$7.8 million for learning centres for children with autism

The Turnbull Government has guaranteed that children with autism will continue to receive intensive support through specialised learning centres.

The Turnbull Government has committed $7.8 million to ensure six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres remain open until 30 June 2020.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the Government recognised the important role early intervention played in the lives of young children with autism as well as their parents.

“The targeted learning and care delivered at these centres gives special needs children a good start to the first six years of life and contributes to positive long-term outcomes,” Mr Tehan said.

“The centres also provide parents with resources to care for their children and the opportunity to meet other parents in a similar situation and participate more in the community.

“The funding will allow the centres to develop and adapt their business models to sustainably operate within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as well as enabling parents to prepare for the NDIS.”

KU Children’s Services Acting CEO Karen Dawson said: “The continuation of Australian Government funding to this award winning centre of early intervention research excellence will enable us to continue to support families with children with autism so that they can access high quality education and care, and achieve positive long-term outcomes.”

The centres are located in Melbourne, Adelaide, South Western Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Tasmania.

More than 460,000 Australians will benefit from the NDIS when it is fully operational.