NDIS and Kids: A Parent's Guide to Thriving Kids and NDIS Support

 A comprehensive guide for families navigating disability support for children in Australia

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About This Guide

This guide helps Australian families understand support options for children aged 8 and under with developmental delays, autism, or disabilities. Whether your child needs the NDIS or will access Thriving Kids services, this resource explains what's available and how to access it.

Last Updated: June 2026

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Changes: NDIS and Thriving Kids
2. Is My Child Eligible for NDIS or Thriving Kids?
3. What is Thriving Kids?
4. NDIS for Children: When High Support is Needed
5. Services Available Under Thriving Kids
6. How to Access Support for Your Child
7. Timeline: When Services Start
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Resources and Next Steps

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1. Understanding the Changes: NDIS and Thriving Kids

The Big Picture

The Australian Government is investing $4 billion over five years to create a better support system for young children with developmental needs. This system is called Thriving Kids.

What's changing:

• From 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with low to moderate support needs will access support through Thriving Kids instead of the NDIS
• Children with high support needs or permanent and significant disability will continue to access the NDIS
• Services begin rolling out from 1 October 2026

What's NOT changing:

• The NDIS continues for children with significant disabilities
• Quality of care and support remains a priority
• Early intervention is still emphasized

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Who This Affects

✅ Thriving Kids is for:

• Children aged 0-8 years
• Developmental delay
• Autism with low to moderate support needs
• Families needing guidance and resources

✅ NDIS continues for:

• Children with permanent and significant disability
• Children with high support needs
• Children of any age meeting NDIS eligibility criteria

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2. Is My Child Eligible for NDIS or Thriving Kids?

Quick Decision Tool

Answer these questions:

Question 1: How old is your child?

• 8 years or under → Continue to Question 2
• 9 years or older → NDIS eligibility applies (standard criteria)

Question 2: What best describes your child's needs?

A) Low to Moderate Support Needs Your child:

• Has developmental delays but is making progress
• Needs some support but can participate in most activities with help
• Would benefit from early intervention therapies
• May have autism but manages daily activities with family support

→ Likely eligible for Thriving Kids (from 1 January 2028)

B) High Support Needs Your child:

• Has significant, permanent disability
• Requires substantial ongoing support for daily activities
• Has complex medical or behavioral needs
• Needs intensive therapy or specialized equipment

→ Likely eligible for NDIS

Question 3: Is your child already enrolled in NDIS?

Enrolled before 1 January 2028:

• Your child will be reassessed using the criteria in place on 31 December 2027
• If they have low-moderate needs, they may transition to Thriving Kids
• If they have high needs, they will remain in NDIS

Not yet enrolled:

• From 1 January 2028, new NDIS applications for children 0-8 with developmental delay/autism will be assessed against new criteria
• Low-moderate needs → directed to Thriving Kids
• High needs → NDIS pathway

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Understanding Support Levels

Low to Moderate Support Needs Examples:

Developmental Delay:

• Speech is delayed but progressing with speech therapy
• Motor skills are behind peers but improving
• Learning difficulties that respond to intervention
• Social skills need support but child can participate in group activities

Autism (Low-Moderate):

• Manages school with some accommodations
• Communicates needs (verbally or with AAC)
• Can participate in family and community activities with support
• Benefits from structured routines and clear expectations

High Support Needs Examples:

Significant Disability:

• Profound intellectual disability
• Severe autism requiring 24/7 support
• Multiple complex disabilities
• Medical equipment dependency (wheelchairs, feeding tubes, ventilators)
• Severe behavioral challenges requiring specialized management
• Non-verbal with limited communication methods

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3. What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a new nationwide program designed to give children aged 8 and under the best possible start in life by identifying developmental concerns early and connecting families to the right supports.

Core Philosophy

Thriving Kids is:

• Neuro-affirming: Celebrates neurodiversity and different ways of being
• Family-centered: Recognizes parents/carers as experts on their child
• Strengths-based: Focuses on building on what your child CAN do
• Evidence-informed: Uses approaches proven to work
• Culturally safe: Respects diverse backgrounds and experiences

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The Five Support Domains

1️⃣ Community Awareness and Early Identification

What it means: Helping families, educators, and communities recognize when a child might need extra support.

What's included:

• Public education campaigns about childhood development
• Training for early childhood educators to spot developmental differences
• Resources for parents to understand developmental milestones
• Community programs promoting acceptance of neurodiversity

Why it matters: The earlier developmental differences are identified, the sooner children can access helpful supports.

