The Report into the Thriving Kids initiative has been released by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability on December 2025.
Below find an easy to understand summary of its findings.
What the Thriving Kids Initiative Is About
In August 2025, the federal government announced the Thriving Kids initiative to focus on early identification of developmental concerns in children aged eight and under and to build a national system of supports for children with mild to moderate developmental delay or disability and their families.
The goal is to offer supports earlier, using mainstream and community services — such as GPs, early learning services and community health centres — so children can get help when it matters most.
Importantly:
Children with permanent and significant disabilities will continue to be supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Thriving Kids is designed to work in parallel with NDIS reform so that supports are more appropriately targeted.
- The government committed $2 billion over five years toward the initiative, with the final design to be agreed with state and territory governments.
A recent Independent Review of the NDIS (published 2023) recommended creating a new system of supports for children outside the NDIS, because many young children with developmental concerns were not being identified early or receiving timely support.
Why the parliamentary inquiry was held
Because the initiative was announced while families and service providers were uncertain about what it would mean for them — especially regarding continued access to existing supports — the Minister for Health and Ageing referred an inquiry into Thriving Kids to this Committee in September 2025.
The Committee invited written submissions, ran a survey, and held multiple public hearings to collect evidence and feedback on how the current system works, what gaps exist, and how the Thriving Kids initiative should be designed to meet community needs.
Structure of the report
The report is laid out as follows:
Chapter 2 looks at the current supports for children in Australia (including the NDIS, early childhood education and care, and school supports).
Chapter 3 examines issues of equity and inclusion (such as for First Nations, culturally diverse, rural and remote communities).
Chapter 4 focuses on the proposed Thriving Kids initiative — considering elements like early identification, workforce, service design, and transition pathways.
The Committee also notes challenges it faced during the inquiry, such as limited information available about the developing program design and gaps in existing data about how supports currently operate.
Key issues and concerns raised by families, service providers, carers and advocates
Uncertainty and fear about loss of supports
Many families expressed worry that the Thriving Kids initiative could reduce access to supports and therapies their children currently receive under the NDIS, especially if eligibility changes mean children are diverted out of the Scheme. They fear this could slow progress or leave children without needed services. Community surveys reported high levels of concern about clarity of the plans, reduced access, and loss of choice and control for families.
Lack of clarity and communication
A major theme was that the government’s plans for Thriving Kids were unclear or poorly communicated to families and providers. Many respondents said they did not understand how eligibility, referral pathways and supports would work in practice.
Involvement in design (co-design)
Families, carers, people with disability and service providers strongly argued that they should be actively involved in co-designing the initiative. They emphasised that reforms must not be developed without meaningful participation from those with lived experience.
Workforce capacity and sustainability
Service providers raised concerns about workforce shortages, training needs and sustainability of services under the new model. Without sufficient trained clinicians and support workers — particularly outside major cities — access to quality services could be limited.
Equity and culturally responsive practice
Several submissions highlighted the need to address equity issues, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and rural and remote families. They stressed culturally safe, tailored supports and outreach to ensure all children benefit equitably.
Integration with existing systems
Some stakeholders urged clarity on how Thriving Kids would integrate with existing systems, including mainstream health, early childhood education and the NDIS, so that supports are not duplicated or fragmented.
Rights-based concerns
Analyses of submissions also pointed to concerns that the initiative might shift away from rights-based support models(like the NDIS) toward programme-based support without enforceable entitlements, potentially weakening protections.
Focus on early identification and navigation supports
Many contributors emphasised the importance of early identification of developmental needs and recommended navigation support to help families find and access the right services without getting lost in the system.
In short, the key issues from families and service providers focused on protecting existing supports, clear communication and pathways, genuine co-design, workforce and capacity challenges, equity and culturally responsive practice, and effective integration with broader service systems. These concerns shaped the Committee’s recommendations aimed at making Thriving Kids responsive, equitable and sustainable.
List of Recommendations
Here’s a detailed and easy-to-understand summary of the List of Recommendations from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability report on the Thriving Kids initiative(December 2025). These recommendations describe what the Committee thinks should happen for the initiative to work well and fairly.
1. Co-design and evidence-based policies
The Thriving Kids Advisory Group should work with families, service providers, disability organisations, and people with lived experience — including First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse communities — to design the initiative and build in evidence-based supports.
2. Establish an Advisory Council
A national Thriving Kids Advisory Council should be created to advise the Australian Government, states and territories, and disability ministers on putting the initiative into practice.
3. Phased implementation and safeguards
The initiative should be rolled out in stages. The Advisory Group should consider safeguards to make sure children do not lose existing supports when Thriving Kids begins. The Committee also recommends amending the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 to clarify how foundational supports should operate alongside the NDIS.
4. Inspector-General of the NDIS
Establish an independent Inspector-General for the NDIS to improve oversight and accountability of services affecting children and families.
5. Streamlined provider registration
Create a provider registration process for Thriving Kids that is proportionate, avoids duplication with other registration systems, and maintains quality safeguards.
6. Commissioned service model
Use a commissioned service delivery model so that high-quality services can be provided across all jurisdictions, including leveraging existing services where appropriate.
7. Technology and access improvements
Fund and implement better technology to support online and remote access to services, with a focus on improving access for regional, rural and remote families.
8. Data and workforce support
Allocate funding and staff for data systems that are accurate, transparent and interoperable, and that follow Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles. Data should improve planning and outcomes for children and families.
9. Single entry portal and referral pathways
Create a single portal of entry with multiple referral pathways so families can access appropriate supports whether through Thriving Kids or the NDIS, and participation in Thriving Kids should not prevent later access to the NDIS.
10. Rapid review after 24 months
After about two years of operation, the Committee should conduct a rapid review of the initiative to assess its effectiveness, with professional and parent groups involved in the review process.
11. Support during transitions
Work with states and territories to fund supports for children and families when children transition into early education, primary school, and further schooling.
12. Regional, rural and remote access
Use both existing and new resources to improve support for children and families in regional, rural and remote areas, including multidisciplinary teams and hub-and-spoke service models.
13. Workforce development and equitable access
Develop workforce and resources across all areas so families can navigate a complex system, supporting equitable access for groups including CALD and Indigenous communities, children in out-of-home care, and other high-risk groups.
14. New health and development item numbers
Introduce item numbers (like those available for adult care reviews) for paediatricians to do yearly developmental reviews, and child development checks for GPs, allied health professionals, early childhood educators and nurses — helping provide another access route into Thriving Kids.
15. School data transparency
Work with states, territories and non-government schools to make data on disability funding and needs more transparent, so resources can be better targeted.
