The NDIS changes children under 8 face are some of the most significant reforms in the scheme’s history. If you have a young child with autism or a developmental delay, you’ve probably heard that access is changing — and if the uncertainty has left you worried, you’re not alone. Over 400 families submitted their concerns to the parliamentary inquiry, and thousands more are asking the same question: What does this mean for my child?
The short answer: from 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with low-to-moderate support needs will no longer enter the NDIS. Instead, they’ll be supported through a new $4 billion program called Thriving Kids. Children with high support needs — including those with permanent and significant disabilities — will continue to access the NDIS as normal.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what these NDIS changes children under 8 are facing mean, who’s affected, what Thriving Kids will actually look like, what concerns families are raising, and — most importantly — what you should do right now to protect your child’s supports.
What Are the NDIS Changes Children Under 8 Will Face?
Right now, children under 8 with autism or developmental delay can access the NDIS through the Early Childhood Approach (previously called ECEI). This provides individualised funding for therapies like speech pathology, occupational therapy, and psychology.
Under the new model, the pathway splits into two:
| Support Level | Pathway (from Jan 2028) | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| High support needs — permanent, significant disability with substantially reduced functional capacity | NDIS (no change) | Individualised NDIS plan with funded supports |
| Low-to-moderate support needs — developmental delay and/or autism without substantially reduced functional capacity | Thriving Kids (new program) | Community-based services, no individual funding package |
The critical word here is “substantially reduced functional capacity.” That’s what separates children who stay on the NDIS from those who move to Thriving Kids. We’ll unpack what that means below.
The Timeline — What Happens When
This isn’t happening overnight. Here’s the timeline:
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Now – Sep 2026 | No changes. Children can still access the NDIS under current rules. |
| 1 October 2026 | Thriving Kids begins rolling out state-by-state. NDIS access continues alongside it. |
| Oct 2026 – Dec 2027 | Transition period. Both pathways available as Thriving Kids scales nationally. |
| 1 January 2028 | NDIS access changes take effect. Children under 8 with low-to-moderate needs no longer enter the NDIS. They access Thriving Kids instead. |
Important: Children already enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 with developmental delay and/or autism with low-to-moderate support needs will continue to be assessed under the eligibility criteria that were in place before the changes. You won’t automatically lose your plan.
What Is “Low-to-Moderate” vs “High” Support Needs?
This is the question every parent is asking — and the answer isn’t as clear as anyone would like.
High Support Needs (Stay on NDIS)
Your child is likely to remain NDIS-eligible if they have:
- A permanent and significant disability (not just a developmental delay)
- Substantially reduced functional capacity across multiple areas of daily life
- Complex needs requiring intensive, ongoing, individualised support
- Significant challenges with communication, mobility, self-care, or social interaction that are unlikely to resolve with early intervention alone
Low-to-Moderate Support Needs (Move to Thriving Kids)
Your child may be redirected to Thriving Kids if they have:
- Autism (often described as Level 1 or what was previously called “mild”) or developmental delay
- Support needs focused on building skills and independence rather than managing substantially reduced functional capacity
- Challenges that respond well to early intervention and therapy
- Needs that don’t require intensive, ongoing individualised funding
The concern: “Mild” and “moderate” are not clinical terms. As autism advocacy organisation Amaze and Yellow Ladybugs CEO Katie Koulas have pointed out, these are policy constructions — not diagnostic categories. A child described as having “mild” autism may still have significant daily challenges that aren’t visible to assessors. This grey area is one of the biggest worries families have about the changes.
What Is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is a new national program — $4 billion over 5 years, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state/territory governments. It’s the first phase of what the government calls “Foundational Supports.”
What Thriving Kids Will Offer
- Early identification through GPs, maternal health nurses, and early childhood educators — no formal diagnosis required
- Free phone and online family support
- Parenting programs and peer groups
- Allied health therapies — speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology — delivered through community hubs, schools, and childcare centres
- Assistive technology access
- No gap fees for families (based on current government commitments)
How It’s Different from the NDIS
| Feature | NDIS | Thriving Kids |
|---|---|---|
| Funding model | Individualised plan with a dollar amount | Community-based services, no individual budget |
| Provider choice | You choose your own providers | Services delivered through local hubs and settings |
| Diagnosis required | Yes (for children 6+) | No — support based on need, not diagnosis |
| Therapy delivery | One-to-one sessions with chosen therapist | Embedded in schools, childcare, community centres |
| Waiting time | Can take months for access + planning | Designed for faster access through local services |
What Families Are Worried About These NDIS Changes
Let’s be honest — the NDIS changes children under 8 will experience are causing real anxiety. Here are the most common concerns we’re hearing:
1. “My Child Will Lose Their Therapist”
This is the number one fear. Many children have spent years building trust with a specific speech therapist, OT, or psychologist. Under Thriving Kids, therapy will be delivered through community hubs rather than individually chosen providers. As one parent told the parliamentary inquiry: “My kids will lose vital people they have taken a long time to get to know.”
