The Ricky Stuart Foundation's board gave the project the green light at a meeting on Monday morning, before Stuart's fourth annual charity golf day at Royal Canberra.

Celebrities flocked for a bit of hit-and-giggle but the cause they gathered together to support is a serious one.

Stuart's daughter Emma has autism, and his foundation has now raised over half a million dollars since its inception.

The announcement of a second respite base follows the launch of the start of construction of the first centre at Chifley in December.

The ACT Government has pledged $1 million to the project with the foundation contributing about $400,000.

It will include six beds and will be run by not-for-profit Marymead which already partners with the government in service delivery.

Work on the project, a joint venture of the Ricky Stuart Foundation and the ACT Government, will begin around late March, with hopes it will be fully operational by the end of the year.

Stuart made the announcement a second centre is in the works at the golf day's gala dinner at Hotel Realm.

A location for the centre is yet to be determined.

"We just had a board meeting [on Monday] and in partnership with the government we'll be going ahead with our second respite centre," Stuart said.

"it's good for the kids, it's good there's more availability for respite, which is one of the biggest issues.

"Also for the parents and siblings they get their respite as well, it's great for both parties concerned."

The big names who teed off at Royal Canberra included Raiders legend and Queensland coach Mal Meninga, Channel Nine personality Leila McKinnon, Footy Show host Darryl Brohman, dual international Wendell Sailor, boxing champion Daniel Geale and rugby league immortal Bob Fulton.

Professional golfers including Rodger Davis, Wayne Grady, Peter O'Malley and Brendan Jones also competed, as well as Matthew Millar fresh from a heartbreaking second at the Queensland PGA championship.