Thriving Kids supports children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Thriving Kids program, including who is eligible, how the program is rolling out across Australia, what types of supports are included, and how families, carers, and professionals can access help. It is designed for families, carers, and professionals supporting young children. Understanding eligibility is crucial, as it clarifies which pathways and supports are available – especially if a child is already receiving NDIS support or has developmental concerns.
Thriving Kids is a national program supporting children aged 8 and under (0-8) with developmental delay or autism. The program focuses on early intervention and foundational supports for children with low to moderate support needs, emphasising developmental and functional needs rather than diagnosis alone.
Key Eligibility Criteria: At a Glance
- Children aged 8 and under (0-8)
- With developmental delay or autism
- Low to moderate support needs
- The program specifically targets children with developmental delay or autism
Who Can Benefit from Thriving Kids? Eligibility Explained
Thriving Kids is a new national Australian early intervention program that will provide supports for eligible children aged 8 or under who have developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, and need extra help with development or participation in everyday life. If you’re a parent, carer, kinship carer, or professional supporting a young child, this guide is written for the people the model is designed to support.
Family and Carer Involvement
Parents, carers and kin are also part of the model. It is designed for children with developmental needs and their families, with family programs, information, navigation and capacity-building support intended to sit alongside services provided directly to children, including allied health and other early supports based on developmental and functional needs rather than diagnosis alone.
Thriving Kids is the first phase of Australia’s broader Foundational Supports reforms and sits within the National Agreement on Foundational Supports. The Independent Review of the NDIS recommended a stronger system of supports outside the NDIS, including earlier identification and early intervention for children with developmental concerns, so families can access tailored help sooner without needing a formal diagnosis. That shift is especially relevant if you’re trying to work out what help a child can access, when support starts, whether the NDIS is the right pathway, and what Thriving Kids supports may be available instead.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity and high support needs, are intended to remain within the NDIS subject to its usual eligibility arrangements. Below, we’ll break down who is eligible, when the program is rolling out across states and territories, what supports it is expected to include, how it differs from the NDIS, and how to access early intervention services now, including related allied health support through Bloom. For a broader introduction to the program and its timeline, you can also read Bloom’s guide to Thriving Kids Australia.
What does “low to moderate support needs” actually mean?
This is understandably one of the biggest questions for families, and there is not yet a simple checklist or score that parents can use at home.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says “support needs” refers to a child’s abilities and needs based on functional capacity, rather than a formal diagnostic label. In other words, the focus is intended to be on what a child can do, where they need help and how their development affects everyday life.
Examples of Developmental Concerns
A family might, for example, be looking for help because a child is late to develop speech, finds everyday motor tasks difficult, struggles with play or social interaction, becomes overwhelmed by particular routines, or needs more support to participate at preschool. These are examples of developmental concerns, not an eligibility checklist. Governments are still working through the detailed assessment and service pathways that will determine which support is appropriate for each child.
That distinction is important. Two children with the same diagnosis can have very different support needs.
Do you need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids?
No, the national model is not intended to require a diagnosis before a child can receive support.
The Australian Government states that access to Thriving Kids is based on developmental support needs rather than diagnosis. Planned supports include routine child development and health checks, a new Medicare Healthy Kids Check at age three, and other ways of identifying children who may need extra help.
Children can access Thriving Kids without needing a diagnosis, and all supports are designed to be accessible without a diagnosis.
For families sitting on a long assessment waiting list, this is significant. It means developmental concerns can be recognised and acted on without treating a diagnosis as the only doorway to support.
A diagnosis may still be useful, or necessary, for other health, education or disability pathways. Families considering an assessment should discuss their individual circumstances with their GP, Paediatrician or treating clinician.
Which children with a permanent and significant disability remain on the NDIS?
