NSW Families · Thriving Kids Reform
If your child is under 8 and has developmental delay or autism, this new program will change how you access support. We help NSW families understand what's changing, what's available now through Medicare and the NDIS, and what to do next.
Thriving Kids is a joint Commonwealth and state program, backed by $4 billion over five years. It supports children aged 8 and under with low to moderate developmental delay and/or autism. Unlike the NDIS, it is not an individual funding package. Services are commissioned and delivered by states, with no gap fees for families.
Access is based on a functional needs assessment, not a formal diagnostic label. This is a significant shift from the NDIS model.
State services begin rolling out no later than 1 October 2026. Full national availability by 1 January 2028.
Targeted allied health supports (psychology, OT, speech, physio, audiology) are delivered with no out-of-pocket cost to families.
Psychology is a confirmed Targeted Support discipline. How private practices participate is being finalised by NSW. We're monitoring closely.
The Advisory Group's February 2026 final report, endorsed by National Cabinet, confirmed a four-pillar model. Here is how each part works and what it means for your family.
A new bulk-billed Medicare developmental health check at age 3, completed by GPs or practice nurses. It replaces the defunct Healthy Kids Check and identifies neurodevelopmental differences early.
A national digital and phone service plus local navigation support. Helps parents understand what is available and connect to the right services, without requiring a diagnosis first.
Funded workshops, peer support groups, supported playgroups, and family programs. Focus on self-advocacy, capacity-building, and practical tools for home and community.
Psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and audiology. Delivered in everyday settings like homes, schools and early childhood centres. A Key Worker coordinates across providers. No gap fees for families.
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 of the transition. Thriving Kids complements the NDIS by providing earlier, more accessible support for children with lower-level needs.
The Thriving Kids landscape is new, fast-moving, and generates a lot of confusion. Here are clear answers to the questions we hear most often from parents in Unbound's corridors.
Do not wait for October 2026. The Medicare pathway (Better Access) gives your child up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year with a GP-issued Mental Health Treatment Plan. This pathway is available today, works alongside Thriving Kids, and is how most of our child and family clients are currently funded. Book an enquiry and our team will walk you through it.
Yes. If your child already has an NDIS plan, it continues. Reassessments will apply the pre-existing eligibility criteria, not the new Thriving Kids rules. No child is automatically removed, and children with high support needs remain NDIS-eligible regardless of the transition.
No. This is a fundamental shift from the NDIS model. Access is based on a functional needs assessment, not a diagnostic label. That said, many families still pursue a diagnosis for school accommodations, understanding their child, or future NDIS access if their needs change over time.
Psychology is a confirmed Targeted Support discipline. How private practices like ours are commissioned to deliver services is being finalised by NSW, with the implementation plan due 31 May 2026. We will confirm specifics once details are released. In the meantime, we support families through Medicare (up to 10 sessions per year via GP referral) and the NDIS if your child is already a participant.
No. The Advisory Group's final report confirms that targeted allied health supports under Thriving Kids will be delivered with no out-of-pocket cost to families.
It depends on what you need the assessment for. If your child's needs are higher and you are applying for the NDIS, yes, diagnostic evidence is still required. If you are considering Thriving Kids for lower-level support, a functional assessment may be enough. If you want a diagnosis for school accommodations, future planning, or clarity as a family, that remains a valid reason. Our team will help you decide what is right for your situation.
Book an enquiry. Our intake team will walk through what is currently available, whether an assessment makes sense for your family, and which funding pathway (Medicare, NDIS, or Thriving Kids) fits best. We do not force a pathway. We help you understand the options.
