NDIS Policy Update
The Australian Government's Thriving Kids program begins rolling out from October 2026. It changes how children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism access support. Here is what it means for your family.
Thriving Kids is a joint program between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, backed by $4 billion in funding over five years. It supports children aged 8 and under with low to moderate developmental delay and/or autism. Unlike the NDIS, this is not an individual funding package. Services are commissioned and delivered by states and territories with no gap fees for families.
Access is determined by a functional needs assessment focused on what your child actually needs, not a formal diagnosis.
State services begin rolling out no later than 1 October 2026, with full national availability by 1 January 2028.
Psychology is a confirmed Targeted Support discipline alongside occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and audiology.
Thriving Kids is a joint program between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, backed by $4 billion in funding over five years. It supports children aged 8 and under with low to moderate developmental delay and/or autism. Unlike the NDIS, this is not an individual funding package. Services are commissioned and delivered by states and territories with no gap fees for families.
Access is determined by a functional needs assessment focused on what your child actually needs, not a formal diagnosis.
State services begin rolling out no later than 1 October 2026, with full national availability by 1 January 2028.
Psychology is a confirmed Targeted Support discipline alongside occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and audiology.
NDIS Policy Update
The Australian Government's Thriving Kids program begins rolling out from October 2026. It changes how children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism access support. Here is what it means for your family.
The Thriving Kids Advisory Group's final report (February 2026) confirmed a four-pillar service model:
Early identification activities for parents, educators, GPs, and community workers.
A new bulk-billed Medicare developmental health check at age 3 for early identification of developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences. GPs and practice nurses can complete this check.
A national digital and phone service plus local navigation support to help families find the right services.
Available without formal assessment. Includes online courses, peer groups, supported playgroups, and family programs.
Allied health services including psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and audiology. Delivered in everyday settings including homes, schools, and early childhood centres. A Key Worker coordinates across providers. No gap fees for families.
Children with higher support needs continue to access the NDIS. Thriving Kids is specifically designed for children with low to moderate needs who may benefit from earlier, more accessible support through mainstream services.
Key differences include a functional needs assessment instead of diagnosis-based access, services delivered through state health systems and registered providers, a new bulk-billed developmental check at age 3, and a Key Worker model where one clinician coordinates your child's care across providers.
If your child is currently on an NDIS plan, your existing plan and services continue. Children already enrolled in the NDIS are reassessed under the pre-existing eligibility criteria, not the new Thriving Kids criteria. No child is automatically removed from the NDIS.
From 1 January 2028, new NDIS access criteria only apply to new applicants. Children with high support needs remain fully NDIS-eligible regardless. Thriving Kids complements the NDIS by providing earlier, more accessible support for children with lower-level needs.
October 2026: State services begin rolling out
January 2028: Full national availability
Now: Provider registration and service design underway in each state
Our psychologists deliver evidence-based assessment and early intervention for children with developmental delay and autism. With 32 psychologists across four clinics, we have the capacity to support families through the Thriving Kids transition and help you understand your child's pathway.
Whether your child is currently on the NDIS, may be eligible for Thriving Kids, or you are concerned about their development, we can help you navigate the options including Medicare, NDIS, and the new Thriving Kids pathways.
Contact us to discuss your child's needsOr call us on (02) 8378 2544
Our psychologists deliver evidence-based assessment and early intervention for children with developmental delay and autism. With 32 psychologists across four clinics, we have the capacity to support families through the Thriving Kids transition and help you understand your child's pathway.
Whether your child is currently on the NDIS, may be eligible for Thriving Kids, or you are concerned about their development, we can help you navigate the options including Medicare, NDIS, and the new Thriving Kids pathways.
Contact us to discuss your child's needsOr call us on (02) 8378 2544
The Thriving Kids Advisory Group's final report (February 2026) confirmed a four-pillar service model:
Early identification activities for parents, educators, GPs, and community workers.
A new bulk-billed Medicare developmental health check at age 3 for early identification of developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences. GPs and practice nurses can complete this check.
A national digital and phone service plus local navigation support to help families find the right services.
Available without formal assessment. Includes online courses, peer groups, supported playgroups, and family programs.
Allied health services including psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and audiology. Delivered in everyday settings including homes, schools, and early childhood centres. A Key Worker coordinates across providers. No gap fees for families.
Children with higher support needs continue to access the NDIS. Thriving Kids is specifically designed for children with low to moderate needs who may benefit from earlier, more accessible support through mainstream services.
Key differences include a functional needs assessment instead of diagnosis-based access, services delivered through state health systems and registered providers, a new bulk-billed developmental check at age 3, and a Key Worker model where one clinician coordinates your child's care across providers.
If your child is currently on an NDIS plan, your existing plan and services continue. Children already enrolled in the NDIS are reassessed under the pre-existing eligibility criteria, not the new Thriving Kids criteria. No child is automatically removed from the NDIS.
From 1 January 2028, new NDIS access criteria only apply to new applicants. Children with high support needs remain fully NDIS-eligible regardless. Thriving Kids complements the NDIS by providing earlier, more accessible support for children with lower-level needs.
October 2026: State services begin rolling out
January 2028: Full national availability
Now: Provider registration and service design underway in each state