Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government initiative that will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have low to moderate support needs, along with their families, carers and kin. The first state-based services are scheduled to start on 1 October 2026, with the program expected to operate at a national scale by 1 January 2028.
If you are a parent or carer who is worried about your child’s development, you are not alone. Many families are trying to understand where Thriving Kids fits alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and what they should do right now.
This article explains what Thriving Kids is, who it is for, what services are expected, and what the key dates mean for your family, using the public information available as of June 2026.
What is the Thriving Kids program?
Thriving Kids is the first phase of Foundational Supports reform, with governments committing to $4 billion over five years to implement it. It is designed to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and to provide help in the settings where children live, learn and play.
The Australian Government’s Thriving Kids pages also outline that the Commonwealth’s contribution is $2 billion, with at least $1.4 billion provided as direct funding to states and territories for Thriving Kids services.
Thriving Kids responds to the direction of national reform work on the NDIS, including a stronger focus on foundational supports outside the NDIS for people who need early help but do not require the full scheme.
Who is eligible for Thriving Kids?
Based on current Australian Government information, Thriving Kids is intended for:
- Children aged 0 to 8 with developmental delay and or autism, with low to moderate support needs.
- Many services are expected to be available without a formal diagnosis, particularly for early identification and family supports.
- Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs remain eligible for the NDIS, subject to usual arrangements.
If you are unsure where your child sits, the next practical step is to speak with your GP, paediatrician, or child health nurse, focusing on functional needs and daily participation rather than labels.
What services will Thriving Kids offer?
The national model describes six service categories. Exact service lists will be finalised by each state and territory, which means availability and access pathways may vary depending on where you live.
Service category |
What it is likely to include |
| Early identification | Developmental screening and earlier recognition of support needs, including pathways that help families act sooner. |
| Information and advice | Practical guidance, navigation support, and clearer “where to start” pathways for families. |
| Family and parenting support | Programs and coaching that help families support development and participation at home and in everyday settings. |
| Targeted allied health | Time-limited, targeted therapy supports for children who need extra help for a specific period. |
| Assistive technology | Supports that may include help accessing appropriate assistive technology where it improves daily function. |
| Workforce capability | Efforts to lift capability across early childhood and allied health workforces to deliver consistent, quality supports. |
When families search for “early intervention”, they are usually looking for practical help from allied health disciplines such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and where needed Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). The Thriving Kids model points to targeted allied health as a core component, but the precise delivery model will be state-based.
Key dates for Australian families
The Australian Government’s Thriving Kids timeline sets out two dates that matter most:
- 1 October 2026: rollout of state-based services is scheduled to commence.
- 1 January 2028: Thriving Kids is expected to be operating at scale nationally, ahead of changes to NDIS access arrangements for this age group.
How does Thriving Kids relate to the NDIS?
The relationship is simple in principle, even if the details can feel confusing.
- Thriving Kids is being designed to support children aged 0 to 8 with low to moderate support needs, outside the NDIS.
- From 1 January 2028, governments have agreed in principle that NDIS access arrangements will change for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have low to moderate support needs, so that support is primarily provided through Thriving Kids rather than the NDIS.
- Children with permanent and significant disability and or high support needs will continue to be eligible for the NDIS, subject to usual arrangements.
Important detail for families who already have an NDIS plan. The Australian Government information notes that children enrolled in the NDIS prior to 1 January 2028 are intended to be treated under the eligibility criteria in place prior to that date, with reassessments under the criteria that applied at the time.
Any change to NDIS access settings is implemented through government policy and, where required, legislation and rules that govern the scheme. For the purposes of family decision-making right now, the most useful step is to focus on what supports your child needs today, rather than trying to predict every future detail.
State and territory rollout at a glance
Thriving Kids is national, but delivery is state and territory-based. Here is what is publicly visible at the time of writing:
- NSW: NSW Department of Communities and Justice has published Thriving Kids information and commenced procurement activity, including an Expression of Interest process in May 2026.
- ACT: Consultation and sector engagement is underway, with local organisations sharing summaries aligned to Australian Government information.
- South Australia: South Australian materials have been published, including a state summary document for Thriving Kids.
- Tasmania: Consultation sessions have been announced for Thriving Kids rollout.
- Northern Territory: Details are expected to continue emerging through state and territory implementation updates as the rollout approaches. The Australian Government notes that implementation arrangements will be provided closer to commencement.
- Western Australia: WA Government has published Thriving Kids information and references for Foundational Supports delivery for children aged 0 to 8.
- Victoria and Queensland: Further details are expected as states finalise service design and access pathways. The Australian Government notes that specific services and access details will be released closer to commencement.
If you want the cleanest updates, start with the Australian Government Thriving Kids page, then check your state or territory department page for local service details as they are released.
What Australian families can do now
If you are worried about your child’s development, the biggest mistake is waiting for the system to “launch” before acting.
Here are practical next steps you can take now:
- Talk to your GP or maternal and child health nurse
Bring a short list of what you are noticing, when it happens, and what daily life looks like on a hard day. - Do not wait for a diagnosis to seek support
Early supports often start with functional concerns and participation needs. Diagnosis can help with clarity, but support should be needs-led. - Use allied health services already available
If your child needs support with communication, movement, behaviour, or daily routines, early allied health can help. Depending on need, that may include Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). - Keep an eye on official updates
Service lists, access pathways, and referral routes are still being finalised by each state and territory. The Australian Government has stated that more details will be made available closer to service commencement.
How Bloom Healthcare supports children and families today
Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 through the Little Bloomers paediatric programme, with services aligned to the kinds of early supports families are looking for.
That includes allied health disciplines such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), delivered in a practical, family-centred way.
Bloom Healthcare is ready to support families under Thriving Kids as the new system rolls out, and we already deliver services that align with the intent of early identification, targeted allied health support, and family-centred care. (We are not offering appointments as a Thriving Kids provider.)
Call to action
Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 with allied health services across Australia. Our team is here to talk through your options and help your family take the next step.
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