Eliminate the appalling 34% autistic unemployment rate in Australia
The issue
Autistic Australians face a staggering 34% unemployment rate - eight times the national average! Unfortunately, this is because of the many barriers autistic people encounter when seeking and maintaining employment.
It shouldn’t be this way. At Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit social enterprises, we want to change this narrative. Neurodivergent people (e.g. autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more) are the ‘world’s biggest minority group’ at 20% of the population. That’s 5.6 million Australians and 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Yet, many of these talented people are shut out of the workforce due to archaic and outdated recruitment and workplace practices. Autistic people face major barriers to employment, with many about to lose their NDIS support. Also, 40% of dyslexic people are underemployed, and people with ADHD are 10% less likely to have a job.
We want all businesses and governments to implement neuroinclusive hiring and workplace practices that bring out the best for everyone. Join us in urging the government and employers to view neurodiversity as a strength. By doing so, we not only provide meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent Australians but also benefit from their unique perspectives and problem-solving abilities, driving innovation and growth.
This is not just one of Australia’s biggest social issues. It’s also an economic one. Australia could add $43 billion to the economy every year if the autistic unemployment rate was reduced by just one-third!
Sign this petition to demand action to eliminate the 34% autistic unemployment rate and create an inclusive job market for everyone.
"Not making minor accommodations for a neurodivergent person is like not installing a ramp for someone in a wheelchair. Please help make ASA obsolete so we can put ourselves out of business when neurodiversity in the workplace happens everywhere. "
Geoffrey Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Spatial Analytics and the 2025 Queensland Australian of the Year.
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The issue
Autistic Australians face a staggering 34% unemployment rate - eight times the national average! Unfortunately, this is because of the many barriers autistic people encounter when seeking and maintaining employment.
It shouldn’t be this way. At Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit social enterprises, we want to change this narrative. Neurodivergent people (e.g. autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more) are the ‘world’s biggest minority group’ at 20% of the population. That’s 5.6 million Australians and 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Yet, many of these talented people are shut out of the workforce due to archaic and outdated recruitment and workplace practices. Autistic people face major barriers to employment, with many about to lose their NDIS support. Also, 40% of dyslexic people are underemployed, and people with ADHD are 10% less likely to have a job.
We want all businesses and governments to implement neuroinclusive hiring and workplace practices that bring out the best for everyone. Join us in urging the government and employers to view neurodiversity as a strength. By doing so, we not only provide meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent Australians but also benefit from their unique perspectives and problem-solving abilities, driving innovation and growth.
This is not just one of Australia’s biggest social issues. It’s also an economic one. Australia could add $43 billion to the economy every year if the autistic unemployment rate was reduced by just one-third!
Sign this petition to demand action to eliminate the 34% autistic unemployment rate and create an inclusive job market for everyone.
"Not making minor accommodations for a neurodivergent person is like not installing a ramp for someone in a wheelchair. Please help make ASA obsolete so we can put ourselves out of business when neurodiversity in the workplace happens everywhere. "
Geoffrey Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Spatial Analytics and the 2025 Queensland Australian of the Year.
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Petition created on 29 September 2026