What the New “Thriving Kids” Program Means for Families with Young Children

On 20th August 2025, Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler announced that beginning 1 July 2026, Australia will launch a new initiative called Thriving Kids.

This $2 billion program aims to provide early, community-based support to children aged eight and under who have mild to moderate developmental delays and autism. The support will be offered through trusted environments such as schools, GPs, playgroups, and digital services.

Here’s the overview: The Thriving Kids initiative is designed to pick up developmental concerns earlier and create a consistent, nationwide support system for children aged eight and under with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism, along with their families. Children with permanent and significant disabilities will continue receiving their supports through the NDIS.

Rather than starting from scratch, the program will expand and strengthen existing mainstream and community services, so families can access help through places they already know and trust. This includes child and maternal health services, GPs, playgroups, early childhood centres, schools, and also accessible digital or phone-based supports.

The initiative is being shaped through collaboration with states, territories, experts, and community groups, including the Thriving Kids Advisory Group co-chaired by Professor Frank Oberklaid.

If your child is already part of the NDIS—or becomes a participant before the new system is implemented—they won't be suddenly removed. The transition will occur gradually, with broader changes to NDIS access arrangements anticipated by mid-2027.

We'll keep tabs on Thriving Kids as more information becomes available over the coming months.

The fact sheet, published by the Australian Department of Health, can be found at

this link.

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