List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.119

The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide long-term funding for the national FASD case register and develop a multi-year strategy and budget for data collection and related research activities.

Recommendation 2

2.120

The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund a FASD Prevalence Study to determine the national prevalence of FASD cases, including both known cases and those considered ‘at risk’ of FASD in the Australian population.

Recommendation 3

2.122

The committee recommends that the Australian Government in consultation with State and Territory Governments implement mandatory reporting on standardised data for maternal alcohol consumption in the Perinatal National Minimum Data Set.

Recommendation 4

2.125

The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund an independent study into the social and economic cost of FASD in Australia.

Recommendation 5

3.145

The committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a broader strategy and budget for a national public education campaign over the life of the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) strategic action plan 2018–2028.

Recommendation 6

3.147

The committee recommends that the Department of Health fund the development of FASD education resources to be used in secondary school curriculums.

Recommendation 7

3.149

The committee recommends that the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy care are updated as a matter of priority to ensure consistency with the 2020 Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol.

Recommendation 8

3.151

The committee recommends that the medical profession, including the various medical colleges, acknowledge the critical role they play in education and awareness-raising of the dangers of consumption of alcohol for both women and men, particularly as it relates to consumption in relation to pregnancy.

Recommendation 9

3.154

The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide funding for professional development training for all health professionals involved in antenatal care, in order to embed routine FASD screening practices and tools, including AUDIT-C.

Recommendation 10

3.156

The committee recommends that the Australian Government implement as a matter of priority marketing, pricing and taxation reforms as set out in the National alcohol strategy 2019–2028.

Recommendation 11

3.158

The committee recommends that the Australian Government run a specific public education campaign with respect to the roll-out of mandatory pregnancy warning labels.

Recommendation 12

3.162

The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund a National Prevention Strategy to be developed and delivered in collaboration with State and Territory Governments.

Recommendation 13

4.114

The committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake a national audit of current FASD diagnostic services and funding to identify priority areas and inform a longer-term and sustainable funding model.

Recommendation 14

4.116

The committee recommends that the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce recommends including MBS Items that cover the range of clinical practices involved in FASD assessments, diagnoses and treatments.

Recommendation 15

4.119

The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund:

an evaluation of tiered models of assessment and use of technology to improve accessibility to diagnostic services, including in rural and remote communities; and

the implementation of a trial for a model of tiered FASD assessment utilising primary health care services.

Recommendation 16

4.121

The committee recommends that the Australian Government allocate funding for FASD diagnostic training, including:

for the expansion of the delivery of practical training courses provided by clinical services; and

for scholarships and/or subsidies to increase the number of practitioners with a Graduate Certificate in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Recommendation 17

4.122

The committee recommends that Australian universities ensure that FASD modules are included in university curriculums for relevant occupations, including those for education and teaching, medicine, midwifery, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology.

Recommendation 18

4.124

The committee recommends that the Australian Government allocate funding for a project to disseminate the Australian guide to the diagnosis of FASD immediately following its revision and to train health professionals in its use.

Recommendation 19

5.128

The committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency implement improvements to the Early Childhood Early Intervention program to streamline access and documentary evidence requirements.

Recommendation 20

5.130

The committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency ensure that the planned Early Childhood Early Intervention Reset focus on improving access to support for children throughout key developmental stages.

Recommendation 21

5.136

The committee recommends that the Australian Government include FASD in the List of Recognised Disabilities.

Recommendation 22

5.137

The committee recommends that the eligibility requirements for the Disability Support Pension be reviewed to include individuals with FASD with an IQ above the low range (between 70 and 85).

Recommendation 23

5.139

The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with State and Territory Governments to provide all educators with professional development training in the awareness, understanding and management of FASD.

Recommendation 24

5.140

The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with State and Territory Governments to ensure all schools can deploy and resource FASD-specific strategies and assistance to support educators and to support students with FASD and suspected FASD, irrespective of IQ level.

Recommendation 25

5.142

The committee recommends that the Australian Government allocate funding for the development and delivery of practical parenting programs to complement existing supports and the FASD hotline.

Recommendation 26

5.144

The committee recommends that all children and young people entering the youth justice and child protection systems are screened for FASD.

Recommendation 27

5.145

The committee recommends that the Australian Government, in partnership with State and Territory Governments, develop and trial protocols for screening children and young people within child protection and youth justice systems for FASD.

Recommendation 28

5.147

The committee recommends that the Australian Government provides further funding to train custodial officers in FASD-specific strategies for dealing with youth with FASD or suspected FASD in correctional facilities.

Recommendation 29

5.150

The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund an independent study into best-practice diversionary programs and alternative therapeutic facilities for individuals with FASD or suspected FASD within the justice system.

Recommendation 30

5.152

The committee recommends that more funding and support is provided by State and Territory Child Protection authorities to carers who are caring for and supporting children with FASD.

Recommendation 31

6.75

The committee recommends the NDIA undertake consultation and a co-design process with First Nations organisations to improve its Remote Community Connectors Program to enable better access to disability support services for eligible NDIS participants living in remote Australia.

Recommendation 32

6.82

The committee recommends the Department of Health allocate specific funding aimed at supporting First Nations community-led projects to prevent and manage FASD.

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