The Federal Government's Helping Children with Autism program has earmarked south-western Sydney as the home of one of six centres.

The centre will have psychologists and an occupational and speech therapist, and will help develop social interaction and communication skills.

Autism Advisory and Support Service president Grace Fava said the centre should be in Liverpool.

``It's a fantastic step in the right direction because right now the waiting lists to get into services are phenomenal,'' Ms Fava said.

``You're looking at two or three years, if you're lucky, to get into play groups, preschools or even just a speech or occupational therapist.''

Federal MPs Chris Bowen (Prospect), Jason Clare (Blaxland) and Julia Irwin (Fowler) lobbied for the centre.

``We've managed to get it specified as a south-western Sydney centre and that was based on locals pointing out that it was needed here,'' Mr Bowen said.

Ms Irwin said that more than half of NSW's autistic children aged under five lived within 40kilometres of Liverpool.

Bassema Ghaznavi's second child Noora, 5, was diagnosed with autism about two years ago. Ms Ghaznavi, of Fairfield Heights, said that while the centre comes too late for her daughter, it would prove a great help to other parents.

``There's a very big need in this area and early intervention can be a real help,'' Ms Ghaznavi said.

Noora started at Mainsbridge School, Liverpool this year and her mother has noticed a big change.

`She's the best communicator in the class now and I think that has a lot to do with what I've been doing with her at home,'' she said.