Autism CRC

What Autism CRC does

Autism CRC Ltd is an Australian not-for-profit cooperative research organization, established in March 2013 as the world's first national cooperative research effort focused on autism across the lifespan and the spectrum. Headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, the organization operates on a member-based model drawing together universities (Curtin, Griffith, QUT, University of Queensland, La Trobe, Macquarie, University of Southern Queensland, University of Wollongong, Victoria University of Wellington), research institutes (Mater Research, The Kids Research Institute), autism service providers (Autism Spectrum Australia/Aspect, Autism New Zealand), and industry partner F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Its core output is evidence-based national guidelines, frameworks, and practice resources — including NHMRC-approved National Guidelines for autism assessment/diagnosis and supporting autistic children, a National Framework for assessing functional strengths, and the National Guidance for inclusive education — distributed primarily through the Best Practice Portal and Knowledge Centre. Supporting programs include the Sylvia Rodger Academy (with Research, Future Leaders, Governance, and Autistic Identity and Connection Programs producing 160+ autistic graduates), the Australian Autism Biobank, employment support tools (myWAY Employability, Integrated Employment Success Tool, Self-Advocacy@Work), educator resources (inclusionED), and the Secret Agent Society program.

The organization's distinctive methodology is co-produced research — engaging autistic people as research co-producers across the full lifecycle from problem definition to knowledge translation — rather than treating them solely as study subjects. Revenue is generated almost entirely through government grants (including AUD $2 million from the Albanese government for National Autism Strategy development), commissioned reports (notably for the National Disability Insurance Agency), membership contributions, and project-specific corporate partnerships such as the Mastercard Inclusion Hub initiative launched in February 2026. Following the end of the federal Cooperative Research Centre Program, the organization transitioned to post-CRC operations on 1 July 2022 with new company membership while retaining its collaborative research model. The entity is governed by an independent board of directors chaired by Professor Robert van Barneveld, with CEO Andrew Davis and CFO/Company Secretary Andrew Borneman leading day-to-day operations.

Name

Autism CRC

Legal name

Autism CRC Ltd

Website

https://autismcrc.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Autism CRC is an Australian not-for-profit cooperative research organization, established in 2013, that develops NHMRC-approved national guidelines, evidence-based frameworks, and research-translation programs for autistic people across the lifespan, serving government, educators, clinicians, researchers, and the autistic community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Research and Evidence-Based Guidelines

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Diagnostic & Educational Assessment Services (EDAKAKAA), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)

Keywords

• Autism research services
• Clinical practice guidelines
• Inclusive education programs
• Research evidence synthesis
• Autism professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Southport

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: Autism CRC receives federal government funding for specific research projects and initiatives, including $2 million for developing the National Autism Strategy and related autism research programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Autism CRC is a not-for-profit cooperative research organization that produces NHMRC-approved national guidelines for autism assessment, diagnosis, and support; develops evidence-based resources, tools, and frameworks for educators, clinicians, and employers; and delivers training programs for autistic adults through the Sylvia Rodger Academy. Its core outputs include the Best Practice Portal and Knowledge Centre for guideline and resource distribution, the Australian Autism Biobank for research data, and cooperative research programs involving autistic people as co-producers.

