If you’re a parent or carer of a young child with a developmental delay or autism, you’ve probably heard whispers about a new program called Thriving Kids. Maybe you’ve seen the headlines and felt a wave of uncertainty: Will my child lose their NDIS support? What does this mean for us?
You’re not alone in wondering. These are big changes, and it’s completely natural to have questions. The good news is that Thriving Kids is designed to get children the right support earlier and faster — and children with significant disabilities will continue to receive NDIS funding.
In this guide, we’ll explain the Thriving Kids NDIS changes in plain language — what the program is, who it’s for, who stays on the NDIS, and what your family can do to prepare.
What Is the Thriving Kids Program?
Thriving Kids is a new $4 billion Australian Government program that will provide early childhood support for children aged under 9 with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
It’s the first phase of what the government calls “Foundational Supports” — a system of community-based services that sits outside the NDIS. The idea is to provide early intervention through everyday settings like schools, childcare centres, community health clinics, and family homes rather than through individual NDIS plans.
The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth ($2 billion) and state and territory governments ($2 billion) over five years. At least $1.4 billion of the Commonwealth’s contribution will go directly to states and territories to deliver Thriving Kids services on the ground.
Why Is This Happening?
When the NDIS launched, many state-funded early childhood support services wound down. This meant the NDIS became the only option for many families — even when their child’s needs were mild or temporary.
The numbers tell the story:
- The NDIS now has over 740,000 participants, far exceeding the original estimate of 411,000
- Nearly half of all new NDIS entrants are children under 9
- One in ten six-year-olds in Australia is on the NDIS
- Annual NDIS costs are projected to reach $64 billion by 2029 without reform
The NDIA has acknowledged that many of these children would be better served by community-based supports that can reach them earlier and more consistently. Thriving Kids is the government’s solution — rebuilding the early childhood support system that existed before the NDIS.
As Minister for Disability Mark Butler put it: “Thriving Kids will empower and support families early in a child’s developmental journey with tailored supports in community settings.”
Who Is Thriving Kids For?
The program is designed for:
- Children aged 8 and under (also described as “under 9”)
- Children with developmental delay and/or autism
- Those with low to moderate support needs
- Their families, carers, and kin
This is an important distinction. Thriving Kids is not for all children with disabilities. It specifically targets children whose developmental needs can be effectively supported through community services, parent coaching, and short-term allied health programs — without needing an ongoing NDIS plan.
Who Stays on the NDIS?
This is the question most families are asking, and the answer is clear:
💡 Key Point:
Children with permanent and significant disability — including children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs) — will remain eligible for the NDIS.
In other words, if your child has complex, ongoing support needs that go beyond what community-based services can provide, they stay on the NDIS. This applies regardless of diagnosis. The focus is on the level of support your child needs, not just their diagnosis.
Children who are already enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will be reassessed under the eligibility criteria that were in place before that date. This is an important safeguard — existing participants won’t be suddenly removed.
What Supports Will Thriving Kids Provide?
The program takes a different approach from the NDIS. Rather than individual funded plans, Thriving Kids provides a range of supports matched to your child’s level of need. According to the official Thriving Kids fact sheet, supports fall into three key areas:
1. Information, Advice, and Navigation
Families will have easier access to accurate information about child development, and help connecting with the right supports. Developmental concerns will be identified earlier through existing touchpoints — maternal health checks, GP visits, childcare centres, and school assessments.
A key part of the model is navigation support — helping families understand what services are available and making it easier to access them. The Advisory Group recommended multiple “entry points” so there’s no wrong door to seeking support.
Importantly, families will be able to access supports without needing a formal diagnosis. The Advisory Group specifically recommended that children should get early access to help regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis yet.
2. Parenting Supports and Programs
Families, carers, and kin are the first teachers in a child’s life. To support them in this role, Thriving Kids will offer programs that help parents build:
- Knowledge and skills to support their child’s development
- Strong relationships with their children and others in their lives
- Peer support through connections with families going through similar experiences
These supports will be offered in different ways — online courses, short videos, resources to use at home, peer support groups, supported playgroups, family programs, and culturally safe training.
3. Targeted Supports
For children and families who need more help than parenting programs alone, Thriving Kids will provide Targeted Supports including:
- Allied health services delivered by trained professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, audiologists, and psychologists
- Low-cost assistive technology where needed — like communication boards, social stories, and sensory aids
- Individualised capacity building to help families navigate key transition points like starting school
For children with moderate support needs who are seeing multiple allied health professionals, one professional may work as a “key worker” — a lead coach and connector who helps coordinate all the supports your child is receiving.
All supports will be delivered in everyday settings where children already spend their time:
- At home
- In early learning centres and childcare
- At school
- Through community health centres
- Via Aboriginal Community Controlled services and community hubs
The Advisory Group emphasised that all supports should be neuro-affirming, evidence-informed, child-centred, and culturally responsive.
