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La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre will receive $11.1 million over three years to establish the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub, as part of the Australian Government’s National Autism Strategy.
This funding will strengthen Autism research and evidence to improve real-world policy, supports and services for Autistic people, their families and carers. The Hub will bring together researchers and the Autism community to coordinate a national approach to transforming Autism research into practical tools.
La Trobe University will contribute an additional $3.8 million to the Hub, taking the total investment to almost $15 million.
The Hub will:
Researchers will work in partnership with Autistic-led organisations and research institutes to produce findings that reflect the diversity of the Autism community. All Hub activities will be jointly led and co-designed by Autistic people to ensure research is shaped by lived experience.
First Nations Autistic people and carers of Autistic people will be represented through an advisory council that works with the Hub’s leadership and governance structures.
This will ensure culturally appropriate engagement, community control over data, and alignment of research priorities with the government’s efforts to Close the Gap.
Work to establish the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub is expected to begin in July 2026. This funding is part of a series of grants under the Australian Government’s National Autism Strategy 2025–2031.
