NDIS and Kids: Your Questions Answered

A Complete Q&A Guide for Parents Navigating Thriving Kids and NDIS Support

Understanding the Changes

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a new $4 billion Australian Government program designed to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. It will provide early identification, information, parenting supports, and targeted therapies to help children thrive.

Key features:

Early identification of developmental concerns
Information and navigation support for families
Evidence-based parenting programs
Allied health services (speech therapy, OT, physio, psychology)
Low-cost assistive technology
Services delivered where children live, learn and play

When does Thriving Kids start?

Timeline:

1 October 2026: State services begin rolling out
1 January 2028: Full implementation and NDIS access changes take effect

What this means for you:

More information about how to access services will be shared closer to the start date
If your child is currently in the NDIS, continue with your current plan until further notice
Start familiarizing yourself with Thriving Kids now to prepare

How will this affect my child's NDIS access?

If your child is ALREADY enrolled in NDIS before 1 January 2028:

Children with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will be reassessed using the eligibility criteria in place on 31 December 2027
Children with high support needs or permanent and significant disability will remain in the NDIS
You will receive advance notice before any changes to your child's plan

If you're applying AFTER 1 January 2028:

Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay/autism and low-moderate needs will be directed to Thriving Kids
Children with high support needs or significant permanent disability can still apply for NDIS

Children who will ALWAYS remain NDIS eligible:

Children with permanent and significant disability
Children with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs)

Understanding Support Needs

What does "support needs" mean?

"Support needs" refers to your child's abilities and functional capacity—what they can and cannot do—rather than just their diagnosis.

This approach:

Focuses on your child's individual needs
Matches children to the right level of support
Recognizes that children with the same diagnosis can have very different support requirements

Example: Two children with autism might have very different support needs:

One child may need minimal support and benefit from parenting strategies and occasional therapy → Low-moderate needs → Thriving Kids
Another child may require 24/7 support, intensive behavior intervention, and specialized equipment → High needs → NDIS

What are "low to moderate support needs"?

Children with low to moderate support needs typically:

Can participate in most daily activities with some help or accommodations
Are making developmental progress with early intervention
Benefit from parenting strategies and community-based therapies
May need support in specific areas (communication, social skills, sensory processing) but not across all areas of life
Can participate in mainstream early childhood education with adjustments

Examples:

Speech delay responding to speech therapy
Mild autism with social communication challenges
Motor skill delays improving with physiotherapy
Learning differences benefiting from educational support

What are "high support needs" or "substantially reduced functional capacity"?

Children with high support needs typically:

Require substantial ongoing support for most daily activities
Have permanent and significant disability
Need intensive, specialized interventions
May require assistive technology or equipment
Have complex medical or behavioral needs

Examples:

Severe/profound autism requiring 24/7 support
Intellectual disability with significant functional impact
Cerebral palsy requiring mobility aids and personal care support
Multiple complex disabilities
Severe behavioral challenges requiring specialized intervention
Non-verbal children requiring augmentative communication systems

My child has autism—are they automatically eligible for NDIS or Thriving Kids?

No—diagnosis alone doesn't determine eligibility. Support needs do.

Autism with low-moderate support needs → Thriving Kids (from 2028)

Can communicate needs (verbally or with AAC)
Participates in family and community activities with support
Manages school/childcare with accommodations
Benefits from early intervention therapies

Autism with high support needs → NDIS

Requires substantial support for daily living
Significant communication challenges
Severe behavioral challenges
Limited participation without intensive support

Every child is unique—assessments will determine which system best meets your child's needs.

Accessing Support

Is Thriving Kids "one size fits all"?

No. Thriving Kids offers a range of different services and supports tailored to individual needs.

Your child's journey might include:

Just information and parenting resources
Supported playgroups and peer support
One-on-one allied health therapy
Group therapy sessions
Intensive family capacity building
A combination of several supports

Key principle: Each child's needs and circumstances guide which Thriving Kids services are best for them and their family.

How will I know what supports my child needs?

Nationally consistent functional needs assessment will:

Evaluate your child's abilities across multiple areas (communication, mobility, social skills, self-care, learning)
Consider family circumstances and goals
Match your child to appropriate level and type of support
Be reviewed regularly as your child develops

You'll also have access to:

Local navigation support to help understand options
National helpline for information and guidance
Online tools to explore available services

Does my child need a formal diagnosis to access Thriving Kids?

