The $15 million Australian Autism Knowledge Hub, based at La Trobe’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), will address the gap between research and real-world support for Autistic people and their families.
The Hub will receive $11.1 million over three years from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, while La Trobe will contribute an additional $3.8 million.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the Hub builds on the long-standing commitment of the University and OTARC to work closely with the Autistic community, to ensure lived experience is at the heart of research priorities and outcomes.
“This initiative positions Australia as a global leader in translating autism research into real-world outcomes, demonstrating how genuine partnership with the community can drive lasting and meaningful change,” Professor Farrell said.
The Australian Autism Knowledge Hub is designed to translate existing autism research into clear guidance for those who design and deliver supports. It will highlight what works, identify gaps in knowledge and commission new research where needed to support more consistent, evidence-based practice.
The Hub will work in partnership with communities and organisations across Australia, with all National Autism Strategy priority cohorts represented through an advisory council that works closely with the Hub’s leadership.
This includes collaboration with La Trobe’s Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre, supporting approaches that are culturally informed and responsive to the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Autistic people and their families.
The Hub will also partner with La Trobe’s Australian Centre for Sex, Health and Society to ensure autism research better reflects intersectional experiences, including those of Autistic LGBTQIA+ communities.
Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, announced funding for the Hub on 25 June.
“Establishing the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub at La Trobe University is a key step towards better outcomes for Autistic people in Australia,” Senator McAllister said.
OTARC Director Professor Alison Lane said the Hub allowed La Trobe’s work to progress to a whole new level, “really understanding what research needs to be done, which of that research is of highest priority to the community and making sense of it for the people who need to use it”.
The Hub will connect research, community and practice in an integrated way, ensuring high-quality research is not only produced but actively used in real-world settings.
“We want to make it easier for Autistic people and their families to find out what works, quickly and without having to navigate multiple systems or trial-and-error approaches,” Professor Lane said.
“At the same time, we aim to narrow the distance between research and practice so evidence-based supports can be adopted more rapidly across the community.”
Hub Director Professor Dawn Adams said the initiative addressed a long-standing gap between research and impact.
“Every year there are hundreds of autism research articles published in Australia, but they’re not creating enough real-world change,” Professor Adams said.
“The Hub has been designed to shift that, to create meaningful change in the lives of Autistic people across Australia.”
Hub Deputy Director Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro said embedding Autistic leadership was central to the initiative.
“This Hub is built on the principle that Autistic people drive and lead this work, not just participate in it. That means being involved from the very beginning, shaping the questions, through to how findings are used in real-world services and policy.”
Find out more about the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub at www.latrobe.edu.au/otarc/projects/aakh
