Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• October -- AV: World of Work — Community Touchstone Series

  • When
    28 Oct 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  About the Touchstone Series

  Touchstone Discussions are the foundation of our next chapter in employment advocacy.

  As we prepare to launch AV: World of Work — a new podcast exploring the realities of neurodivergent employment — we’re taking a different approach: starting with you.

  This 3-part community series invites AV members, job seekers, professionals, and allies to come together, reflect, and help shape what’s next. Each session explores a core question:
  What do we need to talk about? How should we share it? And who needs to be heard?

  These live sessions will directly guide the structure, tone, and guest list of our upcoming podcast. They also inform AV’s broader employment strategy, advocacy priorities, and member offerings for 2026 and beyond.

  More info on the podcast and future Touchstone events will be available soon on the Webpage. 

  This is more than a series. It’s a community in motion.
  Thanks for being part of it.

  
  

  What Are Touchstone Discussions?

  As a metaphor, a touchstone is any physical or intellectual measure by which the validity or merit of a concept can be tested. At AV, our Touchstone Discussions are exactly that — a space to test, challenge, and enrich the ideas we aim to explore in the upcoming AV: World of Work podcast.

  These are live, guided community conversations that will eventually run two weeks after each episode, but for now — they’re the foundation we’re laying together, before the first episode is even released. Designed for authentic, human-centred reflection, Touchstones help us unpack real-world employment challenges and explore how they play out in our lived experiences.

  Facilitated by AV staff and experienced community members, these 60-minute Zoom sessions welcome everyone — whether you’re brand new to the workforce or have years of experience behind you.

  The true strength of Touchstones lies in how they feed our advocacy and shape the AV: World of Work platform itself. As host, I share from my lived experience — not to speak for our community, but to speak with it. The questions, reflections, and insights raised in these sessions are captured, thematically reviewed, and help drive:

  • Future podcast episode topics

  • Community speaker invitations

  • AV's employment service design and advocacy priorities

  Building Together Toward the 2026 Launch

  These three initial Touchstones — in September, October, and November — are not just events. They are an open invitation to co-create the AV: World of Work series, with the first full-length episodes set to launch in December 2025, leading into a 2026 rollout.

  We're using this lead-in period to build not only a podcast — but a community-powered ecosystem that is driven by shared insight and grounded in lived experience. Our goal is to establish a sustainable content and events model that generates:

  • Cashflow to support member benefits

  • New in-house roles for lived-experience facilitators and creatives

  • More inclusive, accessible, and engaging offerings for our wider community

  Get Involved

  We’re actively seeking volunteers, collaborators, and community contributors to help shape, support, and expand this work.

  Whether you're an aspiring content creator, a passionate advocate, a policy nerd, or simply someone with ideas to share — there’s a seat at the table for you.

  By participating in these Touchstones, you’re not only helping define the podcast — you’re helping AV and our broader community move toward a more inclusive, purpose-driven future of work.

  Let’s build it — together.

  All AV volunteer facilitators hold a valid Working with Children Check.

  Cost and Membership Information

  • Cost: $10 for AV members, $15 for non-members.
  • Membership Benefits: Becoming an AV member provides discounted tickets, access to members-only programs, and opportunities to support the neurodiverse community.

  If cost is a barrier, please contact our AV admin team for support.

  Registration Guidelines

  • Registration is required for all AV activities.
  • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.
  • Unregistered attendees may incur an admin fee of up to $15.

  Community Guides

  We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

  • How to register for an AV activity: View registration details or cancel a registration.
  • How to pay for an AV activity registration: Includes details for PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer options.
  • How to access an AV Zoom Activity: Tips on Zoom etiquette and troubleshooting common issues.
  • AV Zoom Guide: Detailed instructions on using in-Zoom features and settings.

  These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  For Assistance or More Information

  Contact us:

  • Call the Network Manager on 0427553077 or email at programs@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • Call 0480 385 710 or email our AV admin team at Admin@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • The AV phone is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday.

  After-hours support:

  • Tech and admin support for after-hours activities is available by phone for an hour before and during the first hour of the activity.
  • Please note that our email inbox is not monitored outside business hours.

  Policies and Terms

  • AV Privacy Policy
  • AV Event T&Cs
    
    Join the AV Career Network and connect with like-minded professionals to share experiences, leverage talents, and support positive change in the perception of neurodiversity in workplaces.

