Thriving Kids: What We Know About the New Early Childhood Program (Announced August 2025)
On 20 August 2025, the Australian Government announced the upcoming launch of a major new initiative: the Thriving Kids program. This program is part of the government’s broader strategy to reform the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and better support young children with developmental concerns outside of the NDIS framework.
While many details are still being developed, this article outlines exactly what has been officially released so far — and what families can expect in the lead-up to the program’s rollout in 2026.
What Is the Thriving Kids Program?
According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Thriving Kids program is a national system of support for children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism.
Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be supported through the NDIS.
“Thriving Kids will focus on identifying developmental concerns earlier and establishing a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism, and their families.”
Why Is the Program Being Introduced?
The Thriving Kids initiative is part of the government’s commitment to:
- Restore the NDIS to its original purpose (supporting people with permanent and significant disability)
- Ensure the scheme remains sustainable for future generations
- Provide appropriate foundational supports outside the NDIS for children who don’t meet NDIS eligibility
These reforms were recommended by the Independent Review of the NDIS and are also informed by expert input through the Thriving Kids Advisory Group, co-chaired by Professor Frank Oberklaid.
How Will the Program Be Delivered?
The Thriving Kids program will scale and build upon existing mainstream and community services, including:
- Child and maternal health services
- GPs and primary care
- Early childhood education and care
- Schools and playgroups
- Digital and phone-based supports
Rather than establishing a new standalone system, the government plans to leverage existing platforms that families already access.
The fact sheet notes these supports may include:
- Developmental screening
- Guidance on routines at home
- Advice for navigating everyday environments such as play and school
“These supports will help children to thrive, right through the life course, from the time they're born into the time they get into formal schooling.”
What Is the Timeline?
The Thriving Kids program is expected to roll out in phases, with:
- First services available from 1 July 2026
- A 12-month ramp-up period
- Broader changes to NDIS access are anticipated from mid-2027
During this time, the government will work closely with state and territory governments to finalise program design, informed by:
- The Independent Review of the NDIS
- Previous national consultations on foundational supports
- Ongoing community engagement
What About Children Already in the NDIS?
The fact sheet clearly states:
“Children who are already on the Scheme will continue to receive supports, subject to usual arrangements, including reassessments.”
— Thriving Kids Fact Sheet, p. 2
This means no existing participant will be removed or transitioned without going through the standard review and reassessment process.
Any future changes to access will be carefully designed in consultation with families and early childhood experts.
What’s Still To Come?
| Area | Confirmed Details |
|---|---|
| Launch | First services expected from 1 July 2026 |
| Target group | Children aged 0–8 with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism |
| NDIS status | Children with permanent and significant disability will remain eligible for NDIS |
| Current participants | Will remain on the NDIS under existing arrangements |
| Delivery | Via mainstream platforms (GPs, schools, maternal health, etc.) |
| Design partners | Co-designed with states, territories, and the Thriving Kids Advisory Group |
| Program goal | Build a national support system for early intervention outside the NDIS |
What Comes Next?
While it’s natural for families to have questions about how Thriving Kids will work, it’s important to remember that the program is still in its design phase.
We’ll continue to keep our community informed as further information becomes available and will only ever share updates that are official and verified.
As always, our focus at Evora Therapy is to support your child’s development — whether through NDIS-funded services, private care, or future foundational programs.
Source
📎 Source:
You can read the full Thriving Kids Fact Sheet from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing here (PDF).
