NSW Families · Thriving Kids Reform
Thriving Kids is a new government program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. Some details for NSW are still being confirmed. Call us and we'll talk you through what's changing and what's available for your child now, through Medicare, the NDIS or privately.
Thriving Kids is being set up by the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with $4 billion in joint funding over five years. It is for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and for their families. It sits outside the NDIS, and it doesn't give families an individual funding budget. In NSW, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is organising the services.
Your child won't need a diagnosis to get support through Thriving Kids. For more targeted help, access will be based on your child's needs. NSW says it will publish details about eligibility and intake before services start.
In NSW, the first supports for families are due to start from October 2026. Targeted supports, including allied health therapy, are due from January 2027. All supports are due to be in place by 1 January 2028.
The Australian and NSW governments have agreed supports will be designed to be affordable for families. NSW hasn't published details about costs yet. We'll update this page when it does.
The Australian Government lists psychology as one of the allied health supports that may be offered to children who need targeted help. In NSW, how private practices like ours could be involved is still being worked out. We'll share updates here.
Governments have agreed a national model for Thriving Kids. Each state adapts it to local needs, so services in NSW may look different from other states. Here's how the Australian Government describes the supports.
Routine health and development checks, including a new Medicare Healthy Kids Check for 3-year-olds with a GP, due to start from 1 November 2026. If you're concerned about your child's development now, talk to your GP or child and family health nurse.
A national Medicare Thriving Kids phone line, an autism information and advice helpline, and an online hub with a service finder. NSW will also offer local help to find services. More details will be shared as these services start.
Programs that help families support their child's development, such as supported playgroups, peer support groups, parenting programs and online courses. In NSW, supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under, and peer support and parenting programs, are due to start from October 2026. Local community organisations will run them.
For children who need extra help for a set time. This can include allied health such as speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or psychology, one-on-one or in small groups. In NSW, targeted supports are due from January 2027, through a central intake run by DCJ. Supports are goal-focused and coordinated for each family.
Who can get into the NDIS doesn't change until 1 January 2028. Children aged 8 and under who are in the NDIS before then will continue to receive supports, subject to the usual NDIS rules. Their reassessments will use the rules in place before 1 January 2028. Once they turn 9, they'll be reassessed under the new rules.
From 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs will be supported through Thriving Kids instead of the NDIS. Children with permanent and significant disability, including developmental delay or autism with high support needs, stay eligible for the NDIS, subject to the usual rules. Separate NDIS changes, including to some plan budgets, are also rolling out from October 2026. The NDIS can explain how they affect your child's plan on 1800 800 110.
Thriving Kids is new, and some details are still being worked out. Here's what we know so far, based on Australian and NSW Government information. Last reviewed: September 2026.
You don't need to wait for Thriving Kids. If you're concerned about your child's development, talk to your GP or child and family health nurse. Our psychologists assess, diagnose and provide therapy for children now. Medicare rebates may be available with a referral from your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist, and eligibility rules apply. Call Client Care on 1300 151 110 to hear what's available for your child, through Medicare, the NDIS or privately. You can also send an enquiry.
Thriving Kids starting in October doesn't change who can get into the NDIS. That doesn't change until 1 January 2028. Children aged 8 and under who are in the NDIS before then will continue to receive supports, subject to the usual rules, and will be reassessed under the rules in place before 1 January 2028. Once they turn 9, they'll be reassessed under the new rules. Children with permanent and significant disability, including developmental delay or autism with high support needs, stay eligible. Separate NDIS changes to some plan budgets are also rolling out, so check with the NDIS about your child's plan.
No. Your child won't need a diagnosis. For targeted supports, access will be based on your child's needs, and NSW will publish more about eligibility and intake before those services start. Some families still choose a psychological assessment to understand their child's strengths and needs. Our psychologists assess and diagnose, and your report sets out the findings and recommendations.
How private practices like ours could be involved in NSW is still being worked out. DCJ is commissioning non-government organisations, with a preference for not-for-profits, and has said it is exploring a panel for private allied health practitioners. We'll update this page as that becomes clear. In the meantime, our psychologists assess, diagnose and provide therapy for children through Medicare, the NDIS or privately. Call Client Care on 1300 151 110 to talk it through.
This hasn't been confirmed yet. The Australian and NSW governments have agreed supports will be designed to be affordable for families. NSW hasn't published details about costs so far. We'll update this page when it does.
It depends on what you need. Thriving Kids won't need a diagnosis. The NDIS has its own evidence rules, and they change for new applicants from 1 January 2028. Some families choose an assessment to understand their child's strengths and needs, and to plan support at home, preschool or school. Our psychologists assess and diagnose, and your report sets out the findings and recommendations. Client Care can help you work out if an assessment is the right next step.
Call Client Care on 1300 151 110, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or send an enquiry. We'll talk through what's available for your child now, whether an assessment could help, and your options through Medicare, the NDIS or privately. As NSW releases details about Thriving Kids services, we can point you to them. You choose what's right for your family.
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