Thriving Kids - Delays

What is it?

Scheduled to start October 2026, the ‘Thriving Kids’ program is a Commonwealth Government initiative created for children aged 8 and under with low-to-moderate support needs, including developmental delay and autism. The primary purpose of the program is to provide early intervention for children who are not classified as having a “significant and permanent” disability and to reduce reliance on NDIS funding.

How does it work?

Unlike the NDIS, the Thriving Kids program doesn’t require a formal diagnosis, allowing for quicker intervention and greater potential to save families money. The program will be directly linked to time-oriented developmental goals, rather than the alternative use of funding packages provided by the NDIS.

The program centres around three stages, the first being identification. In this model, support needs may be identified by a family member, school or health professional.

The next stage is about “entry points”, focusing on families being connected to the most appropriate supports for their needs. For example, online directories will assist families in finding the supports, and educational resources will also be available.

What supports will be provided?

In this model, supports are classified into four key groups for families:

• “Low need”

• “Moderate need”

• “Low to moderate need”  

• “Significant permanent disability”

The available supports will be dependent on the classification. These will range from “empowering parent-led approaches” such as targeted parenting courses for families classified into the first group, to more targeted supports that can be delivered via speech and occupational therapies for the second and third.

Families classified into the fourth key group will still be eligible to access the NDIS, and those on the scheme prior to 2028 will remain on it.

What Next?

Despite continuous delays from the initial expected commencement of July 2026, the Thriving Kids program is now anticipated to commence no later than 1 October 2026, and is set to be fully operative by January 2028.