Families are searching for practical answers about what Thriving Kids is, how it works, how to apply and what it means for the NDIS. This guide answers those questions in plain English.
1. What is the Thriving Kids disability program?
Thriving Kids is an early intervention program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs.
It is part of a broader plan to give children and families more support outside the NDIS. Thriving Kids is designed to help families identify developmental concerns early, understand their options and connect with the right support.
The program works alongside everyday services, including GPs, child and family health services, early childhood services, schools, playgroups and community organisations.
2. How does the Thriving Kids program work?
Thriving Kids is being rolled out in stages from October 2026 to January 2028.
The program brings together national, state and territory supports. Some services are available to all families now, while other supports will become available in local communities over time.
Thriving Kids is designed to be:
- child-centred and family-centred
- strengths-based and neuro-affirming
- evidence-based
- culturally appropriate
- available in places where children live, learn and play
- flexible and inclusive.
The support a family receives will depend on the child’s needs, the family’s circumstances and the services available in their area.
3. What age is Thriving Kids for?
Thriving Kids is for children aged 8 and under.
It supports children with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs. It also supports the parents, carers, siblings and kin who help care for those children.
4. Is Thriving Kids for ADHD, autism or developmental delay?
The current national description of Thriving Kids specifically names children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
ADHD is not listed as a separate national eligibility category. However, families who have concerns about a child’s attention, learning, behaviour, development or wellbeing can still use the Thriving Kids information and phone services to find out what support may be available.
If a child has ADHD as well as developmental delay or autism, their family can ask the service they contact about the most appropriate pathway. A GP, child health nurse, early childhood educator or school can also help a family work out what support may be useful.
5. Does my child need a diagnosis for Thriving Kids?
No. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to access the first Thriving Kids supports.
You can look for information and advice if you are worried about your child’s communication, learning, behaviour, movement, social interaction, daily activities or emotional regulation. This can be helpful while you are waiting for an assessment, or when you are not sure what your child needs.
6. Is Thriving Kids the same as the NDIS?
No. Thriving Kids is separate from the NDIS.
Thriving Kids is an early intervention pathway for younger children with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. The NDIS remains a separate scheme for people with permanent and significant disability who meet the usual eligibility criteria.
The two systems will operate alongside each other during the rollout.
7. Can children still access the NDIS?
Yes. There are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility for children until 1 January 2028.
Children aged 8 and under can still apply for the NDIS under the current rules. If your child is eligible for the NDIS now, the launch of Thriving Kids does not remove their current access.
From 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs are expected to receive support through Thriving Kids and mainstream services instead of the NDIS.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with developmental delay or autism with high support needs, will continue to be able to access the NDIS if they meet the usual eligibility criteria.
8. How do I access Thriving Kids?
You can start with the Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub or by calling one of the national phone services. These are designed to be an easy first step for families who are worried about a child’s development or do not know where to start.
The national child development phoneline is available on 1800 882 436, 7 days a week from 7 am to midnight AET. Families can speak with a maternal and child health nurse or use the video call service.
The Thriving Kids Autism Helpline is available on 1300 654 789, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm. It provides autism-specific information and advice for families of children aged 0-8.
As the program grows, families may also access support through their GP, child health nurse, early childhood service, school or a local community provider.
9. How do I apply for or register for Thriving Kids?
You do not need to complete one central Thriving Kids application or registration form to access the national information and phone services available now.
To get started, you can use the Information and Resources Hub, call one of the national phone services or speak with a professional who knows your child. They can help you understand what support may be available now and what local services may suit your family.
Some future targeted supports will have local intake or referral pathways. These will be introduced by state and territory governments as new services become available.
10. What are examples of Thriving Kids supports?
Thriving Kids will offer a mix of general support, family support and targeted support. Examples include:
- information and advice about child development, developmental delay and autism
- help recognising when a child may need extra support
- help finding the right services and supports
- supported playgroups
- peer support groups and parenting programs
- practical resources, online training and short learning materials for families
- allied health support, including speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology
- low-cost assistive technology, such as communication aids or sensory tools
- capacity-building support for families who need extra help.
Not every service will be available immediately or in every area. Services are being introduced over time.
11. What Thriving Kids support is available now?
From 1 October 2026, families can access:
- the Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub
- advice from child and family health nurses through the national phoneline
- the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline.
