Australia’s early childhood landscape is undergoing a major transformation. The federal government’s new Thriving Kids initiative, announced by Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, is set to reshape how children with mild to moderate developmental delays and neurodivergent children receive support—especially those currently accessing services through the NDIS Early Childhood (ECEI) pathway. At Biala Peninsula, we are actively monitoring developments and preparing to support families through the transition. Here, we explore more about the Thriving Kids initiative.
What Is the Thriving Kids Initiative?
Thriving Kids is a $4 billion national reform, including $2 billion from the Commonwealth, matched by states and territories, that aims to deliver mainstream early intervention supports for children aged 0–8 years who do not meet the tightened eligibility criteria for the NDIS.
Rather than relying on individualised NDIS plans, Thriving Kids will offer timely, community-based services through health, education and family support systems. The program is expected to launch in July 2026, with full rollout by mid-2027.
Thriving Kids is the first community support program that has been conceived under the concept of ‘Foundational Supports’ – something that was recommended by the NDIS Review to safeguard the future of the NDIS, equipping community and mainstream settings with the ability to support those who fall outside of the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
Why Is This Happening?
By providing community supports through programs such as Thriving Kids, it is thought those with mild to moderate developmental delays and neurodivergent children can avoid the need to enter the Scheme, and instead receive supports from mainstream settings.
The NDIS has grown rapidly, and concerns about its sustainability have prompted a rethink. Thriving Kids is designed to:
- Divert children with mild-to-moderate support needs to mainstream supports.
- Preserve the NDIS for those with more complex or lifelong disabilities.
- Improve access to early help without long waitlists or complex eligibility hurdles.
According to the Department of Social Services, children currently on the NDIS will not be removed until new supports are in place. However, it is expected that new entrants with milder needs may be directed to Thriving Kids instead of receiving an NDIS plan.
What Does This Mean for Families?
For families of neurodivergent children or children with developmental delay and Early Childhood Intervention Providers, this shift raises important questions:
- Will supports be equivalent to the NDIS?
- How will eligibility be assessed?
- What happens during the transition?
Consultation on Foundational Supports has already commenced, and the government has committed to further consulting with the disability community, including paediatric experts like Frank Oberklaid, to design the program in a way that ensures continuity and quality.
Biala Peninsula’s Role and Readiness
At Biala Peninsula, we understand the anxiety and hope this reform brings. We’re actively monitoring developments and preparing to support families through the transition—whether that means helping them navigate new systems or continuing to deliver high-quality, inclusive services.
What’s Next?
As the Thriving Kids initiative evolves, Biala will
- Keep families informed through updates.
- Advocate for clarity and fairness in eligibility and service design.
- Ensure no child is left behind, regardless of diagnosis or funding pathways.
Thriving Kids represents a bold shift in how Australia supports children with developmental concerns. While change can be daunting, it also brings opportunity—to build a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable system for all.
If you’re a parent or caregiver with questions about how this might affect your child, please reach out to the Biala team. We’re here to help you navigate what’s next.
More information and resources
You can find more information on the Thriving Kids initiative at the following links.
Australian Government Fact Sheet
