Terms of reference

Objectives

The objective of the AARC is to provide a regular and organised mechanism to:

  • consult on the state of autism research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand;
  • identify priorities for autism research in an Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand context;
  • report on priorities for autism research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand;
  • inform funding strategies for autism research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

AARC activities are to be community-led and community-informed – by autistic individuals, their families/carers and allies who provide services and support – for the benefit of those communities and the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealander community as a whole.

Membership

The AARC will have no less than 10 and no more than 15 members. Members must be aged 18 or over and reside in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.

The AARC membership is intended to be representative of the key stakeholder communities. Subject to there being suitable nominees to fill the positions, AARC membership should include at least:

  • 2 members from Australia
  • 2 members from Aotearoa New Zealand
  • 3 autistic individuals;
  • 1 nominee of the Autism CRC Board;
  • 1 parent or carer of a an autistic person;
  • 1 representative of an autistic or autism community advocacy organisation;
  • 1 representative of a service organisation to the autistic community;
  • 1 representative of the Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand autism research community;
  • 1 representative of each of an Australian Commonwealth government and Aotearoa New Zealand national government department or agency delivering services to members of the autistic community, preferably with a broad portfolio view, e.g. disability, education and health.

If there are not suitable nominees for a position, that position may remain vacant until at least the next period of member nominations.

The membership term will be three years, commencing from 1 January in the first of these years. A member may be re-appointed to the AARC for a further term, subject to the member guidelines below.

Auspicing and Administration

The AARC will operate under the auspices of Autism CRC.

Autism CRC will provide management and operational support, including the services of a Secretary to the AARC.

Co-Chairs

The members of the AARC will appoint two of its members as Co-Chairs on an annual basis at the first meeting of each calendar year. Should a Co-Chair position become vacant before the next annual appointment process, the AARC shall appoint one of its members to that position. All such appointments are subject to the ratification of the Autism CRC Board.

At least one of the Co-Chairs is to be autistic, and at least one will be an existing member who has served at least 12 months on the AARC.

Member guidelines

In undertaking AARC activities, members are to demonstrate:

  1. Mutual respect
  2. A desire to reach consensus
  3. Effective two-way communications with other AARC members.

Membership years shall run from 1 January to 31 December.

At least one-third of the membership positions on the AARC are to be called for nomination each year. This includes the positions of all members whose current membership term is due to expire at the end of that year. These members can renominate, however at least half of the positions called for nomination should be filled by new members.

Nominations will be called for by the end of October each year.

The AARC will establish a process for calling for new members, including targeted stakeholder representation, selection and appointment. The Board of Autism CRC has the right of refusal over the proposed appointment of a member of the AARC.

An invitation to membership of the AARC is made to persons on an individual basis, not to an organisation.

Members cannot nominate a proxy to attend meetings on their behalf.

A member may:

  1. resign from the AARC by notifying the Co-Chairs of the AARC in writing; or
  2. may be removed from the AARC if that member is deemed to be impeding the achievement of any of the AARC objective or not participating in AARC activities for an extended period, creating a casual vacancy. A decision to remove a member requires the support of all other AARC members or a resolution of the Autism CRC Board.

Other than for the position of the AARC member nominated by the Autism CRC Board, the AARC may invite an individual to fill a casual vacancy.

Voting

Quorum for an AARC meeting is a majority of the full membership of the AARC.

Council Meeting Protocol

The Council will implement a meeting protocol that maximises the opportunity for members to participate. The protocol will ensure contributions to meetings can be made both through real-time participation in an AARC meeting and/or in writing within a timeframe specified by the Co-Chairs which might extend beyond the time of the meeting. Meetings may be held in person or online.

Council discussions are deemed confidential in nature.

AARC meetings will take place at least three times each year, up to a maximum of eight times. Members may also be invited to optional meetings relevant to any project work being undertaken Document control Issue: Version 5 Next Review: October 2025 Approved: October 2024 on behalf of the AARC. Matters may also be considered out of session via electronic means (e.g., email or online polls).

Any publication of AARC outputs and external communications are to be agreed by the AARC, and approved by Autism CRC, in advance of their release.

Reporting

The AARC shall publish a report or update on its activities before the end of each membership year. The publication should include information on AARC activities and their findings consistent with the AARC objective. The annual report on AARC activities requires the approval of at least 75% of the full membership of the AARC before submission to Autism CRC.

Reports generated by the AARC are to be published by Autism CRC. Autism CRC’s publication guidelines shall apply to all AARC reports.

Autism CRC Board may refuse publication if it believes the publication is inconsistent with the AARC objective or the vision and mission of Autism CRC. In such circumstances, Autism CRC will return the proposed publication to the AARC for further consideration and revision.

Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually by the AARC, in time for their inclusion with the call for nominations for membership of the AARC for the following year. Any revisions will be submitted for approval to the Board of Autism CRC.