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Thriving Kids · Updated August 2026Thriving Kids explained: what it means for your child
A clear, up-to-date guide to Australia's new early-childhood support reform — written for families who want to understand what's changing and what to do now.
Last updated August 2026 · We update this guide as government details are released.
Thriving Kids is a major new Australian Government initiative changing how young children get early developmental support. If you have a young child and you're feeling unsure about what it means for you, this plain-English guide is here to help — and we'll keep it updated as details are confirmed.
What is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is the first phase of a broader reform called Foundational Supports — a new system of help that sits outside the NDIS. The Australian, state and territory governments have committed to jointly invest $4 billion over five years, with the aim of giving families earlier, easier access to child-development support without needing an NDIS plan or, in many cases, a formal diagnosis first.
It's designed for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low-to-moderate support needs, and their families.
Who is it for — and who stays on the NDIS?
This is the question most families ask, so to be clear about what the Government has said:
- Thriving Kids — for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs.
- The NDIS — children with permanent and significant disability, including those with high support needs, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS under the usual arrangements.
When is it happening?
The Government has said the rollout will begin from 1 October 2026, scaling up progressively, with full implementation expected by 1 January 2028. Timelines have shifted before (it was originally slated for mid-2026), and states and territories are still finalising exactly what they'll deliver, so dates may continue to evolve.
What support will it offer?
Based on the model released by the Thriving Kids Advisory Group, support is built around a few key directions:
- Earlier identification — spotting developmental differences sooner, moving away from a “wait and see” approach.
- Easier navigation — helping families find support early, without needing a diagnosis first.
- Building family skills — workshops, resources and coaching that empower parents and carers to support their child through everyday activities.
- Targeted allied-health support — access to professionals like speech pathologists and occupational therapists, in groups or one-on-one, without needing an NDIS plan.
Importantly, support is intended to be delivered in everyday settings — at home, in early learning and kinder, at school and in the community — rather than only in clinics.
Where do speech pathologists fit in?
Speech pathology is named directly in the Thriving Kids model as one of the allied-health supports families will be able to access, and a speech pathologist sat on the Government's Advisory Group. Speech pathologists help with exactly the areas Thriving Kids focuses on — early communication, language, and supporting families to build skills in daily routines.
More on Thriving Kids
Common questions
Is Thriving Kids part of the NDIS?
No. Thriving Kids sits outside the NDIS, as the first phase of a separate system called Foundational Supports. It's designed for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low-to-moderate support needs. Children with high or significant support needs remain eligible for the NDIS.
When does Thriving Kids start?
The Government has said the rollout begins from 1 October 2026 and scales up, with full implementation expected by 1 January 2028. Details are still being finalised and timelines have shifted before, so treat dates as a guide.
Will I need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids?
A key aim of Thriving Kids is to let families access early support without needing a formal diagnosis first. Exact access arrangements are still being confirmed by governments.
Can Lumina Therapy support my child through Thriving Kids?
The provider framework for Thriving Kids is still being finalised, so no clinic can yet call itself an official Thriving Kids provider. We can help your family understand the changes and support your child's communication now through NDIS, Medicare or private funding — and we'll keep families updated as the system rolls out.
Is the new Medicare expansion (March 2026) part of Thriving Kids?
No — these are two separate reforms. From 1 March 2026, Medicare's M10 pathway expanded to cover stuttering, speech sound disorders and cleft lip/palate for under-25s with a referral, which is a change to the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Thriving Kids is a separate, still-developing early childhood program. Speech Pathology Australia has confirmed some children may be eligible for both. See our funding & fees page for the Medicare detail.
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