Grants to support the delivery of safe, inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming peer support programs that reduce social isolation, enhance wellbeing and foster community participation across Australia.
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What is the National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections (NAS-ISC)?
The National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections Grant Opportunity is a targeted Australian Government funding initiative designed to strengthen peer support programs that help Autistic people build and maintain meaningful social connections.
Delivered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, this grant forms part of the National Autism Strategy 2025–2031, Australia’s first dedicated national framework focused on improving life outcomes for Autistic people, their families, carers and communities.
This opportunity supports the delivery of safe, inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming peer support programs that reduce social isolation, enhance wellbeing and foster community participation across Australia.
Important: This is a targeted, invitation-only grant opportunity. Only organisations that have received a formal invitation from the Department are eligible to apply.
National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections level of support
Funding amount:
- Total funding available: $19,383,333
- Minimum grant amount: Not specified
- Maximum grant amount: No maximum per applicant, however funding cannot exceed the total available pool
- Funding is subject to annual indexation.
Co-contribution:
- No mandatory co-contribution is specified.
National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections important dates
- Closing Date & Time: 6 February 2026 at 2:00pm (ACT local time)
- Expected Start Date: June 2026
- Grant End Date: 30 June 2029
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections objectives
The Improving Social Connections grant opportunity aims to:
- Reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing for Autistic people
- Strengthen inclusive communities through peer-led social connection programs
- Embed lived experience and Autistic leadership in program design, delivery and evaluation
- Support consistent, high-quality peer support through national coordination and capacity building
- Align with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 and Closing the Gap Target 14 (social and emotional wellbeing)
Projects and expenditure eligible for National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections support
Eligible Projects
Funded activities must support the delivery of peer support programs that improve social connection for Autistic people.
Eligible activities include:
- Peer-led social connection groups and programs
- Co-design and community consultation activities
- Development of a nationally consistent Improving Social Connections Framework
- National coordination and capacity-building activities
- Establishment of a Self-Service Information Hub (tools, resources, micro-training videos)
- Training and professional development for peer facilitators
- Partnerships with local and community organisations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations
- Monitoring, evaluation and data collection aligned with the National Autism Strategy
Ineligible Expenditure
Grant funding cannot be used for:
- Purchase of land
- Major capital works or construction
- Retrospective costs
- Costs associated with preparing the grant application
- Overseas travel
- General organisational overheads (e.g. electricity, rent, phone)
- Activities already funded by another government program
- Activities that form part of an organisation’s legal obligations
Other National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections support
Only the following invited organisations are eligible to apply:
- AMAZE Incorporated
- Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
- Autism Association of Australia Ltd
- I CAN Network Ltd
- Reframing Autism Ltd
Organisations must:
- Have received a formal invitation to apply
- Not be subject to any NDIS banning orders
- Meet Workplace Gender Equality and National Redress Scheme requirements
- Comply with the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023
Applications from non-invited organisations will not be considered.
National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections assessment criteria
All applications are assessed competitively against three equally weighted criteria.
Each criterion is scored out of 5, for a total possible score of 15.
Applications must score average or above against all criteria to be considered for funding.
Assessment Criterion 1: Alignment with Grant Objectives and Outcomes
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with the objectives of the Improving Social Connections grant
- How proposed activities support social inclusion, wellbeing and peer connection
- Strong co-design approaches involving Autistic people and Autistic-led organisations
- Meaningful inclusion of lived experience in leadership, governance and decision-making
- Alignment with the guiding principles of the National Autism Strategy
- Contribution to Closing the Gap Target 14
- Robust evaluation methods, including participant feedback and continuous improvement
Assessment Criterion 2: Organisational Capacity and Capability
Applicants must show:
- Proven experience delivering similar national or large-scale programs
- Capability to act as a backbone organisation for national coordination
- Strong governance, risk management and safeguarding frameworks
- Established partnerships with community organisations
- Clear delivery methodology, milestones and risk mitigation strategies
A Risk Management Plan must be submitted using the provided template.
Assessment Criterion 3: Efficient and Economical Use of Grant Funds
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong value for money over the four-year funding period
- Clear and transparent budget allocation
- Cost-effective delivery of high-quality outcomes
- Ethical management of public funds
- Financial sustainability and accountability
An Indicative Activity Budget must be submitted.
How do I get the National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections support?
To successfully secure funding under this opportunity, applicants must clearly demonstrate:
- Formal invitation to apply and eligibility compliance
- Strong national coordination capability
- Genuine Autistic leadership and lived-experience involvement
- Evidence-based, peer-led program design
- Robust governance, safeguarding and compliance systems
- Strong partnerships with community and Autistic-led organisations
- Clear evaluation, reporting and continuous improvement frameworks
- Efficient, ethical and transparent use of public funds
Information to prepare for the National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections support
Invited applicants should prepare:
- Completed GrantConnect application form
- Proof of entity type
- Bank verification documentation
- Indicative Activity Budget
- Risk Management Plan
- Details of governance, safeguarding and compliance systems
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections support
Applications must be submitted via GrantConnect.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
National Autism Strategy: Improving Social Connections resources
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