Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres
General information
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) conducted an open selection process for applications from service providers for the establishment and operation of six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres as part of the Australian Government's commitment to establish 260 Early Learning and Care Centres across Australia.Applications closed on 26 September 2008. Assessment of applications is currently taking place.
Centres will be brought online as soon as possible with at least two expected to be operational before June 2009, and four in the 2009-10 financial year.
The Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres will provide early learning programs and specific support for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The centres will be accredited long day child care centres and will provide services based on best practice principles for working with children with ASDs. This initiative is in addition to the Australian Government's $190 million Helping Children with Autism package.
Funding is available for the establishment and operation of six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres in the following locations:
- South Western Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- North West Tasmania - building on Tasmanian capacity
- Melbourne, and
- Perth.
More information
For more information regarding the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres and the Helping Children with Autism package:- email asd@fahcsia.gov.au.
- phone 1800 289 177
- if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service to contact any of FaHCSIA's listed phone numbers.
For information relating to the selection process for service providers of the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres, email asdchildcare@fahcsia.gov.au.
For information on the 260 Early Learning and Care Centres, visit the Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care Centres website.