These are general supports. They can help families understand a child’s development, ask questions and find the next best step.
Further national, state and territory supports will become available during 2027, with the full rollout expected by 1 January 2028.
12. How will Thriving Kids be funded?
Thriving Kids is jointly funded by the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
Governments have committed $4 billion over five years to Thriving Kids. This includes funding for national supports and services delivered by states and territories.
Thriving Kids is separate from an NDIS plan budget. Families do not need to use NDIS funding to access the national information and phone supports that have launched.
13. How much will I have to pay for Thriving Kids?
The Thriving Kids national information hub, Autism Helpline and child development phone and video advice services are free for families.
For other supports being rolled out, such as allied health services, playgroups and targeted programs, any costs will depend on the service and arrangements in your state or territory. The Australian Government has not published one nationwide fee schedule for every Thriving Kids service.
Before booking, ask the provider whether the support is free, whether there are any out-of-pocket costs, and whether you need a referral. Private services you choose outside Thriving Kids may have their own fees.
15. What happens if my child already has an NDIS plan?
Nothing changes straight away. Your child can keep using their current NDIS plan as approved.
There are no changes to child NDIS access before 1 January 2028. If future changes may affect your child, the NDIS will provide information about the process. Continue to use your plan, attend your child’s supports and ask questions if you are unsure about what might happen next.
15. How do I apply for Thriving Kids in NSW?
There is not one statewide NSW application form for every Thriving Kids support.
In NSW, Thriving Kids services are being introduced gradually. From October 2026, families can start accessing local peer support programs and supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under in areas where services are available.
From January 2027, NSW will begin introducing goal-focused, short-term allied health supports for children who need extra help. These services may include individual or small-group, play-based therapy delivered by qualified clinicians.
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice, often called DCJ, will publish information about eligibility, intake and referral pathways as services become available. Families can also join the NSW Thriving Kids mailing list for updates.
16. What is DCJ Thriving Kids?
DCJ stands for the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
In NSW, DCJ is coordinating the rollout of Thriving Kids services. It will commission non-government organisations to deliver some local supports and, in some locations, NSW Government agencies will provide services directly.
DCJ will also manage the central intake process for targeted NSW supports as those services become available.
17. How do I become a Thriving Kids provider?
There is no single Australia-wide provider registration form for Thriving Kids.
Services will be delivered through a mix of existing and new supports run by Australian, state and territory governments, community organisations and commissioned providers. Provider arrangements will vary by location.
Organisations that want to deliver Thriving Kids supports should watch for information from their state or territory government about commissioning, grants, procurement and local service delivery opportunities. In NSW, DCJ will provide updates as more services are introduced.
18. What should parents do now?
You do not need to make a rushed decision. Start with what your child and family need today.
You might want to:
- speak with your GP, child health nurse, early childhood educator or school
- use the national phone services if you have questions about development, behaviour or autism
- keep using your child’s current NDIS plan if they have one
- ask for help if you are waiting for an assessment or do not know where to begin
- check what services are becoming available in your state or territory.
Plan Hero is the best plan manager for parents
Thriving Kids gives families another way to find early support, but children can still access the NDIS under the current rules. If your child has an NDIS plan, you do not have to manage the invoices, claims and budget on your own.
Plan Hero is built for parents and families. Our specialist plan managers understand that family life is busy and that the NDIS can feel overwhelming. We help by paying providers, tracking budgets, keeping invoices organised and explaining funding in plain English.
With your own Plan Hero plan manager, an easy-to-use app and portal, regular budget updates and a team that gets to know your family, you can spend less time on admin and more time supporting your child.
If your child is eligible for the NDIS now or in the future, Plan Hero can help make the financial side of their plan simpler for your family.
Sources
- Raising Children Network. Thriving Kids: FAQs about support, eligibility and access. Accessed 3 October 2026. https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/thriving-kids/thriving-kids-program-your-questions-answered
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. About Thriving Kids. Updated 1 October 2026. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids/about-thriving-kids
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Supports being rolled out. Updated 1 October 2026. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids/supports-being-rolled-out
- National Disability Insurance Agency. First phase of Thriving Kids supports start today. 1 October 2026. https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11706-first-phase-thriving-kids-supports-start-today
- NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Thriving Kids. Accessed 3 October 2026. https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/disability-and-inclusion/thriving-kids.html
