidelines should be carefully read, considered, and acknowledged before submitting a nomination for the AQ Recognition Awards. AQ accepts no responsibility for nominations that are lost, delayed, or misdirected. Please ensure your nomination is submitted correctly and all required information is included before submitted the form. By submitting a nomination you are agreeing to all conditions.
Nomination submissions
All nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form. Nominations submitted by email will not be accepted.
Nominations will not be accepted after the advertised closing date.
Carefully review the eligibility requirements and criteria for each award and select the category that best reflects the achievements of the person, school, early childhood education provider, organisation or business you are nominating. AQ reserves the right to change the award category if deemed unsuitable or incorrect.
You may nominate the same or multiple individuals or organisation in multiple categories (if applicable), but a separate nomination form must be completed for each nomination or category.
You may include relevant supporting materials, such as a résumé, brochures, essays, media articles, website links or copies of artwork, to support your nomination.
Consent, contact information, and communication
All personal information submitted is collected and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
You must inform the person you are nominating before submitting their nomination. For a school, early childhood education provider, organisation or business, you must notify their key contact.
You must have the nominee’s permission to provide their personal details and any supporting information to AQ as part of the nomination.
Nominees must be made aware that, if selected as finalists or recipients, their details and submitted materials may be used by AQ to promote the current Recognition Awards and future Awards.
You must ensure that all contact details supplied are accurate, current and provided with the necessary consent.
By submitting a nomination, you confirm that the contact details may be used by AQ to communicate with the relevant nominee or their parent or guardian about the Recognition Awards, including updates about the nomination, finalist announcements and award-related communications.
For nominees under 18 years of age, you must provide the contact details of their parent or legal guardian, rather than the child’s personal contact details. You must have the parent’s or guardian’s consent to provide this information and confirm that the contact details supplied belong to an adult. AQ will not knowingly contact nominees under 18 directly; all award-related communications will be directed to their parent or legal guardian using the contact information provided in the submission.
Eligibility and judging
AQ, including AQ School, and its programs and staff are not eligible for nomination in any award category.
All individual nominees must reside in Queensland. Organisations, schools, early childhood education providers and businesses must be based in Queensland.
All nominations will be advised of their outcome.
One award recipient will be selected for each category.
The judging panel may award any number of special commendations in each category.
Nominations across multiple years are accepted however winners will not be eligible in back-to-back years.
Attendance at the ceremony for finalists is not required, and non-attendance will not affect the judging outcome.
Award recipients and special commendations will be acknowledged on the AQ website following the Awards ceremony.
The judges decision is final. No negotiations will be entered into.
By submitting a nomination, you acknowledge that AQ reserves the right to use the information and materials provided to promote the current Recognition Awards and future Awards.
Fundraising guidelines & responsibilities
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All AQ fundraising activities must abide these guidelines, terms, and conditions. By registering or participating with AQ fundraising activities (online or physical) you are agreeing to these conditions.
Professional development, autism workshops, & bespoke learning guidelines
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We make every attempt to ensure all sessions and opportunities proceed as outlined. We reserve the right to alter any arrangements (e.g. cancellations, adjustment of time or date, presenter substitutes, change of venue etc.) and participants will be notified as soon as possible. Should there be a cancellation, all monies will be refunded.
All sessions have a capacity limit to allow questions and interaction with facilitators. Sessions may close for bookings at any time without notice if capacity is met. Bookings close 24 hours prior to the session start time (subject to change without notice).
Cancellations and transfers
In conjunction with our policies around cancellation and non-attendance, the following apply:
Cancellation by a participant/s up to ten (10) working days prior to session will forfeit 50% of the total cost.
Cancellation by a participant/s up to ten (10) working days prior to tailored/bespoke service will forfeit 50% of the total cost.
Cancellation by a participant/s up to one (1) month prior to date of tailored/bespoke service will forfeit 10% of the total cost.
Transfers of bookings are only possible for sessions run in the same scheduling period (scheduled in line with school terms) and when ten (10) working days notification is given. This is at the discretion of AQ and no negotiations will be entered into. Contact us for more information.
Payment terms
Bookings are not confirmed until full payment has been received.
If full payment is not received within seven (7) days, the booking will be cancelled.
Direct deposits must be received prior to commencement of session. If you require an invoice or direct deposit payment method, you can do this as a payment option at checkout. A pending invoice will be emailed when the order is submitted.
Early bird payments must be received by the early bird date otherwise the standard rate will be charged.
NDIS funding is no longer available for these sessions.
Community research project advertising applications
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$250 advertisement fee applicable
AQ recognises the rights of potential participants in community research projects, from privacy and confidentiality to protection from all forms of harm. To ensure safeguards are in place, all projects advertised by AQ are required to:
Ascertain current ethical clearance from a Human Research Ethics Committee and return clearance with your application.
Approved applications are subject to an advertisement fee. Fee amount subject to change without notice (please contact us for updated fee information).
Upon successful application and receipt of payment the project will be promoted across the AQ website, socials, and newsletter where possible and suitable (at our discretion and subject to removal at any time where required or necessary).
