The Australian Government has now released a national model for Thriving Kids, a new early childhood support program that will sit outside the NDIS. The model outlines how supports will be delivered to young children with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
This article explains what the model is, who it applies to, how it will work, and how it interacts with the NDIS, based only on confirmed information from government and national reporting.
Thriving Kids is a new program designed to support children aged 0 to 8 years with developmental delay or autism who do not meet the threshold for the NDIS or who have lower support needs.
It forms part of the government’s broader reform following the NDIS Review and is intended to provide earlier, community-based supports through mainstream services rather than individualised NDIS plans.
The government has stated that the NDIS should focus on people with permanent and significant disability, while other children should have access to appropriate supports earlier and closer to home.
The Thriving Kids model provides a framework for how these supports will be delivered nationally, with the aim of:
According to the released model and government fact sheets, Thriving Kids will focus on:
Children may be identified through families, early learning services, schools, GPs, or other health professionals.
Parents and carers will receive information, guidance, and practical support to help them respond to their child’s developmental needs.
Services may include support from qualified professionals such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and audiologists, depending on local delivery arrangements.
Supports under the Thriving Kids model are intended to be targeted and time-limited, matched to a child’s level of need, rather than ongoing individualised funding like the NDIS.
Supports will be delivered through existing community, health, and education settings, rather than through individual funding packages.
The model clearly states:
The model outlines a staged rollout:
Under the model:
Children already on the NDIS are not being removed immediately
Over time, children with lower support needs may be supported through Thriving Kids instead of entering or remaining in the NDIS
The NDIS will continue to provide individualised funding and plans for children with higher and ongoing support needs
The government has stated that changes will occur alongside the availability of new supports, rather than before them.
While the model provides a national framework, several details are still to be finalised, including:
Exact eligibility processes
Service availability by location
How transitions between Thriving Kids and the NDIS will work in practice
More information is expected as agreements with states and territories progress.
At this stage:
There are no immediate changes to current NDIS plans
Families should continue accessing existing supports
Keeping reports, assessments, and documentation up to date remains important
Thriving Kids is intended to expand early supports, not remove assistance without alternatives in place.
The release of the Thriving Kids model provides greater clarity about how early childhood supports will operate outside the NDIS in the future. While further details are still to come, the model confirms that children with significant and permanent disabilities will continue to receive individualised support through the NDIS, while new pathways are developed for children with lower support needs.
Support Agency will continue to monitor updates and share confirmed information as it becomes available.
Thriving Kids is a national framework for delivering early childhood supports outside the NDIS to children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism.
Children aged 0 to 8 years with lower support needs. Children with significant and permanent disability will remain supported by the NDIS.
No. Thriving Kids is designed to support children who do not need an individualised NDIS plan. The NDIS will continue for children who meet eligibility requirements.
The model outlines a staged rollout from late 2026, with broader implementation continuing through 2027 and into 2028.
Supports may include developmental services delivered through mainstream settings, such as health, education, and community services. Exact services will depend on local delivery arrangements.
The government has stated there are no immediate changes to current participants. Any future transitions will occur alongside new supports being available.
No. Eligibility processes, service availability, and transition pathways are still being finalised with state and territory governments.
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care – Thriving Kids fact sheets and program information
ABC News, Thriving Kids model released for children with developmental delay and autism