💡 What This Means for You:
The shift is from one-to-one, clinic-based therapy sessions to a more integrated model where support happens in your child’s natural environment. You won’t need an NDIS plan to access allied health — and you won’t need a formal diagnosis to get started.
When Does Thriving Kids Start?
Here’s the timeline:
- 1 October 2026: Thriving Kids rollout begins in initial locations across states and territories
- 1 January 2028: Full national coverage expected, with all states and territories operating the program at scale
- From 1 January 2028: Changes to NDIS access arrangements take effect — children who would have entered the NDIS with low-to-moderate needs will instead access Thriving Kids
The staged timeline is important. The government has committed to ensuring national services are in place before any changes to NDIS eligibility. This means Thriving Kids must be up and running before children are redirected away from the NDIS.
It’s also worth noting that changes to NDIS access will require amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. This is a legislative change, which means it must pass through Parliament — providing another layer of oversight and scrutiny before anything takes effect.
What About the Transition Period?
The government has stated that no child will lose access to essential supports during the transition. The rollout will be gradual, and families will receive guidance throughout the process.
If your child is currently on the NDIS with a developmental delay or autism diagnosis and has low to moderate needs, your child’s existing plan and supports will continue until a proper reassessment occurs. You won’t be suddenly cut off.
How Is This Different from the Current NDIS Early Childhood Approach?
Currently, children with developmental concerns enter the NDIS through the Early Childhood Approach (previously called Early Childhood Early Intervention or ECEI). This pathway provides NDIS-funded supports including therapy, assistive technology, and family support.
Under Thriving Kids, the difference is:
- Funding source: Thriving Kids is funded jointly by federal and state/territory governments, not through the NDIS. States deliver the services locally, while the Commonwealth handles national measures like online and phone advice, workforce initiatives, and program evaluation
- No individual plan: Instead of an NDIS plan with a set budget, families access services through community-based programs and Medicare
- Focus on everyday settings: Support happens at home, school, and childcare rather than primarily in clinical settings
- Family-centred model: Greater emphasis on equipping parents and carers with skills and strategies
- Shorter-term interventions: Targeted therapy programs rather than ongoing intensive sessions
For children with high support needs, nothing changes — they continue through the NDIS pathway with full access to individualised funding and supports.
What Families Are Worried About
We want to be upfront: there are genuine concerns in the community about Thriving Kids. As support coordinators, we hear from families every day, and these worries deserve honest answers.
Will the Supports Be Good Enough?
Many families worry that Thriving Kids won’t provide the same level of therapy their child currently receives through the NDIS. This is a valid concern. The government has committed $4 billion, but the specifics of how many therapy hours will be available, and at what cost to families, are still being finalised in many states.
What we do know is that the program’s design has been informed by multiple inputs: the Thriving Kids Advisory Group (co-chaired by Professor Frank Oberklaid AM with experts from paediatrics, child development, disability, and First Nations perspectives), the Parliamentary Inquiry’s “No Child Left Behind” report, national consultations on Foundational Supports held in 2024, and engagement with disability representative organisations and families with lived experience. The advisory group recommended evidence-informed, neuro-affirming approaches delivered in everyday settings.
What If My Child’s Needs Change?
Children’s needs can change — sometimes significantly. If your child’s developmental needs increase beyond what Thriving Kids can support, the pathway to the NDIS remains open. You can apply for NDIS access at any time if your child meets the eligibility criteria for permanent and significant disability.
Will There Be Service Gaps?
This is a concern shared by many advocacy groups. The government has committed to having Thriving Kids services in place before changing NDIS eligibility rules. However, the quality and availability of services may vary by location, especially in the early rollout phase and in regional or remote areas.
If you’re feeling uncertain, talking to your support coordinator about the transition timeline can help you plan ahead.
Priority Groups — Making Sure No Family Is Left Behind
The Thriving Kids Advisory Group highlighted that the program must focus on reaching families who are often underserved. Priority groups include:
- First Nations children and families — services should be culturally safe, trauma-informed, and delivered through Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations where possible
- Culturally and linguistically diverse families — services offered in multiple languages with qualified interpreters and plain language materials
- Children in out-of-home care — children with developmental delay and disability are overrepresented in out-of-home care, and the program must connect effectively with child protection systems
If your family comes from a culturally diverse background, you should still be able to access Thriving Kids supports in a way that respects your parenting practices and cultural norms.