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2️⃣ Routine Developmental Checks

What it means: Regular health and development assessments as part of standard childhood healthcare.

What's included:

• Developmental screening at key ages (6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 4 years)
• Health checks that look at physical, cognitive, and social development
• Referral pathways if concerns are identified

Delivered by:

• State and territory health services
• Maternal and child health nurses
• GPs and pediatricians

Why it matters: Catches developmental concerns early when intervention is most effective.

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3️⃣ Information, Advice and Navigation Support

What it means: Easy access to reliable information and someone to help you find the right supports.

What's included:

National Level (Australian Government provides):

• National website with comprehensive information about:
  • Developmental delay
  • Autism
  • Available services
  • How to access support
• National phone helpline staffed by knowledgeable advisors
• Online tools and resources you can access anytime
• Digital courses and videos for parents

Local Level (State/Territory governments provide):

• Local navigation support to help you:
  • Understand your child's needs
  • Find services in your area
  • Make appointments
  • Coordinate between different services
• One-on-one guidance tailored to your family's situation

Why it matters: Navigating support systems can be overwhelming. These services make it easier to find and access what your child needs.

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4️⃣ Parenting Supports and Programs

What it means: Programs that give you practical skills and strategies to support your child's development at home.

What's included:

Universal Supports (for all families):

• Online courses about child development
• Short videos with practical tips
• Downloadable resources and activity ideas
• Information sheets about autism and developmental delay

Targeted Programs:

• Supported playgroups (for children and parents together)
• Parent training programs teaching specific strategies
• Peer support groups (connecting with other parents)
• Family programs focused on building your child's skills through everyday activities
• Self-advocacy support (helping you speak up for your child)
• Culturally appropriate programs for diverse communities

Delivery Options:

• Online (access from home anytime)
• In-person groups
• One-on-one coaching
• Combination approaches

Why it matters: Parents are their child's first and most important teachers. These programs empower you with knowledge and skills.

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5️⃣ Targeted Supports for Children

What it means: More intensive support when parenting programs alone aren't enough.

What's included:

Allied Health Services:

• Speech pathology: Communication, language, eating/swallowing
• Occupational therapy: Daily living skills, sensory processing, fine motor skills
• Physiotherapy: Movement, gross motor skills, physical development
• Psychology: Emotional regulation, behavior support, mental health
• Audiology: Hearing assessments and support

Delivery Format:

• Group therapy sessions
• One-on-one therapy
• Mix of both based on your child's needs

Low-Cost Assistive Technology:

• Communication aids
• Sensory tools
• Adaptive equipment
• Learning aids

Intensive Capacity Building: For families with complex circumstances, additional support including:

• Help navigating multiple services
• Support through key transitions (like starting school)
• Coordination between different professionals
• Building on your family's strengths

How to Access: These supports are accessed through a nationally consistent functional needs assessment and triage process. This means:

1. Your child's needs are assessed
2. They're matched to appropriate services
3. Process is the same across Australia

Why it matters: Some children need more than general parenting support. This ensures they get therapy and specialized help when needed.

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4. NDIS for Children: When High Support is Needed

NDIS Eligibility for Children

The NDIS continues to support children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs.

NDIS Access Criteria for Children

Your child must meet ALL of these:

Age Requirement:

• Under 65 (no minimum age for children)

Residency Requirement:

• Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder

Disability Requirement: Your child's disability must be:

• Permanent: Likely to be lifelong
• Significant: Substantially reduces ability to participate in everyday activities
• Require support: Needs support to participate in daily activities

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What "High Support Needs" Means

Examples of conditions typically eligible for NDIS:

Physical Disabilities:

• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spinal cord injury
• Severe epilepsy

Intellectual Disabilities:

• Down syndrome
• Intellectual disability requiring ongoing support
• Genetic conditions affecting cognition

Developmental Disabilities:

• Autism requiring substantial support
• Global developmental delay with significant impact

Sensory Disabilities:

• Profound deafness
• Blindness or severe vision impairment

Complex Medical Conditions:

• Rare diseases requiring ongoing therapy
• Multiple disabilities

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Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)

For children under 7, the NDIS offers a specific pathway called ECEI.

