One of the most significant NDIS reforms begins its rollout on 1 October 2026: Thriving Kids, the new program designed to support young children with developmental delay or autism outside the NDIS. It’s a major shift for families of young children, and it’s arriving amid a standoff with at least one state that hasn’t yet signed on. Here’s the plain-language guide to what’s happening.
What Thriving Kids Is
Thriving Kids is a new government program for children aged eight and under with developmental delay, or autism with low to moderate support needs. Rather than accessing support through an individual NDIS plan, these children and their families will access support through “foundational supports”, services delivered outside the NDIS, in the places children already are: schools, childcare centres and the community.
The government has committed significant funding to it, around $2 billion, matched by states and territories, as part of a broader shift toward foundational supports outside the individualised scheme. The phased rollout begins from 1 October 2026.
Why It’s Happening
The rationale is that the NDIS became the only door to support for many families, when it was never designed to be. The government’s argument is that not every child with a developmental delay or milder autism needs an individualised NDIS plan, and that support delivered in mainstream settings, childcare, school, community, can be more natural and reach more families.
It’s also central to the plan to slow the scheme’s growth, with young children among the groups whose support pathway is changing most. The stated aim is a more family-centred model; the concern, raised throughout, is whether the replacement supports will genuinely be there and be good enough.
The State Standoff
Here’s the current complication. Because foundational supports are meant to be jointly funded and delivered with the states and territories, their buy-in matters, and it isn’t uniform. Reporting indicates at least one state, Queensland, has not signed up to the scheme, creating uncertainty for families there.
“I’m really confident this is in the interests of the Queensland population, and I think Queensland residents will want to see their government take the next step,” the NDIS minister said of the holdout.
The federal government has expressed confidence the states will come on board, but until agreements are finalised, families in states yet to sign on face genuine uncertainty about exactly what will be available to them and when. This is worth watching closely if you’re in an affected state.
What It Means for Families
If you have a young child on or approaching the NDIS, a few grounding points. This is a phased rollout beginning 1 October, not an overnight switch, and detail is still emerging, so staying informed through official channels matters more than reacting to alarm. If your child is currently on the NDIS, you should be notified before any change affects them, and existing arrangements continue in the meantime. And keep documenting your child’s needs and the difference their supports make, because clear evidence of need matters in any system.
For families in states that haven’t signed on, it’s reasonable to seek clarity from official sources about what applies to you, and to watch for announcements as agreements are (or aren’t) reached. The official information is on the Department of Health’s Thriving Kids page.
The Bottom Line
Thriving Kids begins rolling out on 1 October, shifting support for young children with developmental delay or milder autism to foundational supports outside the NDIS. The idea is a more natural, family-centred model reaching more children; the risks are whether the replacement supports are ready, and whether all states sign on, with at least one yet to commit. If you’re a family affected, stay informed through official sources, keep your child’s evidence current, and watch how it unfolds in your state. This is general information, not disability, medical, legal or financial advice.
Epik Wire covers the NDIS in plain language for participants and families. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