  
  

  Show details
• Job Seeker Network: November Event: Transitioning Into the Workplace – Setting Yourself Up for Success

  • When
    3 Nov 2025
  •  
    3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  
  

  
  

  About the Job Seeker Network

  The AV Job Seeker Network is an interest group designed to support neurodivergent-identifying individuals who are actively seeking employment or exploring self-employment. This network provides a space to connect with peers, share experiences, access open-source resources, and advocate for change in how neurodiversity is perceived in the workplace.

  This activity is for individuals aged 18 and older who identify as having autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent profiles and are navigating the job market. We are an inclusive group and welcome individuals at all stages of the assessment/diagnostic journey, including self-diagnosed.

  Meeting Details

  Our meetings are currently held online via Zoom on the First Monday of every month, excluding January.
  
  We also offer:

  • Monthly Speaker Q&A Events featuring neurodiverse professionals, stakeholders, and founders.
  • Bimonthly Touchstone Meetings which are more of a group discussion setting. The group may share challenges, strategies, and successes. These events all hold a topic of discussion, and you are encouraged to participate. 

  To find out more about these events,  go to our homepage > What We Do > Employment Support > Career Network 

  About Our Facilitators

  The AV Job Seeker Network is facilitated by Jacob Alan Kness, Employment Projects Manager at AV.
  Jacob is a neurodivergent professional and support worker with extensive experience leading employment services for neurodiverse individuals.

  All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check.

  Cost and Membership Information

  • Cost: Free for AV members, $10 for non-members.
  • Membership Reimbursement:

  Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. To check eligibility and request support:

  1. Contact your job-seeking program provider or NDIS plan manager.
  2. Explain that AV membership provides access to employment support programs designed for neurodiverse individuals.
  3. Provide them with AV’s details and a description of the AV Job Seeker Network (available upon request from our admin team).

  If you need further assistance, please reach out to our AV admin team directly.

  AV Membership Benefits

  • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
  • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
  • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

  If cost is a barrier, please contact our admin team for support.

  Registration Guidelines

  • Registration is required for all AV activities.
  • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.
  • Unregistered attendees may incur an admin fee of up to $10.

  Community Guides

  We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

  • How to register for an AV activity: View registration details or cancel a registration.
  • How to pay for an AV activity registration: Includes details for PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer options.
  • How to access an AV Zoom Activity: Tips on Zoom etiquette and troubleshooting common issues.
  • AV Zoom Guide: Detailed instructions on using in-Zoom features and settings.

  These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  For Assistance or More Information

  Contact us:

  • Call the Network Manager on 0427553077 or email at programs@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • Call 0480 385 710 or email our AV admin team at Admin@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • The AV phone is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday.

  After-hours support:

  • Tech and admin support for after-hours activities is available by phone for an hour before and during the first hour of the activity.
  • Please note that our email inbox is not monitored outside business hours.

  Policies and Terms

  • AV Privacy Policy
  • AV Event T&Cs

  Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

  Show details
• Topic Spotlight with Paul Micallef: Understanding Non-Literal Communication Why It’s Hard and What We Can Do About It

  • When
    6 Nov 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  
  

  About the Career Network

  The AV Career Network provides a supportive platform for neurodivergent professionals to build connections, share their stories, and explore strategies for professional success. Our inclusive approach ensures participants at all stages of their careers feel supported and valued.

  We welcome adults aged 18+ who identify as neurodivergent, including those who are formally diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or exploring their diagnostic journey.

  This November, we welcome internationally recognised speaker and educator Paul Micallef to our Topic Spotlight series.

  Many of us know what it feels like to miss a social cue, struggle with sarcasm, or get lost in the “in-between” of indirect communication. In this session, Paul will explore why non-literal language — metaphors, humour, implications, and subtle social signals — can be difficult to process, and how we can work toward more intentional and inclusive communication.

  Drawing from his lived experience as an autistic adult and his global work through Autism From the Inside, Paul will offer insight into how we interpret language, what often gets missed, and how we can strengthen relationships, confidence, and clarity.

