Thriving Kids is a new government program planned to start on 1 July 2026. It is designed for children aged 8 and under who have mild to moderate developmental delay or autism, with supports delivered in everyday settings like early learning, schools, and local health services. It sits outside the NDIS and is part of the government’s “foundational supports” system. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be supported by the NDIS.
The aim is to help children earlier and closer to home, and to keep the NDIS sustainable by ensuring the scheme focuses on people with permanent and significant disability. The Commonwealth has committed $2 billion over five years, with states and territories expected to co-fund and deliver services.
If your child has an NDIS plan today, there is no automatic removal. The NDIS will continue to support children with significant and permanent support needs. Any changes will occur alongside new supports being available.
The NDIS Early Childhood Approach (for children under 9) is still in place today.
Children under 9 with mild to moderate needs may be supported through Thriving Kids rather than through an NDIS plan. Services are intended to be delivered through mainstream and community settings such as GPs, child health clinics, early learning, schools, playgroups, and digital or phone supports. Full rollout is expected to phase in through mid-2027.
Earlier identification of developmental concerns.
Local, everyday supports that are easier to access.
A national, consistent system of foundational supports for young children and their families.
➡️ Will children with autism be removed from NDIS?
The government states Thriving Kids is for low to moderate support needs and that the NDIS will continue to support children with significant and permanent disability.
➡️ When does it start?
1 July 2026, with staged implementation to mid-2027.
➡️ What services will Thriving Kids include?
Early supports delivered through local health, early learning, schools, and community services. Detailed service lists are still being developed.
1️⃣ Stay informed
Follow the Department of Health’s Thriving Kids page and fact sheet for updates and timelines. We also recommend keeping an eye on NDIS Review resources about foundational supports.
2️⃣ Keep your child’s documentation current
Maintain recent reports, therapy notes, and goal updates. These help with any future reassessments or transitions. (General best practice aligned with NDIS Early Childhood Approach.)
3️⃣ Ask providers specific questions
If Thriving Kids applies to our child, what would change day-to-day?
Which supports would continue under Thriving Kids, and where would they be delivered?
What evidence is needed to demonstrate ongoing significant and permanent needs for NDIS eligibility?
These questions reflect areas not yet fully defined publicly.
4️⃣ Add your voice
Participate in consultations and submissions as they open, so family experiences shape the final design. Media and expert commentary highlight the importance of community input.
5️⃣ Plan for either pathway
Keep working toward your child’s goals now. If your child’s needs are significant and permanent, your NDIS supports continue. If needs are mild to moderate, Thriving Kids is intended to provide earlier, local help once it starts.
There are no immediate changes to current NDIS plans. From July 2026, some children aged under nine with mild to moderate needs may begin accessing supports through the new Thriving Kids program instead of the NDIS. The NDIS will continue to support children with permanent and significant disabilities. Families can expect more information to be released over the next year, outlining eligibility, available services, and how the transition process will work.
Since this article was published, the Australian Government has released a new national model for Thriving Kids, providing clearer detail on how the program will operate, who it is for, and how it will work alongside the NDIS. If you would like to understand what has been confirmed so far and what families can expect next, you can read our full breakdown of the new Thriving Kids model here.