The planned distinction is between children whose needs can be supported through Thriving Kids and children who meet the NDIS threshold for permanent and significant disability or high support needs.
| Child’s situation | Likely pathway | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 8 or under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs | Thriving Kids is the planned primary pathway from 2028 | Supports will be matched to developmental and functional needs as services roll out |
| Aged 8 or under with permanent and significant disability or high support needs | NDIS | The Government says these children will remain eligible, subject to usual NDIS arrangements |
| Aged 9 or over | Outside the Thriving Kids age group | NDIS may apply if eligibility requirements are met. Other mainstream and Foundational Supports may also be relevant |
| No diagnosis, but there are developmental concerns | Thriving Kids may provide an early support pathway | Diagnosis is not intended to be the basis for access. Developmental needs and functional impact will be considered |
| This table is a general guide based on the current national policy position. Individual eligibility decisions remain the responsibility of government agencies and will depend on the rules in force at the relevant time. |
What changes in 2028, and what does not?
There are two dates worth remembering. The Australian Government will invest $2 billion in Thriving Kids.
1 October 2026: the phased rollout of Thriving Kids services begins. Not every service will appear everywhere on that date. Governments are building the system progressively until full rollout.
1 January 2028: Thriving Kids is expected to be fully operational nationally. The Australian Government intends that new NDIS applicants aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs will then be supported through Thriving Kids rather than entering the NDIS on that basis.
For children already enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028, the position is different. They will not simply be removed from the Scheme on that date. The Government says children aged 8 and under in this group will continue to be reassessed under the eligibility criteria that applied before 1 January 2028.
There is another important qualification. The proposed access changes rely on amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 passed the House of Representatives and was introduced into the Senate on 12 August 2026. As at 17 August 2026, it has not yet become law.
What foundational supports is Thriving Kids expected to include?
Types of Supports
The national model is broader than individual therapy appointments. The Government currently describes the following areas of support, which are the kinds of Thriving Kids supports governments say the model will include:
| Area | What it could mean for families |
|---|---|
| Early identification and developmental checks | Earlier opportunities to notice when a child may need extra developmental support |
| Information, advice and navigation | Help understanding child development and finding appropriate local services |
| Family and parenting supports | Playgroups, peer support, practical resources and programs that build family confidence and skills |
| Targeted allied health | Support such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Psychology for children who need additional help |
| Low-cost assistive technology | Practical supports such as communication aids or sensory tools where these help development and participation |
| Workforce capability | Training and resources for professionals who work with children, including educators, early childhood education teams and primary care teams |
Some supports may also be time limited depending on a child’s developmental and functional needs. Thriving Kids is also expected to include new services alongside existing local supports.
Delivery of Supports
Targeted supports are expected to be available individually or in groups, in person or online, and mostly in the places children already spend their time, including home, early learning settings and community settings.
Where is Thriving Kids up to around Australia?
The national model is shared, but each jurisdiction is building its own delivery system.
| State or territory | Position as at 17 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| NSW | The first procurement round is underway. An Expression of Interest opened in May, selected organisations moved to tender in July, and contracts for the first services are intended to commence from October 2026. General supports begin first, with targeted supports expected from January 2027. |
| ACT | Planning and engagement with local communities are underway. Some government-run services are expected from 1 October 2026, with the range expanding through to January 2028. |
| Victoria | Victoria has confirmed a staged rollout from October 2026. Plans include new developmental assessments and allied health supports delivered around the places children live and learn. |
| South Australia | Supports are planned to be progressively introduced from October 2026. The state is continuing engagement on its service model and mix of supports. |
| Tasmania | Tasmania has entered a bilateral agreement with the Australian Government and is preparing for staged implementation from October 2026, including consultation on Thriving Kids service design. |
| Northern Territory | The first supports are expected from 1 October 2026, with consultation continuing as the NT model develops. |
| Western Australia | Consultation and market sounding are underway, with progressive service rollout planned from October 2026. |
| Queensland | Queensland’s implementation position is still being finalised. On 16 August, the federal NDIS Minister said Queensland was still formulating its position while discussions continued. |
Consultation Timeline
Consultations for Thriving Kids will occur from April to June 2026, giving families and providers a formal window to provide input on implementation.
