Profound Autism Symposium 2025
17-18 November 2025 | In-Person or Livestream
Australia’s first-ever national event focused solely on profound autism
The Profound Autism Symposium 2025 is a landmark event, placing the voices of families and needs of people with profound autism on the national stage for the very first time.
Join us on 17 and 18 November in person at the State Library of NSW or via Livestream, as we convene world-class expertise, lived experience voices, and practical solution-building in a mix of presentation and discussion panels. Whether you are a parent or caregiver, a family member, clinician, educator, service provider, or policymaker, we invite you to be part of this history-making event designed to put profound autism back on the national agenda.
Speakers
Program
Ticket Info
FAQS
Sponsors
As a parent of children with profound autism, I know the daily reality families live — and how too often it’s overlooked. Profound autism isn’t a side note; it shapes every part of life. This Symposium is our chance to share those truths, push for recognition, and demand the dignity and support our loved ones deserve.
Kathrine Peereboom
Speakers
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Our Sponsors
The inaugural Profound Autism Symposium is made possible with the support of our founding sponsors. Their leadership ensures that families and professionals have access to the expertise, tools, and community they deserve.
Founded by NRL legend Ricky Stuart, the Foundation works to improve the lives of people with disability and their families through advocacy, awareness, and practical support initiatives.
A national grassroots organisation giving voice to the autism community. A4 advocates for recognition, inclusion, and better services for autistic people and their families across Australia.
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Australia’s largest online platform connecting people with disability and aged care support. Mable empowers families to find flexible, tailored support while creating meaningful work for independent support workers.
Ticket Info
No matter your role or circumstances, there’s a ticket option to suit you. Parents and carers, as well as professionals, can choose to attend in-person at the State Library of NSW or join via livestream from anywhere.
Flexible options are available for the Parent/Carer 2 day ticket, that allows family members to share attendance across both days under one ticket.
All in-person tickets for 17 November also include entry to the evening networking event. All tickets, both in-person and livestream, include 6 months’ on-demand access to session recordings after the event.
Parent/Carer In-person tickets include:
- 2 day tickets offer a flexible option, allowing family members to share attendance across both days in one ticket
- Access to all sessions scheduled for the day in the Library Auditorium
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- The 2 day tickets or a 1 day ticket on 17 November, includes the evening networking event
- Opportunity to participate in Q&A
- Free 6 months’ access to recordings of all sessions for your ticketed day/s
- Share your experiences and connect with other families
- Hear from a wide range of experts on a variety of relevant topics
Parent/Carer Livestream tickets include:
- Online access to all sessions scheduled for your ticketed day/s
- Free 6 months’ access to recordings of all sessions for your ticketed day/s
- Opportunity to participate in Q&A
Professional In-person tickets include:
- Access to all sessions scheduled for the day in the Library Auditorium
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- The 2 day tickets or a 1 day ticket on 17 November, includes the evening networking event
- Opportunity to participate in Q&A
- Access to our network of professionals
- Free 6 months’ access to recordings of all sessions for your ticketed day/s
- Certificate of attendance
Professional Livestream tickets include:
- Online access to all sessions scheduled for your ticketed day/s
- Free 6 months’ access to recordings of all sessions for your ticketed day/s
- Certificate of attendance
Networking event ticket includes:
- Admission to our evening networking event at the Library Bar on 17 November, from 5pm
- Opportunity to mingle, network and connect with other attendees
Program Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Profound autism refers to autistic people with the most complex, lifelong support needs. Many are non-speaking or minimally verbal, and many live with intellectual disability. Most require intensive support across every part of their lives.
This symposium is for anyone committed to improving the lives of profoundly autistic people and their families:
- Families and carers: seeking recognition, community, and practical support.
- Professionals: clinicians, educators, allied health, and service providers, looking for evidence-based strategies and expertise.
- Policymakers, researchers, advocates, and media: seeking credible insights, alignment, and opportunities for impact.
Profound autism has been left out of national discussions for too long. This symposium, the first of its kind in Australia, will put the focus firmly on families and individuals with the highest support needs. It is evidence-based, practical, and grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Families and caregivers deserve a national platform. This event provides it.
Program details, including speakers and session topics, will be available soon on our website.
Please email nicole.hurley@autismawareness.com.au to discuss sponsorship.
Registration prices and policies
In-person tickets include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. In-person tickets for 17 November or the 2-day option also include the evening networking event at the Library Bar.
See the complete ticket inclusions here.
Parents/carers who purchase the 2-day in-person ticket can share it, allowing different family members to attend on each day.
Yes, you can choose to combine your attendance options. You can purchase an in-person ticket on your preferred date, and a livestream ticket for the other. You will then have access to all the session recordings.
Refunds are not available. To discuss a transfer, please email events@autismawareness.com.au.
Yes. Please contact events@autismawareness.com.au to arrange a change.
Yes. If you are purchasing 10 or more Professional tickets, please email events@autismawareness.com.au to discuss group rates.
An email with access details will be sent to all ticket holders in the weeks following the symposium. Access to recordings will be available for 6 months.
In-Person
The Symposium will be held at the State Library of NSW, in the Library Auditorium.
1 Shakespeare Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Registration opens at 8:30am each day.
There are numerous paid parking stations nearby. We recommended booking ahead or using public transport. You can find information here.
Train: Wynyard (8-10 min walk), Martin Place Station (2-3 min walk)
- Metro: Martin Place Station (2-3 min walk)
- Bus: Multiple routes stop along Macquarie Street or nearby Elizabeth Street
- Light Rail: Wynyard Light Rail Station (8-10 min walk)
Visit the state library website for more information: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/visit-us/getting-library
There are no cloakroom facilities at the event.
Yes. The State Library of NSW and the Library Auditorium are fully accessible. Visit the State Library website for information on accessibility https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library/access-inclusion/access-library
A quiet area will be available for attendees to watch sessions. During breaks, quiet spaces are accessible within the Library. Please email our team with any specific accessibiliy requests that we can provide to help improve your attendance experience.
The Profound Autism Symposium networking event will take place at the Library Bar, upstairs from the Auditorium, from 5pm on 17 November. Families and professionals are welcome to connect and relax. If you have purchased an in-person ticket for the 17 Nov or a 2-day in-person pass, the networking event is included in your ticket. You can purchase a ticket to the networking event separately via our ticketing site.
Yes. Please indicate your requirements during registration. For specific questions, email events@autismawareness.com.au.
Children are welcome to attend; however, this is an event designed for parents and professionals. There will be full days of speaker sessions and children will likely find it difficult to sit in the auditorium during these sessions. There are no child minding services.
Yes. free Wi-Fi is available at the State Library of NSW. See here for more details https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections/using-library/wi-fi
There is no formal dress code—please wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Yes. Photography and filming may take place for promotional and documentation purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please email events@autismawareness.com.au in advance or speak with the registration desk on the day.
Livestream
Instructions will be emailed in the week before the symposium.
Yes. Online participants can submit questions to speakers during sessions. Registration opens at 8:30am each day.
Professionals
Professional tickets include:
- A certificate of attendance
- Access to the networking event (in-person registrations)
- Practical, evidence-informed learning designed for real-world complexity
- Insights from international leaders and local experts who understand profound autism