Australia is preparing to introduce Thriving Kids – the first phase of Foundational Supports reforms, designed to help children with developmental delay and/or autism get the right help earlier, and in everyday settings.

For teams across Civic and Biala, this is an important shift: it may change where referrals come from, how supports are funded and commissioned, and what “good practice” and safeguards look like for early childhood services in the years ahead.

What is Thriving Kids

Thriving Kids is described by the Australian Government as a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, along with supports for their families, carers and kin.

Governments have committed to jointly contribute $4 billion over 5 years to implement the first phase of Foundational Supports, known as Thriving Kids.

A key intent is to make supports easier to access in the places children live, learn and play, and to enable earlier identification and timely, evidence-based supports.

Who will still be supported through the NDIS?

The Government has stated that children with permanent and significant disability, including children 8 and under with developmental delay/autism and high support needs, will remain eligible for the NDIS, subject to usual arrangements.

Key dates and what changes (and when)

Here’s the public timeline governments have shared so far:

• From 1 October 2026: Thriving Kids is expected to commence rollout of state services (no later than this date).

• By 1 January 2028: Thriving Kids is expected to be at scale, ahead of changes to NDIS access arrangements for relevant cohorts.

• From 1 January 2028: Governments have agreed in principle to change NDIS access arrangements for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay/autism and low to moderate support needs, which will require amendments to the NDIS Act.

• Children enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 in that cohort may be reassessed under pre‑2028 eligibility criteria, according to current Government information.

What supports might Thriving Kids include?

An expert Thriving Kids Advisory Group has provided a proposed model to governments. In summary, it recommends a system that includes:

1. A ‘No wrong door’ entry and navigation pathway: The proposed model emphasises multiple entry points and navigation supports, so families can be identified and connected to help through the services they already use (e.g., health, early learning, community).
2. Universal Parenting Supports: These are supports intended to build family skills and confidence, delivered in flexible, accessible ways including peer support, group programs, practical resources and culturally safe supports.
3. Targeted Supports: For children and families needing more support than universal options, the model includes targeted supports such as allied health and more individualised capacity building.

Importantly, the Advisory Group recommends families should be able to access supports without needing a formal diagnosis, recognising diagnosis can be difficult to obtain quickly. The model also describes a ‘key worker’ approach in some situations, for example where multiple professionals are involved, and emphasises supports delivered in natural settings such as the home, early childhood education centres and community hubs.

What this could mean for existing early childhood providers

While details are still being finalised, there are several likely impacts for providers to be aware of:

1. Demand may shift across NDIS and non‑NDIS pathways: Because Thriving Kids is designed to support children with low to moderate support needs outside the NDIS, some children who might previously have sought an NDIS pathway may instead access supports through Thriving Kids. At the same time, children with higher support needs are expected to remain in the NDIS.
   
2. New referral sources and ‘everyday settings’ will matter more: Thriving Kids is intended to make supports available in places children already spend time in, and to strengthen early identification through everyday services. That means relationships with GPs, child and family health, early learning services and schools may become even more important in shaping referrals and pathways.
   
3. Commissioning models and provider requirements may change: The Advisory Group notes that targeted supports could be delivered through an expansion of existing services or via new commissioned services, depending on local context. For example, in NSW, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has confirmed it has been consulting with community and sector stakeholders (including allied health and early childhood education providers) and is reviewing responses to its consultation processes. This could mean that, over time, some early childhood supports may be accessed through state commissioning arrangements rather than (or in addition to) individual NDIS plans.
   
4. A stronger focus on evidence, outcomes and quality: In line with what we’re seeing across disability services, both Government communications and the Advisory Group emphasise that Thriving Kids should be evidence-informed, outcomes-focused, culturally safe and connected across systems. Even where the precise rules aren’t final yet, it’s clear that quality, safeguards and measurable impact will matter.

Civic will continue to monitor the roll out of Thriving Kids and other foundational supports across both NSW and VIC and provide updates to therapists and families about any changes to pathways, funding and provider requirements as soon as they are confirmed.