2. “Mild” Doesn’t Mean Easy
A child with Level 1 autism may seem “fine” in a brief assessment — but parents know the daily reality of meltdowns, sensory overwhelm, social difficulties, and constant advocacy at school. The word “mild” doesn’t capture the full picture, and families worry their children’s needs will be underestimated.
3. Services Don’t Exist Yet
Thriving Kids is supposed to launch in October 2026, but the community services it depends on aren’t built yet in many areas. Regional and remote families face particular challenges — as one parent in the inquiry noted: “In the country, the therapists don’t exist to embed anywhere.”
4. No “Worse Off” Guarantee
Parents want a written guarantee that no child will receive less support under Thriving Kids than they currently get on the NDIS. The “No Child Left Behind” parliamentary report called for exactly this — but it hasn’t been legislated yet.
5. Lack of Autistic Community Input
Yellow Ladybugs CEO Katie Koulas was direct: the program “hasn’t had autistic input or approval, so it’s actually quite dangerous.” A survey of 1,535 parents found that families want neuro-affirming approaches, flexible support options, and genuine co-design — not a top-down policy that was built without them.
The “No Child Left Behind” Report
In December 2025, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability released the “No Child Left Behind” report following its inquiry into Thriving Kids. Over 400 submissions from families, advocacy groups, and service providers informed the report.
The committee made 16 key recommendations, including:
- Phased, staged implementation — don’t rush the rollout
- Safeguards so no child loses existing supports when Thriving Kids begins
- Genuine co-design with families and the disability community
- Evidence-based supports — no unproven therapies
- Rapid review two years after implementation to check outcomes
- A single entry point with multiple pathways for families seeking help
- Medicare-funded developmental checks
- Improved access in regional, rural, and remote communities
- An independent Inspector-General for the NDIS to oversee implementation
These recommendations haven’t all been adopted yet. Whether the government follows through will be critical.
What About Children Already on the NDIS?
If your child is already on the NDIS before 1 January 2028, here’s what you need to know:
- You won’t automatically lose your plan. Children enrolled before the changes will continue to be assessed under the existing eligibility criteria — not the new ones.
- Plan reassessments are increasing. The NDIA has increased reassessments for children aged 7-9, particularly around the age-6 diagnosis cutoff. If you receive a reassessment letter, you have 90 days to respond (extendable).
- Document everything now. If your child was diagnosed before age 6, make sure you have clear documentation from your health professionals. The NDIA provides guidance on the evidence required by disability type.
- You can still apply. Until 1 January 2028, the current NDIS access process remains unchanged. If you’ve been thinking about applying, don’t wait.
What You Should Do Right Now About the NDIS Changes Children Under 8 Face
Whether your child is on the NDIS, about to apply, or worried about the changes — here are concrete steps you can take today:
If Your Child Is Currently on the NDIS
- Keep all reports and assessments up to date. Ask your OT, speech therapist, or psychologist for current reports documenting your child’s functional capacity.
- Document daily challenges. Keep a diary or notes about your child’s daily struggles — meltdowns, sensory issues, communication breakdowns, school difficulties. This is your evidence if a reassessment comes.
- Respond to any NDIA correspondence immediately. If you receive a reassessment letter, don’t ignore it. You have 90 days — use them wisely.
- Talk to your support coordinator. They can help you understand your child’s position and prepare for any changes. Learn what a support coordinator does.
If You’re Thinking About Applying for the NDIS
- Apply now — don’t wait for the changes. Children who enter the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will be assessed under the current criteria.
- Get a diagnosis if your child is 6 or older. Children under 6 don’t need a formal diagnosis to access early childhood supports, but children 6+ do.
- Gather evidence of functional impact. Reports from your GP, paediatrician, OT, and speech therapist showing how your child’s disability affects daily life.
- Contact your Early Childhood Partner. They can guide you through the access process — or read our guide on the NDIS participant journey.
