How Thriving Kids supports children and families in Australia

Thriving Kids is the Australian Government’s new early intervention program supporting families and children aged eight years and younger with developmental delay or autism.

Although the program’s services are currently rolling out across the nation, parents and carers could be forgiven for being a little confused by the information they’ve received to date.

Many families are still discovering the range of services that can be accessed through the program and working out how Thriving Kids fits alongside their child’s current National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports.

And for those with children who aren’t yet part of the NDIS, there’s confusion about the help available for their kids too.

This article explores Thriving Kids, who it’s for, and what it offers.

What's Thriving Kids, and who is it for?

An Australian Government initiative, delivered in partnership with states and territories, Thriving Kids supports children aged eight years and younger with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs.

The program began rolling out in October 2026, and services will continue to be added until 1 January 2028.

Thriving Kids is part of a wider change to how early childhood supports are delivered – with the Australian Government aiming to make developmental support easier to access outside of the NDIS.

Instead of automatically providing an NDIS plan and funding package to every child with developmental delay or autism, Thriving Kids will offer a range of supports through existing and new community, health, and early childhood services.

Importantly, children don’t need a formal diagnosis to access Thriving Kids support. Eligibility and support options will be discussed between families and the professionals involved in assessing a child’s needs from the earliest stages of life.

Children with permanent and significant disability and higher support needs will continue to be supported through the NDIS if they meet the Scheme’s eligibility requirements – and, in some circumstances, children and their families may be able to access supports through Thriving Kids and the NDIS.

What services does Thriving Kids offer?

Thriving Kids has been designed to provide different levels of support depending on a child's developmental needs – from information on development through to professional intervention.

The supports being introduced through the program include:
Information and advice: Resources from credible sources about childhood development, autism, and practical ways to support your child.

Development checks: Opportunities to identify developmental concerns early and understand whether your child might benefit from additional support.

Family and community programs: Parenting programs, peer support, facilitated playgroups, and opportunities to connect with other families.

Targeted professional support: Support from allied health professionals, such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers.

Practical equipment: Low-cost assistive technology, aids and equipment where needed.

Support may be provided individually or in groups, online or in person, and in places where children already spend their time.

The type and amount of support available will depend on your child's needs and the services operating in your area. Because Thriving Kids is being introduced in stages, some services are available now, while others are still being developed.

You can find out more about Thriving Kids supports here.

How do families access Thriving Kids support?

If you're concerned about your child's development, you don't need to wait for a diagnosis before asking for help.

You can start by speaking with your GP, a maternal and child health nurse, or your child's early childhood educator or teacher. These professionals can help identify concerns early and will be able to connect you to Thriving Kids services in your area.

You can also access the Thriving Kids information services, which are designed to help families understand developmental differences and find appropriate support.

Other information and sources of support include:

The Thriving Kids Online Information Hub, which provides reliable information about child development, developmental delay, autism, and practical strategies families can use at home and in their day-to-day lives.

The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website and phone line, which provides expert advice from child and family health nurses. Families across Australia can call 1800 882 436 or use a video call service, seven days a week, from 7am until midnight (AET).

The Thriving Kids Autism Helpline, delivered by Amaze, which provides autism-specific information, advice, and links to relevant services. 

Most Thriving Kids services will be delivered by state and territory governments, building on existing local health, education, and community services. This means the services available, and how you access them, may differ depending on where you live. 

Find Thriving Kids supports in your area.

What happens if your child is already on the NDIS?

Children aged eight years and younger who have developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs will continue to be eligible for NDIS support under their existing plans until 1 January 2028.

If your child already has an NDIS plan, nothing will change immediately. Existing NDIS plans will remain the same unless they’re reviewed, varied, or replaced, or until children transition to the Scheme’s new framework planning.

After that time, children with permanent and significant disability or substantially reduced functional capacity will continue to be eligible for the NDIS if they meet the relevant criteria. 

For those with children who are no longer eligible for the NDIS, but considered suitable to receive services from Thriving Kids, services will be delivered through community programs and other pathways rather than via individual funding.

If your child is currently receiving NDIS supports, continue to follow their existing plan arrangements and speak with your National Disability Insurance Agency contact about the next steps. 

As Thriving Kids continues to roll out, there will be more information about services and how to access them. In the meantime, the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention gives families a useful starting point for understanding what quality support should look like.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis before seeking support. You know your child best. Your knowledge, questions and priorities are an important part of the conversation and should always help guide the support your child receives.