General information
In addition to the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package, the Government has established six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has responsibility for the broader commitment to establish Early Learning and Care Centres in 38 priority locations.
The Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres provide early learning programs and specific support for children aged zero to six years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a long day care setting. They also provide parents with support in the care of their children and give them the opportunity to participate more fully in the community. Through their affiliations with universities or hospitals, the centres have a research and workforce training component which will help achieve a better understanding of ASD and increase workforce capacity.
An Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre has been established in each of the following locations:
- South Western Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- North West Tasmania
- Melbourne, and
- Perth.
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The service providers of the six centres are:
Melbourne - The La Trobe University Margot Prior Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
La Trobe University in partnership with the Royal Children's Hospital extended the existing state-of-the-art La Trobe University Community Children's Centre to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. The centre opened in July 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Jenny Reynolds, Manager, Family and Children's Services, La Trobe University. Please contact Jenny Reynolds: j.reynolds@latrobe.edu.au by email or phone 0394792122.
Adelaide - The Daphne Street Child Care and Specialist Early Learning Centre
Anglicare SA Inc, in partnership with the Autism Association of South Australian and Flinders University, has refurbished Anglicare's existing child care centre in Prospect, Adelaide to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. This centre opened in June 2009. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Sarah Ferguson, Manager, Anglicare SA. Please contact the centre daphneadmin@anglicare-sa.org.au by email or phone 08 8269 8688.
South Western Sydney - The KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
KU Children's Services, in partnership with the Benevolent Society, Sydney South West Area Health Service and the University of New South Wales, established an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre on the same site as KU Children's Services' existing child care centre at Woodward Park, Liverpool. This centre opened in June 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Margaret Gorham, Program Manager, KU Children's Services Marcia Burgess ASELCC.
Please contact by email KU Marcia Burgess Autism: ku.marciaburgessautism@ku.com.au; or phone 0459 144 335.
Brisbane - The Queensland Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre - AEIOU for children with autism
AEIOU for children with autism, in partnership with Griffith University, has established an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre at Griffith University's Nathan Campus. This centre opened in February 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Debbie Burtenshaw, Education and Enrolment Coordinator AEIOU – for children with autism. Please contact by email Debbie Burtenshaw: debbie.burtenshaw@aeiou.org.au or phone (07) 3320 7915.
Perth - The Autism Association (WA) Jellybeans Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
The Autism Association of Western Australia (AAWA), in partnership with Jellybeans Child Care and the Curtin University of Technology, has refurbished an existing Jellybeans Child Care Centre in Warwick, Western Australia, to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. This centre opened in February 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Tasha Alach, Manager, WA ASELCC project, Autism Association of Western Australia. Please contact by email Tasha Alach: tashaa@autism.org.au or phone (08) 9489 8900.
Tasmania - The Alexander Beetle House Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
The Burnie City Council has expanded the Alexander Beetle House Children's Centre to accommodate the new centre's main campus. The centre is also providing satellite services across the North West region of Tasmania. It has been operational since June 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Kathryn Fordyce: ASELCC@burnie.net by email or phone (03) 6430 5779.
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More information
For more information regarding the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres:
- phone 1800 778 581
- 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.
Questions and Answers regarding the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres are available on this website.
For information on the Early Learning and Care Centres, visit the Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care Centres website.