  What We’ll Cover:

  • Why non-literal language is difficult for many

  • How social misunderstandings occur — and how to prevent them

  • Inclusive strategies for improving clarity at work and in daily life

  • How to advocate for yourself in social and professional communication

  About the Speaker:

  Paul Micallef is the founder of Autism From the Inside, a globally respected platform for neurodivergent education and storytelling. His work combines emotional intelligence, system thinking, and the human side of autism to help individuals better understand themselves — and each other.

  Paul’s YouTube channel has over 400,000 subscribers, and he has presented internationally to schools, families, professionals, and organisations seeking a better understanding of neurodiversity.

  Session Details:

  Date: Thursday 6 November 2025
  Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM AEDT
  Location: Online via Zoom (link sent upon registration)
  Recording: This session will be recorded and available to attendees and AV for future community access and learning

  Who This Is For:

  This session is part of AV’s Career Network, and is especially relevant for autistic adults with some exposure to the workforce — whether you're currently working, volunteering, or transitioning between roles.

  All community members are welcome, and this session is ideal for those wanting to deepen their understanding of social communication in real-world contexts.

  Tickets:

  • $10 AV Members

  • $15 – Non-Members

  [Register here]

  Lead-up Video:
  We invite you to watch Paul’s short video in the lead-up to the event:
  “Breaking Down Barriers to Genuine Connection – How Do We Make Friends?”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVBRy5GJkOE

  Zoom access will be provided to all participants upon completing their paid registration.

  Additional Opportunities

  In 2025, we’ve expanded our group offerings to better support and provide tailored experiences for our community. With the introduction of three distinct groups—the Career Network, Job Seeker Network, and Peer Support Touchstone Meetings—we now host a total of 26 events throughout the year.

  This expansion allows us to provide more specificity and targeted support to members at various stages of their professional and personal journeys. Each group is designed to address unique needs:

  • Career Network: For neurodivergent professionals or someone in a career transition' seeking growth, connections, and strategies to thrive in professional environments.
  • Job Seeker Network: A focused group offering practical tools and guidance for individuals actively navigating job transitions or entering the workforce.
  • Peer Support Touchstone Meetings: Informal, open discussions for sharing experiences, strategies, and peer support in a welcoming community setting.

  These additional opportunities ensure our community can connect in ways that meet their specific needs. Explore the variety of offerings on our Career Network page and Job Seeker Network page for more information.

  
  

  About Our Facilitators and Speakers

  All our facilitators are proudly on the autism spectrum and proudly neurodiverse, bringing their lived experiences and deep understanding of neurodivergent professional journeys to every session.

  Our guest speakers and supporting contributors are either neurodivergent themselves, peers within the neurodiverse community, or loved ones of neurodivergent individuals. Together, they provide authentic, insightful, and empowering perspectives that reflect the diverse experiences of our community.

  This commitment ensures that every session is led by individuals who truly understand the challenges, strengths, and unique contributions of neurodivergent professionals.

  All AV volunteer facilitators hold a valid Working with Children Check.

  Cost and Membership Information

  • Cost: $10 for AV members, $15 for non-members.
  • Membership Benefits: Becoming an AV member provides discounted tickets, access to members-only programs, and opportunities to support the neurodiverse community.

  If cost is a barrier, please contact our AV admin team for support.

  Registration Guidelines

  • Registration is required for all AV activities.
  • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.
  • Unregistered attendees may incur an admin fee of up to $15.

  Community Guides

  We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

  • How to register for an AV activity: View registration details or cancel a registration.
  • How to pay for an AV activity registration: Includes details for PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer options.
  • How to access an AV Zoom Activity: Tips on Zoom etiquette and troubleshooting common issues.
  • AV Zoom Guide: Detailed instructions on using in-Zoom features and settings.

  These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  For Assistance or More Information

  Contact us:

  • Call the Network Manager on 0427553077 or email at programs@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • Call 0480 385 710 or email our AV admin team at Admin@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • The AV phone is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday.

  After-hours support:

  • Tech and admin support for after-hours activities is available by phone for an hour before and during the first hour of the activity.
  • Please note that our email inbox is not monitored outside business hours.

  Policies and Terms

  • AV Privacy Policy
  • AV Event T&Cs
    
    Join the AV Career Network and connect with like-minded professionals to share experiences, leverage talents, and support positive change in the perception of neurodiversity in workplaces.

  
  

  Show details
• November - AV: World of Work — Community Touchstone Series

  • When
    25 Nov 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  About the Touchstone Series

  Touchstone Discussions are the foundation of our next chapter in employment advocacy.