Because this is changing quickly, families should look for further information and information about Thriving Kids on official government pages, including the latest published information. Delivery updates are being coordinated by the Australian Government working with state and territory governments, including territory governments, and those official pages remain the best source for current jurisdictional details.
What can families do now?
If you have concerns about your child’s development, there is no need to wait for October before asking for help.
- Talk to someone who knows your child or child development. This might be your GP, Paediatrician, child and family health nurse, maternal and child health nurse, or early childhood educator.
- Write down what you are noticing. Real examples from meals, play, communication, movement, dressing, sleep or preschool can be more useful than trying to find the perfect label.
- Ask about support that is available now. Existing health, community, education, Medicare and NDIS pathways continue while Thriving Kids is being established, including additional supports that can assist children in the meantime.
- Do not feel that you need to wait for a diagnosis before raising a developmental concern. Early identification and support are central to the Thriving Kids model.
- Keep an eye on official updates. The details of local access will become clearer as October approaches.
Current pathways can support children and connect children and families with practical help before the new system starts.
Early intervention is about responding when a child needs support, rather than waiting for difficulties to become more established. That is also one of the principles behind the broader NDIS Review recommendations and the new Thriving Kids system, with a focus on ensuring families can access help early.
How Bloom Healthcare supports children aged 0 to 9 today
Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 through our Paediatrics services and Little Bloomers program across Australia. The approach is family-centred and focused on helping children participate in everyday life at home, in early learning settings, at school and in the community.
Depending on a child’s needs, support can include Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Bloom Healthcare already delivers services aligned with many of the principles described in Thriving Kids and is ready to support families as the new system rolls out.
Commissioning arrangements for Thriving Kids are still being determined by governments. Bloom Healthcare is not describing itself as an appointed or approved Thriving Kids provider.
Common questions about Thriving Kids eligibility
Is my autistic child automatically eligible for Thriving Kids?
No. Autism itself is not intended to automatically determine the pathway. The Government says support needs will be considered according to a child’s functional capacity. Thriving Kids is intended for autistic children aged 8 and under with low to moderate support needs, while children with substantially reduced functional capacity or permanent and significant disability can remain within the NDIS.
What is the Thriving Kids age limit?
Thriving Kids provides supports for children aged 8 and under. A child aged 9 or older is outside the program’s target age group. That does not mean they are automatically without support. NDIS, health, education and other Foundational Supports may be relevant depending on their needs and eligibility.
Does my child need a formal developmental delay or autism diagnosis?
The Government says access to Thriving Kids is not based on diagnosis but on developmental support needs. Planned developmental checks and early identification measures are specifically intended to help children get support earlier. Exact local entry processes will become clearer as state and territory services commence.
Will my child lose their NDIS plan in January 2028?
Not automatically. Children aged 8 and under who are already enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 are intended to continue being reassessed under the eligibility criteria that applied before that date, under the usual arrangements. Families with questions about an individual plan should seek advice from the NDIA or their child’s treating team.
Can I get help before Thriving Kids starts?
Yes. Existing services continue while Thriving Kids is being built as a new program. Thriving Kids is a new pathway for eligible children, not a support option already fully available everywhere. If you have concerns about your child’s communication, movement, development, behaviour or ability to manage everyday activities, you can speak with a health professional or explore allied health support now rather than waiting for the October rollout.
Where can I check whether the eligibility rules have changed?
Use the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Thriving Kids published information and your state or territory government’s official page for further information. Because legislation and implementation are still developing, these are the best sources for current information, including official updates on how Thriving Kids is being implemented.
Need support now?
Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 with allied health services across Australia. If you are concerned about your child’s development, you can talk with our team about the support available today, regardless of what your child may qualify for under Thriving Kids in the future.
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