Focus Area 4: Staged actions - from 2026 to 2029
Commitment 1: Develop a centralised state information system to support access and navigation of available supports and services.
Target
Ensure resources and information about supports and services are updated, easily accessible and autism inclusive.
Action
Develop a resource hub that supports knowledge, understanding, and awareness of autism and a centralised location for relevant information.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026
Commitment 2: Improve the knowledge and understanding of autism amongst professional staff.
Target
Involve the Autistic and autism community in feedback processes to inform the direction of supports and services.
Action
In consultation with Office for Autism, develop and implement a reporting process within the Ombudsman SA complaints management system to identify areas for improving accessibility.
Lead: Ombudsman SA (Attorney-General’s Department)
Target Date: 2026
Target
Provide Autism Awareness and Understanding training to front-line workers to effectively support Autistic people accessing services.
Action
Deliver Autism Awareness and Understanding training to staff working with Autistic children in out-of-home care and their parents and caregivers.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026
Target
Involve the Autistic and autism community in feedback processes to inform the direction of supports and services.
Action
In collaboration with Office for Autism, develop and promote information about working with the Autistic and autism community during induction training, processes and onboarding.
Lead: Department for Education and Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026
Commitment 3: Work with organisations to ensure evidence and research on autism can be effectively and efficiently translated into practice.
Target
Embed autism inclusion into programs, supports and services.
Action
Review digital training project to incorporate current best practice knowledge on autism and to support understanding and inclusion.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026
Target
Collaborate with subject matter experts when developing and implementing supports and services for Autistic people.
Action
Conduct a review of the Companion Card program in consultation with other states and territories offering the Card, medical professionals, and lived experience groups including the Autistic and autism communities.
Lead: Department of Human Services
Target Date: 2026
Action
Deliver the Australian Government-funded Inklings Project in South Australia.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2027
Commitment 4: Ensure neurodiversity-affirming and culturally appropriate services and supports are available.
Target
Improve existing services to ensure they are streamlined, effective and efficient to meet the individual needs of Autistic people.
Action
Review and implement opportunities to develop and embed standardised contractual requirements for Department of Human Services-funded services regarding autism inclusion into relevant future contracts and monitor through contract management processes.
Lead: Department of Human Services
Target Date: 2026
Action
Implement a disability consultant to provide professional support and mentoring to family service practitioners with assessment, case coordination and system navigation for Department of Human Services clients who are Autistic and/or have other disability.
Lead: Department of Human Services
Target Date: 2026
Target
Develop culturally specific supports for those who are accessing services and supports.
Action
Explore partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to co-design culturally specific supports for people with disability, including Autistic people.
Lead: Department of Human Services
Target Date: 2029