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Thriving Kids vs the NDIS: what's the difference?

It's the question on every parent's mind right now. Here's a clear, calm comparison — without the jargon.

Aaisha Deo · Lead Speech Pathologist 5 Aug 2026 6 min read Last updated August 2026

If your young child gets support for their development, you've probably heard that big changes are coming. Here's the difference between the two systems, in plain language.

The short version

The NDIS was designed for people with permanent and significant disability. Over time, it became the main pathway for many children with milder or developing needs too. Thriving Kids is a new system, sitting outside the NDIS, created specifically to support younger children with lower-to-moderate needs — earlier, and with less red tape.

Side by side

  • Who it's for: Thriving Kids supports children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs. The NDIS continues for children with high or significant support needs.
  • Diagnosis: Thriving Kids aims to let families get help without needing a diagnosis first. The NDIS generally requires evidence of disability to access funding.
  • How support is delivered: Thriving Kids leans toward everyday settings — home, kinder, school, community — and building family skills, alongside targeted allied health. The NDIS provides individualised funded plans.
  • The system: Thriving Kids is jointly run by federal and state/territory governments; the NDIS is a national scheme.

How do I know which one my child fits?

The dividing line the Government has described is level of support need: lower-to-moderate needs point toward Thriving Kids, while high or significant needs remain with the NDIS. Exactly how a child's needs will be identified and triaged is still being finalised by governments, so if you're unsure, it's worth getting guidance rather than guessing.

Feeling anxious about the change? That's completely understandable. The most important thing to know is that support for children isn't disappearing — it's being reorganised, with the aim of making early help easier to reach. Whatever pathway your child ends up on, we can support their communication now.

Common questions

Is Thriving Kids replacing the NDIS for children?

Not entirely. It's creating a separate pathway for children aged 8 and under with lower-to-moderate support needs. Children with high or significant support needs remain eligible for the NDIS.

Which is better for my child?

It's not about better or worse — they're designed for different levels of need. Lower-to-moderate needs are intended for Thriving Kids; higher needs stay with the NDIS. The right pathway depends on your child's individual situation.

Our sources. This guide draws on official Australian Government information and is updated as details are released. For the latest, see the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Thriving Kids, the NDIS, and Raising Children Network. Because much of the program is still being finalised, please treat specifics as a guide and confirm your family's situation with official sources.
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