  As we prepare to launch AV: World of Work — a new podcast exploring the realities of neurodivergent employment — we’re taking a different approach: starting with you.

  This 3-part community series invites AV members, job seekers, professionals, and allies to come together, reflect, and help shape what’s next. Each session explores a core question:
  What do we need to talk about? How should we share it? And who needs to be heard?

  These live sessions will directly guide the structure, tone, and guest list of our upcoming podcast. They also inform AV’s broader employment strategy, advocacy priorities, and member offerings for 2026 and beyond.

  More info on the podcast and future Touchstone events will be available soon on the Webpage. 

  This is more than a series. It’s a community in motion.
  Thanks for being part of it.

  
  

  What Are Touchstone Discussions?

  As a metaphor, a touchstone is any physical or intellectual measure by which the validity or merit of a concept can be tested. At AV, our Touchstone Discussions are exactly that — a space to test, challenge, and enrich the ideas we aim to explore in the upcoming AV: World of Work podcast.

  These are live, guided community conversations that will eventually run two weeks after each episode, but for now — they’re the foundation we’re laying together, before the first episode is even released. Designed for authentic, human-centred reflection, Touchstones help us unpack real-world employment challenges and explore how they play out in our lived experiences.

  Facilitated by AV staff and experienced community members, these 60-minute Zoom sessions welcome everyone — whether you’re brand new to the workforce or have years of experience behind you.

  The true strength of Touchstones lies in how they feed our advocacy and shape the AV: World of Work platform itself. As host, I share from my lived experience — not to speak for our community, but to speak with it. The questions, reflections, and insights raised in these sessions are captured, thematically reviewed, and help drive:

  • Future podcast episode topics

  • Community speaker invitations

  • AV's employment service design and advocacy priorities

  Building Together Toward the 2026 Launch

  These three initial Touchstones — in September, October, and November — are not just events. They are an open invitation to co-create the AV: World of Work series, with the first full-length episodes set to launch in December 2025, leading into a 2026 rollout.

  We're using this lead-in period to build not only a podcast — but a community-powered ecosystem that is driven by shared insight and grounded in lived experience. Our goal is to establish a sustainable content and events model that generates:

  • Cashflow to support member benefits

  • New in-house roles for lived-experience facilitators and creatives

  • More inclusive, accessible, and engaging offerings for our wider community

  Get Involved

  We’re actively seeking volunteers, collaborators, and community contributors to help shape, support, and expand this work.

  Whether you're an aspiring content creator, a passionate advocate, a policy nerd, or simply someone with ideas to share — there’s a seat at the table for you.

  By participating in these Touchstones, you’re not only helping define the podcast — you’re helping AV and our broader community move toward a more inclusive, purpose-driven future of work.

  Let’s build it — together.

  All AV volunteer facilitators hold a valid Working with Children Check.

  Cost and Membership Information

  • Cost: $10 for AV members, $15 for non-members.
  • Membership Benefits: Becoming an AV member provides discounted tickets, access to members-only programs, and opportunities to support the neurodiverse community.

  If cost is a barrier, please contact our AV admin team for support.

  Registration Guidelines

  • Registration is required for all AV activities.
  • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.
  • Unregistered attendees may incur an admin fee of up to $15.

  Community Guides

  We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

  • How to register for an AV activity: View registration details or cancel a registration.
  • How to pay for an AV activity registration: Includes details for PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer options.
  • How to access an AV Zoom Activity: Tips on Zoom etiquette and troubleshooting common issues.
  • AV Zoom Guide: Detailed instructions on using in-Zoom features and settings.

  These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  For Assistance or More Information

  Contact us:

  • Call the Network Manager on 0427553077 or email at programs@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • Call 0480 385 710 or email our AV admin team at Admin@aspergersvic.org.au.
  • The AV phone is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday.

  After-hours support:

  • Tech and admin support for after-hours activities is available by phone for an hour before and during the first hour of the activity.
  • Please note that our email inbox is not monitored outside business hours.

  Policies and Terms

  • AV Privacy Policy
  • AV Event T&Cs
    
    Join the AV Career Network and connect with like-minded professionals to share experiences, leverage talents, and support positive change in the perception of neurodiversity in workplaces.

  
  

  Show details