Autistic people and their families have lauded a bid to improve their lives as a "long-awaited" step, but warned more funding would be needed to support diagnosis.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth launched Australia's first national autism strategy and action plan on Tuesday, which focuses on improving social and economic inclusion, diagnosis and services, and health.
The strategy outlines 22 commitments, and the plan earmarks $42.3 million for a number of measures, including almost $3 million for identifying the prevalence of autism in Australia.
Heidi Brandis, who is neurodivergent and the mother of a young autistic adult, said the strategy was "long-awaited".
"(It is) a small but crucial first step in the right direction taken by the government, for the future of autistic Australians and their families and carers," she told AAP.
"It is incredible to finally see the government developing a neuro-affirming strategy in consultation with autistic people."
Ms Brandis said supporting the diagnosis journey for families will take substantially more than $455,000 over a year.
"The critical national shortage of developmental paediatricians, psychiatrists and allied health professionals has not been addressed and the goal of earlier diagnosis and intervention appears at odds with this," she said.
The autism community looked forward to receiving detailed information on how the 22 commitments would be adequately funded after the upcoming federal election, Ms Brandis added.
Sebastian Langdon-Macmillan, a young autistic person who helped develop the strategy, said he was very optimistic the plan would help a generation of youth moving into study and the workplace.
"Too often, there are these negative stereotypes which really harm autistic people," he said.
"What it means for me is a future in which our society can really accept autistic people and really view autistic people as an asset."
Mr Langdon-Macmillan said he had already seen a positive shift in how government departments work with, and include autistic people.
The strategy will inform the federal government's policy approach and will be in place between 2025 to 2031.
