The Albanese government has announced a new framework aimed at reshaping how Australia supports children under nine years old who have mild developmental delays and autism. The program, named Thriving Kids, will be run in partnership with the states and territories and is planned to begin rolling out from October this year. The goal is to shift some supports away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme to earlier intervention and related family services, while keeping a pathway for children who continue to need NDIS assistance. The government emphasises this is a work in progress, with further details to come as implementation planning progresses.
In this explainer, we look at what is publicly known about Thriving Kids, what remains unclear, and what families can expect as the policy navigates a complex web of federal and state responsibilities. The move reflects a broader rethink of how early childhood needs are addressed in the years ahead, with a focus on early intervention and smoother transitions between services.
What we know
- Target demographic: Thriving Kids is designed for children under nine who have mild developmental delays or autism, with the aim of delivering targeted supports early in life.
- Delivery model: The program will be delivered in collaboration with state and territory governments, suggesting a nationally coordinated but locally administered approach.
- Timing: Implementation is slated to start from October this year, with the states and territories taking on key roles from that point.
- Purpose: A core objective is to redirect some supports away from the NDIS toward earlier, developmental interventions and related family services.
- Coherence with existing services: Officials say Thriving Kids will work alongside current services, including early intervention and health and education supports, to avoid gaps in care.
- Governance: The proposal involves federal–state coordination to oversee eligibility decisions, planning processes, and service delivery for participating children.
What we don’t know
- Eligibility specifics: Exact criteria for who qualifies under Thriving Kids, and how “mild delays” or autism are defined in practice, have not been finalised.
- Funding and transitions: How funding will be allocated, who bears what cost, and how current NDIS plans and participants will be transitioned remain uncertain.
- Range of services: Which services will be funded under Thriving Kids and how they will integrate with education, health, and other family supports is still to be clarified.
- Transition timelines: The mechanics of moving children off NDIS or keeping certain supports on NDIS during a stepwise transition have not been laid out.
- Regional variability: How rollout will differ across states and localities, and what that means for families in rural or remote areas, is not yet known.
What this means for families
For families, Thriving Kids could reshape how early needs are addressed and how services are coordinated. Families may see new points of contact for planning and access to a mix of early intervention supports and family services aimed at improving developmental outcomes. There is a clear expectation that transition planning will be tailored to individual circumstances, but details on how to navigate the new system, what documentation will be required, and how to avoid service gaps are still pending. As with any large reform, the exact experience will depend on how federal and state authorities translate policy into local practice, how quickly service networks scale up, and how robust the transition processes prove to be.
Officials stress that Thriving Kids is not an abrupt cancellation of existing supports, but a reconfiguration intended to align early-life supports with long-term developmental goals. Families should stay in touch with their local early childhood services and disability planners, and monitor official updates as implementation details are issued. In the meantime, those seeking information can consult existing resources on NDIS eligibility, early intervention options, and the range of state-led child development programs that interact with the NDIS framework.
As the country prepares for October, policymakers emphasise that the plan is a work in progress. Families, practitioners, and advocates will be watching closely for access rules, transition safeguards, and consistency across jurisdictions to ensure that children who need support continue to receive timely and appropriate assistance.
