The Thriving Kids program is one of the biggest changes to early childhood support in Australia since the NDIS began, and the details have been rolling out in pieces. We’re here to share what you need to know.
Thriving Kids is a new national support system for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. It’s designed to help families get the right support earlier, in places where their children already live, learn, and play, and all without needing a diagnosis.
The Quick Answer:
- What is Thriving Kids: A new national early support program for children under 8 years old with low to moderate developmental needs, running alongside (not replacing) the NDIS
- No diagnosis needed: Families can access supports based on functional needs, not paperwork
- When it starts: Rollout begins October 1st 2026, with full implementation by January 1st 2028
- What’s funded: A $4 billion investment over 5 years, covering parenting supports, allied health (like speech and OT), navigation services, and assistive technology.
- Who it helps: Children who need support, but may not meet NDIS eligibility thresholds, filling a long-standing gap.
What is the Thriving Kids Program?
So, what is the Thriving Kids program? It’s the first phase of Australia’s new Foundational Supports system, a layer of early help for young children that sits outside the NDIS. Governments have committed to jointly contribute $4 billion over five years to implement this first phase.
The idea is simple. Many families have children who clearly need support with speech delay, social challenges, or developmental differences, but they either don’t quite fit the NDIS threshold or are stuck waiting months (sometimes years) for a diagnosis before they can access any help.
Starting from October 1st 2026, Thriving Kids will help children aged 8 and under with developmental needs get support earlier, using local services. Children with higher support needs will still get help through the NDIS.
No Diagnosis Required
This is probably the most significant change for families. You won’t need a formal autism or developmental delay diagnosis to access support.
For many parents, the diagnostic process is the hardest part: long waitlists, expensive private assessments, and the emotional weight of labels. Under the current systems, families often spend 12-18 months just trying to get through the diagnostic door. That’s time your child can’t get back during their most critical developmental window.
How Does Thriving Kids Work Alongside the NDIS
This is the number one question we hear from Australian families, so let’s be clear: Thriving Kids is not replacing the NDIS. The two will work side-by-side. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Children with permanent and significant disability, or substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs), continue on the NDIS under existing arrangements.
- Children with low to moderate support needs will be supported through the Thriving Kids program instead, many of whom previously would’ve been on an NDIS early intervention pathway.
- Children on the NDIS won’t be removed without alternatives in place. Children aged 8 or under enrolled in the NDIS before January 1st 2028, who have developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, will continue to be subject to reassessment under the eligibility criteria in place before January 1st 2028.
What Supports Will Thriving Kids Include?
Support will be delivered in the places that children already spend their time: at home, in early learning centres, schools, and the community, rather than in clinics.
If you’re wondering what is the Thriving Kids program actually going to offer in practical terms, here’s what’s been confirmed based on the Thriving Kids Advisory Group’s recommendations and the February 2026 government release:
- Information, advice, and navigation:Helping families understand what’s available and connect them with the right services (a huge pain point currently)
- Parenting supports and programs:Building your skills, confidence, and connection with other families. This is one of the most evidence-backed ways to support young children, and it’s baked into the Thriving Kids program from the start.
- Targeted allied health supports:Speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, and other evidence-based therapies focused on functional skills and development.
- Access to low-cost assistive technology where needed
When Does Thriving Kids Start?
Here’s the timeline to keep in mind:
- 1 October 2026:Rollout begins, and first state services become available
- 1 January 2028:Full nationwide implementation. NDIS access changes also take effect on this date for children 8 and under with low to moderate support needs
The rollout will be progressive. Services will scale up gradually, with states and territories responsible for delivery and the Commonwealth providing the framework and funding.
What Thriving Kids Means for Your Family Right Now
You don’t need to wait until October to start supporting your child. In fact, waiting isn’t really in your child’s best interest.
The first five years shape more brain development than any other period of life. If you’ve noticed your little one isn’t quite meeting milestones the way you expected (maybe they’re slow to talk, struggle with play, find social moments overwhelming, or seem to experience the world differently), acting now matters more than waiting for a new program to launch.
What you can do now:
- Get clear on your child’s strengths and needs. A comprehensive developmental assessment helps you understand where your child is and what might help.
- Access existing supports. Early childhood intervention services are available today and already use many of the same evidence-based approaches the Thriving Kids program will fund.
- Explore current NDIS pathways. If your child may not be eligible for support now, it’s worth understanding the NDIS early childhood intervention pathway. Early Childhood Partners can help you navigate this.
- Build your own skills. Parent coaching, including ESDM parent training, is one of the most effective things you can do, and it’s a core pillar of the Thriving Kids model.
For more information, our guide onwhat early childhood intervention is makes a great starting point.
How Solongo Early Intervention Fits In
When families ask us what Thriving Kids is going to look like in practice, the honest answer is that it’ll be quite similar to what good early intervention already looks like today. The kinds of support the Thriving Kids program will fund are exactly what we already deliver every day across Melbourne.
Our certified ESDM therapists work with children in their homes, kindergartens, schools, and our clinics. We provide comprehensive assessments, tailor every program to your child’s individual strengths, and offer in-person and online parent coaching. Whether your family eventually accesses support through Thriving Kids, the NDIS, or privately, what matters most is starting early with someone who truly understands your child.
If you’d like to talk through where your child is at and what support might help, we offer a free initial consultation. Get in touch to book in.
The Bigger Picture
The Thriving Kids program reflects something the disability and early childhood sector has been demanding for a long time: a system that identifies children earlier, supports families sooner, and doesn’t make a diagnosis the price of admission.
Your child’s development isn’t waiting, and neither should you. Whatever support looks like for your family, starting early, starting gently, and starting with your child’s strengths is what makes the biggest difference.
