In a significant shift for Australia's disability support landscape, the federal government has unveiled the operational model for Thriving Kids, a program designed to provide an alternative to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for children under nine with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism. Announced amid ongoing debates about the sustainability of the NDIS, this initiative aims to redirect early interventions away from the national scheme, fostering a more localized, family-centered approach. As NDIS Minister Mark Butler emphasized, the goal is to empower parents and return to pre-NDIS support models that prioritize prevention and skill-building from the ground up.
What is Thriving Kids and Why Does It Matter?
Thriving Kids emerged from last August's surprise announcement as part of broader NDIS reforms. The program targets young children whose needs don't require the full scope of NDIS funding, preventing what critics call 'over-medicalization' of everyday developmental challenges. By shifting these cases to state and territory-run services, the government hopes to ease the NDIS's growing caseload—currently over 500,000 participants—and ensure resources are reserved for those with significant, permanent disabilities.
Developed with input from an expert advisory group chaired by renowned paediatrician Professor Frank Oberklaid, the model has received endorsement from National Cabinet. It's not about excluding kids from support but about providing the right kind at the right time. For families, this could mean quicker access to community-based help without the bureaucracy often associated with NDIS applications. Experts like Oberklaid argue that early, non-intensive interventions can dramatically improve long-term outcomes, reducing the likelihood of escalation to more complex needs later in life.
The NDIS Context: A Generational Reset
The NDIS, launched in 2013, revolutionized disability care in Australia by giving participants choice and control over funding. However, its rapid expansion has strained budgets, with costs projected to hit $50 billion annually by 2030. Thriving Kids addresses this by creating a 'pre-NDIS' pathway, ensuring children with milder needs get proactive support through mainstream services. Importantly, kids already on the NDIS before 2028 won't be automatically removed; they'll undergo standard reassessments to stay if eligible.
How the Thriving Kids Model Works: A Three-Stage Framework
The model is structured around three interconnected stages: identification, connection, and delivery of supports. This streamlined approach aims to make the system accessible and less intimidating for families navigating early childhood challenges.
Stage 1: Early Identification of Needs
Spotting developmental delays or autism early is crucial, and Thriving Kids makes this a cornerstone. Identification can come from multiple sources—parents noticing milestones like speech delays, teachers observing social interactions in preschool, or health professionals during routine check-ups. The program will integrate with existing systems, such as Medicare-funded assessments, to flag potential needs without added stigma. Resources for educators and GPs will include updated training modules on recognizing signs of neurodiversity, ensuring no child slips through the cracks in those vital first years.
Stage 2: Connecting Families to Resources
Once identified, families enter a network of 'entry points' tailored to their location and needs. An online directory will serve as a one-stop hub, listing local services, Thriving Kids-aligned allied health professionals, and community organizations. Think of it as a disability support Google Maps—user-friendly and searchable by postcode. Additional tools include webinars for parents on navigating supports and partnerships with early learning centers to embed advice into daily routines. This stage emphasizes information empowerment, helping families make informed choices before committing to formal interventions.
Stage 3: Tailored Supports for Every Level of Need
The heart of Thriving Kids lies in its flexible support categories, divided into low, moderate, and low-to-moderate needs. For 'low need' families, the focus is on self-directed resources: free online parenting courses covering neurodiversity and child development, local playgroups for peer interaction, and even a proposed national helpline for quick advice on everything from tantrum management to sensory play ideas.
Moving up, 'moderate need' children access professional interventions like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physiotherapy, delivered flexibly—in home visits, community hubs, or schools. Early childhood educators trained in these areas will play a key role, blending therapy into playtime to make it feel natural. For those in the 'low-to-moderate' bracket, supports hybridize, combining parent tools with occasional expert input.
Crucially, children with 'significant permanent disability'—such as profound autism or severe delays—remain fully NDIS-eligible, ensuring the scheme protects the most vulnerable.
Implementation Timeline and Challenges Ahead
Thriving Kids kicks off with a pilot phase in October 2026, allowing states and territories to gear up infrastructure like those community hubs. Full rollout is slated for January 2028, aligning with NDIS sustainability reviews. Funding will come from a mix of federal allocations and state budgets, with an estimated $1.5 billion redirected from NDIS savings over the next decade.
While promising, the program isn't without hurdles. Advocacy groups like Autism Awareness Australia welcome the focus on early intervention but worry about uneven state implementation—urban areas might thrive, while rural families face access gaps. There's also concern over defining 'mild to moderate' needs; vague criteria could lead to disputes or under-support. Minister Butler has pledged ongoing consultation, including with First Nations communities to ensure culturally safe services.
Real-world analysis from similar international models, like the UK's Early Support program, shows that family-centric approaches can boost parental confidence by 40% and reduce long-term service reliance. In Australia, where one in 70 children is diagnosed with autism, Thriving Kids could be a game-changer, promoting inclusion from the start rather than waiting for crises.
Looking Forward: A Brighter Path for Aussie Families
As Australia reimagines disability support, Thriving Kids stands as a beacon of proactive care. By centering parents as partners—not just recipients—the program could transform how we view childhood development. For families like the Smiths from Sydney, whose four-year-old son shows early autism signs, it's a relief: 'Finally, support that meets us where we are,' says mum Lisa. With implementation on the horizon, the key will be collaboration across governments, professionals, and communities to make Thriving Kids a true success story.
This initiative isn't just policy—it's a commitment to letting every child thrive, one early step at a time.