Product overview

Autism CRC operates as a research organization providing a portfolio of evidence-based guidelines, tools, educational resources, and programs focused on improving outcomes for autistic people across the lifespan. The core offerings include the Best Practice Portal, which serves as a central gateway to resources; National Guidelines for autism assessment, diagnosis, and supporting autistic children; the National Guidance for inclusive education; and the National Framework for assessing children's functional strengths. Additional key products include employment-focused tools (myWAY Employability, Integrated Employment Success Tool, Self-Advocacy@Work), educator resources (inclusionED), the Knowledge Centre for publications, and the Participatory and Inclusive Autism Research Practice Guides. The Sylvia Rodger Academy delivers training programs including Research, Future Leaders, Governance, and Autistic Identity and Connection Programs. Supporting initiatives include the Australian Autism Biobank, Secret Agent Society, and Research Co-Production Partner Initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Best Practice Portal Online gateway providing access to evidence-based resources, national guidelines, and best practice materials for autism support across education, healthcare, and employment.
• National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism NHMRC-approved second edition guideline providing clear and consistent Recommendations and Good Practice Points for practitioners who conduct autism assessments in Australia.
• National Guideline for Supporting the Learning, Participation, and Wellbeing of Autistic Children Evidence-based guideline providing clear Recommendations and Practice Points for practitioners who deliver supports to autistic children and their families, ensuring supports are effective, safe, and desirable.
• National Guidance for Best Practice in Inclusive Education Evidence-informed foundation for transforming school cultures and practices so autistic students experience safety, belonging, engagement, and success.
• National Framework for Assessing Children's Functional Strengths and Support Needs Provides a consistent, evidence-based, and culturally responsive approach for assessing, differentiating, and reporting children's functional strengths and support needs for professionals working with children aged 0-12 years.
• Knowledge Centre Single online gateway to autism resources, tools, and publications for researchers, practitioners, and families.
• Integrated Employment Success Tool (IEST) Evidence-based guide for employers of autistic adults to support successful workplace inclusion.
• myWAY Employability Online platform helping autistic young people take control of their future and prepare for working life.
• Self-Advocacy@Work Website designed to equip and empower autistic people to self-advocate for themselves in the workplace, developed by autistic people for autistic people.
• inclusionED Online professional learning community for educators, co-designed with educators, focused on supporting diverse learners.
• Sylvia Rodger Academy Academy providing programs, pathways, and networks for autistic adults to contribute to and influence policy, practice, and culture. Includes Research Program (2015), Future Leaders Program (2018), Governance Program (2019, world's first national corporate governance training for autistic adults), and Autistic Identity and Connection Program (2023).
• Australian Autism Biobank National research initiative collecting biological samples and genetic and clinical data from autistic individuals for autism research purposes, governed in compliance with NHMRC guidelines.
• Secret Agent Society Program helping autistic children navigate emotions and develop social skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 160 autistic graduates from leadership and research programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MastercardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Mastercard co-designed the Inclusion Hub initiative with Autism CRC, featuring 25 practical measures for businesses to create inclusive environments for autistic people. The initiative includes Sensory Notes restaurant menus piloted at Australian Open and Melbourne venues, quiet hours, staff training, and sensory-friendly sessions.
• Autism New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization providing international perspective and collaboration on autism research and policy.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember university contributing to autism research, home of the Curtin Autism Research Group (CARG) and co-production partner.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember university contributing researchers to Autism CRC programs including the Research Academy.
• Mater Research LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember research institute contributing to autism research programs.
• Queensland University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember university contributing research expertise to Autism CRC collaborative programs.
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Roche)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company member providing industry perspective and potential research collaboration on autism interventions.
• The Kids Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember research institute contributing to autism research programs.
• The University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember university contributing significant research expertise and hosting events including the Sylvia Rodger Academy launch.
• Victoria University of WellingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational member university from New Zealand contributing to the cooperative research network.
• La Trobe UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember university contributing to autism research through programs including the National Guideline development.
• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor autism service provider and co-production partner. Major sponsor of Future Leaders Program. Embeds co-production into research policy and procedures.
• Macquarie UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-production partner with strong focus on collaboration and cognitive science, helping autistic people lead flourishing lives through research with public engagement.
• University of Southern QueenslandcoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-production partner with community-centred research focus. Developed A-Skills peer-support program for autistic students through participatory framework.
• University of WollongongcoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-production partner with Autism Community of Practice bringing together autistic community, family members, service providers and educators to guide research initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism: Queensland-based autism-specific early intervention provider with which Autism CRC shares governance ties (founding Director Scott Reading served AEIOU). Comparable as an Australian autism education and support organization working with families and educators.
• Autism New Zealand: National autism organization in New Zealand and a listed Autism CRC member partner. Operates as a policy, advocacy, and information hub with comparable mission and bi-national collaboration profile.
• Autism Research Institute: Long-standing US nonprofit funding and publishing biomedical and behavioral autism research. Compares with Autism CRC on the research-funding, evidence-translation, and biobank-adjacent dimensions of its work.
• Amaze (Autism Victoria): Victoria's peak autism body providing information, advocacy, and training for autistic people, families, and educators. Comparable to Autism CRC in providing autism-specific education, training, and resource distribution at a state level within Australia.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): US-based nonprofit that funds applied autism research and translates findings into practical resources for families, educators, and professionals. Direct functional peer to Autism CRC in evidence-synthesis and community-facing resource production.
• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect): Australia's largest autism-specific service provider and Autism CRC's co-production partner. Aspect delivers education, therapy, and employment services nationally while also shaping research policy — directly comparable in mission and Australian footprint to Autism CRC.
• Autism Awareness Australia: National Australian autism advocacy and awareness organization running community programs, training, and policy campaigns for autistic Australians. Highly comparable to Autism CRC in Australian scale and mission, though more advocacy- than research-focused.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Largest US-based autism advocacy and research funding organization with global brand and significantly greater resources. Comparable in mission (autism research, advocacy, and resource dissemination) but at much broader scale and from a different geographic base.
• National Autistic Society (UK): UK's leading autism charity providing information, training, and policy advice at national scale. Comparable in community-resource, education, and policy roles to Autism CRC's mandate, though operating from a different geography.

Regional players

• Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (La Trobe University): Australian autism research centre hosted at a La Trobe University (an Autism CRC member), focused on early detection, diagnosis, and translational research. Highly comparable as an Australian academic autism research centre collaborating within the same ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/autismcrc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autism CRC