One of the most significant changes to disability support for young children in a decade begins rolling out from 1 October 2026. Called Thriving Kids, it’s a new $4 billion program aimed at children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism, and for many families it will change how and where their child receives support. Here’s what’s actually happening, in plain language.
What Thriving Kids Is
Thriving Kids is the first phase of what the government calls “Foundational Supports” — a system of services that sits outside the NDIS. It’s jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the states and territories, with each contributing $2 billion over five years, creating a combined $4 billion pool.
The core idea is to support children earlier and through everyday settings — childcare centres, schools, community health clinics, and the family home — rather than through individual NDIS plans and one-to-one therapy. At least $1.4 billion of the Commonwealth’s contribution will be provided as direct funding to the states to deliver these services.
Who It’s For, and Who Stays on the NDIS
This is the part families most want clarity on. Thriving Kids is designed for children aged 8 and under who have developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs.
Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with high support needs, will remain eligible for the NDIS. The distinction the government is drawing is based on the level of support a child needs, not simply their diagnosis.
The Timeline
The rollout begins from 1 October 2026 — a date worth noting, as it was pushed back from an earlier proposed start of 1 July 2026 to give states more time to prepare. The program is expected to be operating at full scale by 1 January 2028. NDIS access arrangements for children won’t formally change until that 2028 date, which is when amendments to the NDIS Act are expected to take effect.
What It Means for Families Right Now
If your child is already on the NDIS, they won’t be automatically removed. Existing participants continue under the scheme’s usual arrangements, including the normal reassessment processes. The government has stated that no child will lose access to essential supports during the transition.
That said, families have understandably felt unsettled by the change, and some have reported their children being reassessed and found ineligible over the past year. The most important practical point is this: until access arrangements formally change in 2028, the current NDIS eligibility criteria still apply, and a child who meets the criteria for permanent and significant disability can still apply at any time.
The Bigger Reform Picture
Thriving Kids doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of the broadest set of NDIS reforms since the scheme began, including new framework planning for adult plans, flexible budgets replacing the old funding categories, and mandatory registration for SIL and platform providers. Understanding how these changes interact gives families the fullest picture of where the scheme is heading.
Epik Wire is tracking every stage of the NDIS and Thriving Kids rollout. Subscribe to our newsletter for clear updates as details are confirmed.