ECEI is for:

• Children 0-6 years with developmental delays
• May not have a formal diagnosis yet
• Early intervention can make significant difference

ECEI Approach:

• Family-centered planning
• Focus on building skills early
• Support through key developmental stages
• Connection to both NDIS and community services

Transitioning from ECEI:

• At age 7, child transitions to standard NDIS pathway
• Reassessed for ongoing NDIS eligibility
• From 2028, this will align with Thriving Kids/NDIS eligibility changes

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NDIS Plans for Children

What's in a child's NDIS plan:

Core Supports:

• Assistance with daily personal activities
• Transport to access community and social activities
• Consumables (continence products, low-cost assistive tech)

Capacity Building:

• Early intervention therapies (OT, speech, physio, psychology)
• Support coordination
• Behavior support
• Therapeutic supports

Capital Supports:

• Assistive technology (communication devices, wheelchairs, specialized equipment)
• Home modifications
• Vehicle modifications

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5. Services Available Under Thriving Kids

How Thriving Kids Services Work

Key Principle: Services are delivered where children live, learn, and play

• At home
• In childcare and preschool
• In community settings
• In your local area

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Service Details by Type

Information and Navigation Services

National Services (Available Everywhere):

National Website:

• Comprehensive information about developmental milestones
• Autism resources
• Service finder tool
• Downloadable fact sheets and guides
• Videos explaining different topics

National Helpline:

• Speak to trained advisors
• Get questions answered
• Help understanding your child's needs
• Referrals to local services

Digital Resources:

• Online courses you can do at your own pace
• Mobile apps with activities and tips
• Email updates about new resources

Local Navigation Support:

• Face-to-face or phone meetings
• Help understanding assessment results
• Booking appointments
• Coordinating services
• Cultural navigation support
• Regional/rural-specific navigation

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Parenting Supports

What You'll Access:

Self-Directed Learning:

• Online courses (e.g., "Understanding Autism," "Building Communication Skills")
• Video libraries with practical demonstrations
• Printable activity sheets
• Progress trackers

Group Programs:

• Supported playgroups (children and parents together)
• Parent education courses (typically 6-8 weeks)
• Workshops on specific topics
• Peer support circles

Family Programs:

• In-home coaching (therapist visits to teach strategies in your environment)
• Family capacity building
• Sibling support programs
• Extended family education

Specialized Programs:

• Programs for First Nations families
• Culturally specific programs (delivered in community languages)
• Programs for isolated/rural families (telehealth options)
• Programs for families with complex needs

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Targeted Supports (Allied Health)

Types of Therapy Available:

Speech Pathology:

• Language development
• Articulation and pronunciation
• Social communication skills
• Feeding and swallowing support
• Alternative communication methods

Occupational Therapy:

• Fine motor skills (writing, using utensils)
• Self-care skills (dressing, toileting)
• Sensory processing
• Play skills
• School readiness

Physiotherapy:

• Gross motor development (walking, running, jumping)
• Balance and coordination
• Strength building
• Mobility support

Psychology:

• Emotional regulation
• Behavior strategies
• Social skills development
• Anxiety management
• Family support

Audiology:

• Hearing assessments
• Hearing aid support
• Auditory processing support

Delivery Models:

Group Therapy:

• 4-6 children with similar goals
• Learn alongside peers
• Build social skills
• Usually weekly for 6-10 week blocks
• More affordable than one-on-one

Individual Therapy:

• One-on-one with therapist
• Highly tailored to your child
• Typically weekly or fortnightly
• Can be center-based or in your home

Hybrid Model:

• Combination of group and individual
• Best of both approaches

Assessment and Triage: To access targeted supports, your child will undergo:

1. Functional needs assessment: Standardized tool assessing your child's abilities and challenges
2. Triage: Matching your child to appropriate intensity and type of service
3. Service planning: Determining frequency and duration
4. Regular review: Checking progress and adjusting as needed

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Assistive Technology and Equipment

Low-Cost Items Covered:

• Communication aids (picture cards, simple AAC devices)
• Sensory tools (weighted items, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones)
• Adaptive utensils and cups
• Positioning aids for seating
• Learning aids (visual schedules, timers)
• Mobility aids (if developmental need)

How to Access:

• Recommended by therapist
• Provided as part of therapy program
• Some items available through equipment library (borrow and return)

Higher-Cost Equipment: For children needing expensive assistive technology, NDIS may be more appropriate pathway.

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6. How to Access Support for Your Child

Step-by-Step Access Process

Step 1: Identify a Concern

Where concerns might come from:

• You notice your child is developing differently
• Childcare educator or teacher raises a concern
• Maternal and child health nurse flags something at a checkup
• GP or pediatrician identifies developmental delay
• Family member expresses worry

What to do:

• Don't wait—early support makes a difference
• Document specific concerns (examples of behaviors or skills missing)