Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government initiative designed to provide earlier support for young children with developmental delay and autistic children with low to moderate support needs. The program is expected to support children aged 0 to 8 and their families, while children with permanent and significant disability will continue to receive NDIS support. With rollout scheduled from 1 October 2026 and full implementation expected by 1 January 2028, families may have questions about how Thriving Kids could affect their child’s NDIS support.
Understanding the Thriving Kids Program
Thriving Kids is a new national program designed to provide earlier support for children and families. It focuses on developmental delay and autism, with support intended to be available in everyday settings where children live, learn and play. The program forms part of broader disability and foundational support reforms in Australia. You can learn more through the official Thriving Kids information page
Who Is Thriving Kids Designed to Support?
Thriving Kids is designed to support:
- Children aged 0 to 8
- Children with developmental delay
- Autistic children with low to moderate support needs
- Families, carers and kin supporting these children
- Children who may not need a formal diagnosis to access support
The program is intended to provide an alternative pathway for children who may benefit from early support outside the NDIS.
Will Thriving Kids Replace the NDIS for Children?
No. Thriving Kids will not replace the NDIS for all children.
- Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be supported through the NDIS.
- Thriving Kids is intended to provide an alternative pathway for some children with developmental delay and autistic children with low to moderate support needs.
- The NDIS and Thriving Kids will support different groups of children based on their individual circumstances and support needs.
Whether a child may qualify for the NDIS depends on current access requirements and their individual circumstances. You can learn more in our guide to who is eligible for the NDIS
What Support Will Thriving Kids Provide?
Thriving Kids is intended to provide earlier, child and family-centred support for children with developmental delay and autism.
Support may include:
- Early identification of developmental concerns
- Connecting children and families with appropriate support
- Child and family-centred support
- Evidence-informed approaches
- Support in everyday settings
- Help navigating existing service systems
The program is designed around supporting children and families in their everyday environments rather than creating a fixed list of therapy services.
When Will Thriving Kids Begin?
The rollout of Thriving Kids is planned in stages, giving states and territories time to introduce the new support system.
From 1 October 2026
State services are scheduled to begin rolling out.
By 1 January 2028
Thriving Kids is expected to be fully implemented at scale.
What Happens to Children Already Accessing the NDIS?
Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to receive NDIS support. For children under 9 who were enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 and have developmental delay or autism with low to moderate support needs, reassessment arrangements have also been announced. Families should not assume that every child currently receiving NDIS support will automatically lose access. The impact will depend on the child’s circumstances and the arrangements that apply.
How Could Thriving Kids Affect Families Applying for the NDIS?
Thriving Kids may give some families access to developmental support outside the NDIS. This could be particularly relevant for children with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
- Access to support outside the NDIS
- Earlier developmental support
- Support without necessarily requiring a formal diagnosis
- Pathways based on a child’s functional support needs
- Continued use of the current NDIS access process until new arrangements formally apply
The introduction of Thriving Kids is also connected to broader reforms to disability support access in Australia. Learn more about upcoming NDIS access changes and what they could mean for future applicants.
Why Is the Australian Government Introducing Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is intended to provide earlier support for children with developmental delay and autism and improve access to developmental supports.
The program is also designed to:
- Provide support for families outside the NDIS
- Offer earlier developmental support
- Reduce reliance on the NDIS as the only pathway to support
- Respond to recommendations from the Independent Review into the NDIS about foundational supports
What Should Parents and Families Do Now?
As Thriving Kids is introduced, families can focus on their child’s current support needs while keeping up with official updates.
- Continue accessing current supports
- Follow the current NDIS access process where applicable
- Do not assume future changes apply immediately
- Stay informed through official government updates
- Discuss individual support needs with relevant professionals where appropriate
Supporting Children and Families Through NDIS Services
Every child and family has different support needs. As disability support systems continue to change, finding appropriate support can remain an important part of helping children build skills, confidence and independence. Elmur Community Services provides NDIS supports designed around individual needs and goals. Families can explore available services and discuss the type of support that may be suitable for their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions parents and families may have about Thriving Kids and the NDIS.
1. What is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is a new Australian program designed to provide earlier support for children aged 0 to 8 with developmental delay and autistic children with low to moderate support needs, as well as their families.
2. Will Thriving Kids replace the NDIS?
No. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be eligible for NDIS support. Thriving Kids is intended to provide another pathway for children with developmental delay and autism who have low to moderate support needs.
3. Who can access Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is designed to support children aged 0 to 8 with developmental delay and autistic children with low to moderate support needs, as well as their families and carers. A formal diagnosis may not be required.
4. When will Thriving Kids start?
The rollout of state services is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026, with full implementation expected by 1 January 2028.
5. Will children currently on the NDIS lose their support?
Families should not assume that children currently receiving NDIS support will automatically lose access. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be supported through the NDIS, while transition arrangements have also been announced for certain children enrolled before 1 January 2028.
Understanding What Thriving Kids Could Mean for Families
Thriving Kids is intended to provide earlier support for children with developmental delay and autistic children with low to moderate support needs, while the NDIS will continue to support children with permanent and significant disability. As the rollout progresses, families should continue following current access arrangements and official information rather than assuming future changes already apply. Understanding the difference between Thriving Kids and the NDIS can help parents and carers prepare for the changes ahead.
Email: info@elmur.com.au
Phone : (08) 6558 8814
Website : Elmur Community Services
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