No—access is based on developmental support needs, not diagnosis.

Why this matters:

Getting a formal diagnosis can take months or years
Early support shouldn't wait for diagnosis
Some children have developmental delays that may not meet diagnostic criteria but still benefit from support
Functional assessment focuses on what your child needs right now

However: Some targeted supports (especially allied health) may work toward diagnostic assessment as part of the support process.

Can my child access both Thriving Kids and NDIS?

No—children will be supported through the system best suited to their needs:

Thriving Kids for developmental delay/autism with low-moderate support needs (aged 8 and under)
NDIS for permanent significant disability or high support needs (any age)

Transition between systems: If your child's needs increase significantly, reassessment for NDIS eligibility can occur. If your child ages out of Thriving Kids (turns 9), they'll be reassessed to determine ongoing support needs.

Services and Delivery

What services will state and territory governments deliver?

States and territories will provide:

Routine child development and health assessments
General parenting supports and programs
Local information, advice and navigation support
Targeted allied health supports (speech, OT, physio, psychology)
Workforce capability measures

This means: Services will be delivered locally, tailored to your region's needs and community.

What will the Australian Government deliver?

National measures include:

National awareness campaigns about developmental delay and autism
National website with comprehensive information and resources
National phone helpline for advice and wayfinding
Online/digital information services accessible 24/7
Workforce initiatives to build capability across sectors
National program evaluation to ensure Thriving Kids is working effectively

This means: No matter where you live in Australia, you'll have access to consistent, high-quality information and support.

Will services be different in different states?

National model ensures consistency, but local delivery may vary based on:

Existing services in your state/territory
Regional vs metropolitan location
Cultural and community needs
Provider availability

Examples of differences:

Some states may have more in-person group programs
Rural areas may have more telehealth options
Urban areas might have more provider choices
Cultural programs tailored to local communities

What stays the same:

Core types of supports available
Quality standards
Access process
Neuro-affirming, family-centered approach

Community Consultation and Design

Who was involved in designing Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids was designed with input from:

Thriving Kids Advisory Group:

Co-chaired by Professor Frank Oberklaid AM (expert in child health and development)
Included members with expertise in:
- Paediatrics and child development
- Disability and lived experience
- Child and family services
- Healthcare and allied health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
- Research and academics
- Early education and schools
Included parent representatives with lived experience of seeking support for children with developmental delay or disability

Broader consultation:

Independent Review of the NDIS: Community input on how to improve the system
Public consultations on Foundational Supports (Sept-Dec 2024): Over 4,000 people and organizations contributed
Parliamentary Inquiry into Thriving Kids (published Dec 2025):
- 1,194 survey responses
- Almost 500 groups and individuals made submissions or appeared at hearings
- Federal, state and territory agencies
- Industry groups and peak bodies
- Academics and medical organizations
- Health practitioners
- General public and families

Advisory Group engagement activities:

5 detailed deep-dive workshops with stakeholders
Forums with people with lived experience (Oct-Dec 2025)
Targeted sessions supported by engagement specialists
Expert stakeholder network consultations
State and territory representative input

How were Advisory Group members selected?

Selection criteria:

Type and level of expertise required
Representation across different demographics
Intersectional backgrounds (including cultural diversity, disability, geography)
Ability to contribute to specific aspects of the model design

Process:

Conducted in accordance with departmental policies for external committee appointments
Transparent and merit-based
Focused on bringing diverse perspectives together

State and territory involvement: Representatives contributed knowledge of local service systems and acted as connections to other jurisdictions.

Were families with lived experience involved?

Yes—extensively:

Direct involvement:

Lived experience parent representatives on the Advisory Group
Targeted sessions with families (supported by engagement specialists The Social Deck)
Survey responses from over 1,190 people
Submissions to Parliamentary Inquiry
Public hearings where families shared their stories

What families told us informed:

Types of supports needed
How services should be delivered
What makes supports accessible
Cultural considerations
Regional and rural needs
What works and what doesn't in current systems

Will governments continue to consult as Thriving Kids rolls out?

Yes—ongoing engagement is a priority.

Australian Government will engage with:

Parents, families and carers
Disability representative organizations
Community service providers
Allied health professionals and peak bodies
Early childhood education and care sector
Schools and education departments
Health professionals
Experts and academics
First Nations and culturally diverse communities

How engagement will happen:

Established governance forums and reference groups
Targeted engagement with lived experience families
Provider and professional consultations
Peak body and professional association partnerships
Communication products to keep community informed
State and territory coordination to ensure aligned services

Support Philosophy and Approach

What does "neuro-affirming" mean?