If Your Child May Move to Thriving Kids
- Don’t panic. The program hasn’t launched yet, and safeguards are still being developed.
- Stay informed. Follow the official Thriving Kids page for updates.
- Connect with advocacy groups. Organisations like ACD (Association for Children with a Disability) and CYDA (Children and Young People with Disability Australia) are monitoring the rollout.
- Ask your therapists about continuity. Find out whether your current providers plan to deliver services under Thriving Kids.
The Bigger Picture — Why This Is Happening
The NDIS has grown far beyond original projections:
- Original 2011 estimate: 411,000 participants costing $13.6 billion/year
- Current reality: 740,000+ participants
- Projected 2029 cost: $64 billion
- Children under 9: approximately half of all new entrants
- One in ten six-year-olds currently accesses the NDIS nationally
The government argues that the NDIS was never designed to be the sole system for all children with developmental needs — and that a dedicated early childhood program can deliver better outcomes, faster, through the places families already go: GPs, childcare centres, schools, and community health services.
Critics argue that moving children off the NDIS is primarily a cost-saving measure, and that Thriving Kids won’t provide the same level of support. The truth is likely somewhere in between — and the outcome will depend entirely on how well the program is implemented.
How This Connects to Other NDIS Changes in 2026
The access changes for children under 8 are part of a broader wave of NDIS reforms happening in 2026-2028:
- NDIS Planning Changes: New support needs assessments and a new planning framework are being rolled out from mid-2026. Read our full guide on NDIS planning changes.
- NDIS Navigators: Support coordinators, LACs, and psychosocial recovery coaches will eventually be replaced by Navigators. Learn about the Navigator model.
- SIL Mandatory Registration: All Supported Independent Living providers must be registered by 1 July 2026. Read our SIL registration guide.
- Thriving Kids: This article — the early childhood component of the reforms. Previously covered in our Thriving Kids overview.
Together, these changes represent the most significant transformation of the NDIS since it launched. Staying informed is the best thing you can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child lose their NDIS plan because of these changes?
Not automatically. Children already on the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to be assessed under the existing eligibility criteria. However, the NDIA has increased reassessments for children aged 7-9, so keep your documentation up to date.
When do the NDIS access changes actually start?
Thriving Kids begins rolling out from 1 October 2026. But the actual NDIS access changes — where children with low-to-moderate needs no longer enter the NDIS — don’t take effect until 1 January 2028. Until then, current access rules remain in place.
What does “substantially reduced functional capacity” mean?
It means your child has significant, measurable limitations across multiple areas of daily life — communication, mobility, self-care, social interaction, learning. This is the threshold that determines whether your child stays on the NDIS or moves to Thriving Kids. The exact criteria are still being finalised.
Is Thriving Kids free?
The government has committed to no gap fees for families. Services including speech therapy, OT, and psychology will be available through community hubs, schools, and childcare centres at no cost. However, some details around cost-sharing for allied health services are still being confirmed.
Can I choose my own therapist under Thriving Kids?
This is unclear. Unlike the NDIS where you choose your own providers, Thriving Kids will deliver services through community hubs and local settings. You may not have the same level of provider choice. This is one of the biggest concerns families have raised.
Should I apply for the NDIS now before the changes?
If your child may be eligible, yes — apply now. Children who enter the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will be assessed under the current, more inclusive criteria. Waiting could mean your child is assessed under the stricter post-2028 rules.
What if I disagree with a decision about my child’s eligibility?
You can request an internal review within 3 months of the decision. If that doesn’t resolve it, you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal. Your support coordinator can help you through this process.
How Centre of Hope Can Help
Navigating the NDIS changes children under 8 are facing is stressful — especially when the rules are still being written.
At Centre of Hope, we help families across Western Sydney and NSW understand their options, prepare for reassessments, and make the most of their child’s NDIS plan while it’s still active.
We can help you:
- Understand whether your child will be affected by the access changes
- Prepare evidence for reassessments — working with your allied health team to document functional capacity
- Maximise your child’s current NDIS plan before any transition occurs
- Navigate the application process if you’re applying for the NDIS before the January 2028 cutoff
- Connect you with advocacy organisations monitoring the Thriving Kids rollout
Your goals. Your plan. Our support.
📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
📝 Refer: Submit a referral
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Information is current as of April 2026. NDIS policies, eligibility criteria, and the Thriving Kids program are still being finalised and may change. Always refer to the official NDIS website or the Thriving Kids page for the most up-to-date information relevant to your situation.
