Thriving Kids Program: What We Know So Far

Over the past year, many NDIS participants and families have been hearing more about a new program called Thriving Kids. We briefly mentioned it in an earlier blog on early intervention, and since then, questions have continued to grow, particularly about what it could mean for children with developmental delay or autism. 

The program has been in development for some time. Although it was expected to start earlier, the rollout was delayed while governments worked through the finer details. With more information now available, here is what we know so far and what families can expect. 

What is Thriving Kids? 

Thriving Kids is a new government program designed for children aged 8 and under who have developmental delay or are on the autism spectrum, with low to moderate support needs. These supports sit outside the NDIS and are commonly referred to as foundational supports. 

It aims to help children and families access support earlier, without having to apply for the NDIS straight away. The focus is on practical, timely assistance that supports development, everyday participation, and family wellbeing, rather than requiring a formal diagnosis before support can begin. 

The government has committed $4 billion over five years to establish the program, with funding shared between the Australian Government and state and territory governments. At least $1.4 billion from Commonwealth will go directly to states and territories, which means most services will be delivered through existing local systems. 

Children with permanent and significant disability, including those with higher support needs, will still be eligible for the NDIS under current arrangements. 

How the Program is Expected to Work 

Thriving Kids is designed around a straightforward, staged approach to make it easier for families to navigate and access support. 

The first stage is identification. Developmental concerns may be noticed by parents or carers, early learning educators, schools, GPs, or other health professionals. The idea is to respond sooner, rather than waiting until a diagnosis is confirmed. 

The second stage focuses on connection. Families will be supported to find the right services through clearer referral pathways, online directories, and access to professionals working within the Thriving Kids framework. 

The third stage is support. Services are expected to include parent-led, community-based, and more targeted supports delivered by allied health professionals and early childhood workers. This may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, group programs, and peer support. Families can move between different levels of support over time as a child’s needs change. 

What happens next? 

Thriving Kids was originally expected to begin earlier, but the rollout has now been confirmed to start from 1 October 2026. Services will be introduced progressively, with the program expected to be fully in place by 1 January 2028. 

This timeline matters because changes to how children access the NDIS are not expected until Thriving Kids services are available nationally. Children who enter the NDIS before 2028 will continue to be supported, subject to usual reassessment processes. 

If your child is already an NDIS participant, nothing changes right now. For families with younger children who are not on the NDIS, Thriving Kids is intended to provide another pathway to early support, alongside existing mainstream and community services. 

Some details are still being finalised, including how services will operate across different regions and how workforce capacity will be managed. We’ll keep following developments and share updates as more information becomes available. 

Read the full update on Thriving Kids.