For families of young children with developmental delay or autism, one of the biggest NDIS reforms is a new program called Thriving Kids. It has understandably raised a lot of questions. Here’s a clear, calm explanation of what it is and what it means for you.
What Thriving Kids Is
Thriving Kids is a new national program designed to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. Rather than sitting inside the NDIS, it forms part of what’s known as foundational supports, services delivered through mainstream and community settings.
Governments have committed to jointly contribute $4 billion over five years to the first phase, with the aim of helping children get support earlier, closer to where they live, learn and play.
“Thriving Kids will help children aged 8 and under with developmental needs get support earlier, using local services,” the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing stated.
When It Starts
The rollout of state-delivered Thriving Kids services will commence from 1 October 2026, with the program expected to be at full scale from 1 January 2028. That staged timeline is designed to make sure national services are in place before any changes to NDIS access arrangements take effect.
The important reassurance for families is that this is a gradual transition, not an overnight switch. You can follow official updates on the NDIS Thriving Kids page.
Why the Change Is Happening
The reasoning is partly about the design of the NDIS itself. More than half of NDIS participants have a primary disability of autism or developmental delay, and a large share are young children. The government argues the Scheme was never designed to be the only support system for this group, and that many children are better served by earlier, community-based help.
There’s also a cost dimension. The NDIS has grown well beyond its original projections, and shifting some early childhood support into foundational programs is intended to ease that pressure while still meeting children’s needs.
What This Means for Your Family
If your child is currently on the NDIS, the key point is that no child will be moved off the Scheme before alternative supports are available. Children already receiving support won’t be automatically removed, though they remain subject to the usual NDIS arrangements, including reassessments.
Children with permanent and significant disability, and those with high support needs, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS. If you’re unsure which pathway applies to your child, keeping your assessments and reports current puts you in the best position for any future planning conversations. Official information is available on the Thriving Kids program page.
The Bigger Picture
Thriving Kids depends heavily on cooperation between federal, state and territory governments, which are responsible for delivering many of the services involved. Much of the detail is still being finalised, and families understandably want clarity.
For now, the most useful approach is to stay informed rather than anxious. The supports your child currently relies on remain in place, and the transition is being staged deliberately to avoid gaps.
Epik Wire covers NDIS reform in plain language for participants and families. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