How Thriving Kids Connects to the Broader NDIS Changes
Thriving Kids doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a broader set of NDIS reforms happening in 2026, including:
- New framework planning — a completely new process for how adult NDIS plans are created and managed, starting 1 July 2026
- Flexible budgets — replacing the old Core/Capacity Building/Capital categories with flexible and stated funding
- Mandatory provider registration — new requirements for SIL and platform providers from 1 July 2026
- Support needs assessments — a new strengths-based assessment process for NDIS participants
Together, these changes represent the most significant reform of the NDIS since the scheme began. Understanding all of them — especially how they interact — gives you the full picture.
5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Prepare
Whether your child is currently on the NDIS or you’re thinking about applying, here’s how to get ahead:
1. Understand Your Child’s Support Level
The key question is whether your child has low-to-moderate or high support needs. If your child has a permanent disability with significantly reduced functional capacity, they’ll likely remain on the NDIS. Talk to your child’s paediatrician, therapists, or GP about how their needs are classified.
2. Document Everything
Keep detailed records of your child’s daily support needs, therapy sessions, and developmental progress. If you ever need to demonstrate the level of support your child requires — whether for the NDIS or Thriving Kids — documentation is your strongest evidence.
3. Request Provider Reports
Ask your child’s therapists (speech pathologists, OTs, psychologists) for progress reports and functional assessments. These reports paint a clear picture of your child’s current abilities and ongoing needs.
4. Talk to Your Support Coordinator
If your child has a support coordinator, have a conversation about how the changes may affect your family. A specialist support coordinator can help you understand the timeline and what it means for your child’s plan specifically.
5. Stay Informed Through Official Channels
The Australian Government’s Thriving Kids page has the latest fact sheets, the Advisory Group’s report, and Easy Read summaries. You can also check the NDIA’s Thriving Kids update for information on how the transition affects current NDIS participants. For specific questions, you can email the Thriving Kids team directly at foundational.supports@health.gov.au.
💡 What This Means for You:
You don’t need to panic or make any immediate changes. The transition is gradual, and your child’s current supports stay in place until the new system is ready in your area. But being prepared puts you in the strongest position.
How a Support Coordinator Helps Your Family Through the Transition
Navigating changes to your child’s supports is stressful. This is where having a dedicated support coordinator makes a real difference.
A support coordinator can:
- Explain the changes in plain language and how they apply to your child specifically
- Help you gather evidence of your child’s support needs, including coordinating with therapists and schools
- Guide you through reassessments if your child’s NDIS eligibility needs to be reviewed
- Connect you with services under the new Thriving Kids program as it rolls out in your area
- Advocate for your child if you believe their needs aren’t being met by the new arrangements
If you’re living with the added complexity of mental health challenges as a carer, a psychosocial recovery coach can also support your wellbeing during what can be an overwhelming time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thriving Kids
Will my child be removed from the NDIS?
Not automatically. Children with permanent and significant disability, including those with high support needs, will remain on the NDIS. If your child has low to moderate needs and is enrolled before 1 January 2028, they’ll be reassessed under the eligibility criteria that were in place before that date.
What if my child has autism — do they stay on the NDIS?
It depends on the level of support your child needs, not the diagnosis alone. Children with autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs) remain NDIS-eligible. Children with autism who have low to moderate needs will transition to Thriving Kids.
Is Thriving Kids free?
The program is funded by the government, and new Medicare items are being introduced to support allied health access. However, the exact cost structure for families — including any out-of-pocket therapy costs — is still being finalised. We’ll update this article as more details are released.
What happens when my child turns 9?
Thriving Kids supports children aged 8 and under. If your child still needs support after turning 9, they may be assessed for NDIS eligibility based on the standard criteria for permanent and significant disability. The government has stated no child will lose access to essential supports during transitions.
When will I know if my child is affected?
The rollout starts 1 October 2026 and will be phased by location. Full national coverage is expected by 1 January 2028. The NDIA and your state/territory government will provide information as the program launches in your area.
Can I still apply for the NDIS for my child?
Yes. Until the changes to access arrangements take effect from 1 January 2028, the current NDIS eligibility criteria remain in place. If your child meets the criteria for permanent and significant disability, they can still apply for and receive NDIS support at any time — even after Thriving Kids launches.
Your Family Doesn’t Have to Navigate This Alone
We understand that any change involving your child’s support can feel overwhelming. But here’s the key takeaway: Thriving Kids is about building a better early childhood support system, and children with significant disabilities continue to receive full NDIS support.
At Centre of Hope, we work with families across NSW to navigate exactly these kinds of changes. Whether you need help understanding what the transition means for your child, preparing for a reassessment, or connecting with services under the new program — we’re here to walk beside you.
Your goals. Your plan. Our support.
Have questions about how Thriving Kids affects your family? We’d love to hear from you.
📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
📧 Email: hello@centreofhope.com.au
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
📝 Referral: Send a referral online
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date based on official Australian Government and NDIA sources, program details and timelines may change. Always refer to the official Thriving Kids page or speak with your support coordinator for guidance specific to your family’s situation.