Neuro-affirming approaches:

Celebrate neurodiversity and different ways of thinking and being
Don't try to make children "normal"—support them to thrive as they are
Respect autistic identity and neurodivergent experiences
Focus on building on strengths, not just "fixing" deficits
Recognize that different doesn't mean less-than

In practice this means:

Therapies focus on functional skills that matter to the child and family, not compliance
Sensory needs are accommodated, not suppressed
Communication is supported in whatever form works (verbal, AAC, signing)
Stimming and self-regulation strategies are respected
Goals are set with families, honoring their values and the child's identity

What does "family-centered" mean?

Family-centered care recognizes:

Parents/carers are experts on their child
Family context matters for outcomes
Supports should fit into family life, not disrupt it
Cultural backgrounds and values must be respected
Siblings and extended family are part of the picture

In practice this means:

Families are active partners in decision-making
Services delivered in natural environments (home, childcare, community)
Strategies families can use in everyday activities
Support for whole family, not just the child
Flexible service delivery to match family schedules

What does "strengths-based" mean?

Strengths-based approaches:

Start with what the child CAN do
Build on existing abilities and interests
Use strengths to develop other areas
Recognize every child has unique gifts
Foster confidence and self-esteem

Example: A child who loves dinosaurs and has strong visual memory but struggles with speech:

Use dinosaur play to motivate communication
Use visual supports to build language
Celebrate expertise in dinosaurs as a strength
Build social connections through shared interest

Practical Questions

What if my child turns 9—can they still access Thriving Kids?

No—Thriving Kids is specifically for children aged 8 and under.

When your child turns 9:

Thriving Kids supports will end
They'll be reassessed to determine ongoing support needs
Options may include:
- Mainstream services (if needs have reduced)
- NDIS (if significant ongoing disability)
- Other community supports
- School-based supports

Planning ahead:

Transition planning should start well before your child turns 9
Navigation support will help you understand next steps
Build skills and family capacity while in Thriving Kids

What if my child's needs change?

Needs can go up or down—the system should be responsive.

If needs increase:

Request reassessment for more intensive supports
May become eligible for NDIS if needs become high
Can access additional Thriving Kids supports

If needs decrease:

Natural step-down to less intensive supports
Ongoing access to information and parenting resources
Can step back up if needed

Regular reviews ensure supports match current needs.

What if I disagree with my child's assessment?

You have rights to:

Request a review of the assessment
Provide additional information or reports
Access advocacy support
Seek second opinions from health professionals

Process details for appeals and reviews will be provided closer to Thriving Kids rollout.

Can I choose my child's therapists and providers?

Choice and control are priorities:

You'll have options of providers in your area
Can change providers if not a good fit
Input into therapy goals and approaches
Say in how services are delivered

Practical limitations:

Provider availability in your region
Waitlists for popular providers
Balance between choice and timely access

Will there be waitlists for Thriving Kids services?

Governments are working to ensure:

Sufficient workforce capacity
Services available when families need them
Waitlist management strategies

Reality: Some high-demand services (like speech therapy) may have waitlists, especially initially. Navigation support will help you access available services while waiting.

Workforce initiatives are part of Thriving Kids to build capacity in allied health and early childhood sectors.

What about culturally appropriate supports?

Thriving Kids is designed to be culturally safe and responsive:

For First Nations families:

Culturally appropriate programs and services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives embedded in design
Connection to community-controlled health organizations
Recognition of cultural strengths and kinship

For culturally and linguistically diverse families:

Services in community languages where possible
Cultural navigators and interpreters
Culturally specific programs
Recognition of diverse parenting practices and family structures

For all families:

Respect for cultural values
Flexible approaches
Community partnerships

What about families in regional, rural and remote areas?

Thriving Kids recognizes unique challenges in rural areas:

Strategies include:

Telehealth and online service delivery
Visiting specialists and therapy blocks
Enhanced local capacity building
Navigation support for dispersed services
Travel assistance where needed
Innovative models (e.g., group therapy camps)

National digital services ensure all families have baseline access to information and advice regardless of location.

Getting Ready

What should I do now to prepare for Thriving Kids?

If your child is currently in NDIS: