Have your say on the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan
The current State Disability Plan and Victorian Autism Plan were extended to mid-2027. Now you can have your say on the next state disability and the next autism plan.
The Victorian Government wants to hear from:
- people with disability
- Autistic people
- families, carers and friends
- advocates and allies
- disabled people’s organisations
- community organisations
- local government.
The next plans will set out priorities and actions to make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible, and fair place for all.
The Victorian Government wants to hear from you about:
- what is working well and what could be improved
- priorities for the future
- ideas for the next plans.
The government will also work with the disability community to respond to national disability reforms. This includes changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the delivery of foundational supports such as Thriving Kids.
There are different ways you can take part. You can choose one or more of these options to have your say.
You can:
- take part in a face-to-face workshop or online forum
- take part in an online survey
- share feedback and ideas on Engage Victoria
- send us an email with a voice or video recording to disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au
- mail a picture, document or recording with your ideas to Office for Disability, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.
To take part in a workshop, forum, or online survey visit Engage Victoria for information.
If you need help to give feedback or would like to access information in a different format, please contact disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au. We can provide support or materials in a way that works best for you.
You will find translations and accessible formats (such as audio, Auslan video, Easy Read) that help to explain the consultation on Engage Victoria.
Consultation on the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will happen at the same time. This way, the new autism plan will line up with the new State Disability Plan.
Timeline
Consultation will close at 5pm, Friday 17 July 2026.
In 2027:
- The next four-year State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will be released.
- A final report on the current State Disability Plan will be released.
- A final report on the current Victorian Autism Plan will be released.
Date: 6 Nov 2023
Victorian autism plan
The original Victorian autism plan was published in 2019.
Summary and Easy read versions of the plan
Audio and Auslan versions of the plan
Language
In this plan we use the words ‘autistic people’ because most people in the autism community told us they prefer this term. This is in keeping with a broader trend towards using identity-first language. We acknowledge that many people still value person-first language such as ‘person with autism’.
We use the words ‘autism spectrum disorder' when talking about the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, we know that many autistic people and advocacy organisations do not use this term.
We also use the term ‘autism community' to mean autistic people, their families, carers and supporters, and autism-related organisations.
We use the word ‘Aboriginal' to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the terms ‘Aboriginal‘, ‘Indigenous' and ‘Koori(e)’ do not capture the diversity and complexity of Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. Our intent is always to use terms that are respectful, inclusive and accurate.
Minister’s foreword
The refreshed plan will continue to help us make our community more inclusive for autistic Victorians.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and waterways on which we live.
Treaty and Truth in Victoria
We acknowledge the impact of colonisation to this day and seek ways to rectify past wrongs, including through truth-telling and the development of Treaty.
Executive summary
This refresh is part of a commitment to review the plan at the midway point.
About the refreshed autism plan
The vision for the Victorian autism plan has not changed during the refresh. It is grounded in the same advice from autistic people and the Advisory Group that informed the original plan.
Inclusive Victoria’s policy framework
The refreshed plan has a strong and deliberate connection with Inclusive Victoria.
Actions
These new and refreshed actions reflect and more closely and align with the priorities outlined in Inclusive Victoria.
Evaluating outcomes
We have created an outcomes framework to evaluate the refreshed plan. It is based on Inclusive Victoria's framework of four pillars, 14 outcome areas and 22 priorities.
Key terms
Definitions of terms used in the Victorian autism plan: 2023 refresh.
Updated