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Thriving Kids and the NDIS: What Hunter Families Need to Know

Published 22 July 2026 · Reviewed 15 September 2026 · Dr Robert Parry, MBBS FRACP, Paediatrician · reviewed quarterly, next review due December 2026

Two young girls playing and laughing together

If you have a young child with autism or developmental delay, you may have heard about Thriving Kids, a new national programme changing how children are supported and how the NDIS works for younger children. It's understandable to feel unsure about what it means for your family. This page explains it in plain language, and where to turn for help.

This is general information, current as at September 2026. NSW has now published its own rollout timing, which is set out below. Some detail is still being confirmed, so always check the official sources linked below for the latest.

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a joint Australian Government and state and territory programme designed to support children aged 8 and under who have developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs. Rather than everyone needing an NDIS package, these children and families will be able to access a national system of "foundational supports": practical help delivered through mainstream and community services.

The aim is to identify developmental concerns earlier and connect families with support sooner, without needing a formal diagnosis first. Access is based on a child's support needs, not a diagnosis label.

What kind of support does it provide?

Thriving Kids is expected to include two broad types of support:

  • Supports open to all families: clear information and advice about child development, parenting programs and workshops, playgroups, and peer support and community connection.
  • More targeted supports for children who need extra help: early intervention from allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, audiologists and psychologists, help navigating services during transitions, and access to low-cost assistive technology.

Is my child still eligible for the NDIS?

This is the question most families are asking, so here is the plain answer.

Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under assessed as having high support needs, will continue to be supported through the NDIS. Thriving Kids is intended for children with low to moderate needs, who will increasingly be supported through foundational supports instead of an individual NDIS package.

If your child is already on the NDIS, they will not be automatically removed. Current participants with low-to-moderate needs are expected to be reassessed under the eligibility criteria in place before 1 January 2028, not new criteria.

If you are unsure which pathway fits your child, that is exactly the kind of thing a paediatric assessment can help clarify. See our autism assessment page, or read more on our NDIS services page.

When is this happening?

The change is being rolled out in stages:

  • From October 2026: the first Thriving Kids services begin. In NSW this means general supports: peer support programs for parents, and supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under, provided by non-government organisations in local communities.
  • From January 2027: targeted supports begin in NSW. These are goal-focused supports for children who need extra help for a period of time, including allied health therapies delivered by qualified clinicians, individually or in small play-based groups. Access is through a central intake process managed by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
  • Through 2027: more of both kinds of service continue to become available across NSW.
  • From 1 January 2028: the main change to NDIS access for younger children with low-to-moderate needs is planned to take effect. From this point, this group will generally be supported through Thriving Kids and mainstream services.

The two NSW stages are worth separating, because they are often reported as one. What arrives in October 2026 is parent and community support. Allied health therapy through Thriving Kids does not begin in NSW until January 2027.

In short, there is time. Nothing changes overnight, and support for your child continues throughout.

What does this mean for my family right now?

For most Hunter families, the practical steps are the same as they've always been: if you have concerns about your child's development, seek advice early. A clear understanding of your child's strengths and needs is valuable no matter which support pathway they eventually use, for their early years, for starting school, and for accessing help.

A paediatric or developmental assessment can help you understand what's going on for your child and what support may help. See our autism assessment page or our ADHD assessment and care page.

Does this change ADHD support?

No. Thriving Kids is focused on autism and developmental delay in younger children. Support and shared care for ADHD is not part of these changes.

Where can I get the official information?

Because some detail is still being confirmed, we recommend checking these official sources for the latest:

How Hunter Children's Clinics can help

Our team provides paediatric and developmental assessments and ongoing care for children across the Hunter, from our Merewether and Carrington clinics. If you're worried about your child's development, or unsure what these changes mean for your family, we're here to help you understand your child's needs and the support options available.

Contact our team on 02 4072 1877 to discuss an assessment for your child, or see current fees on our fees and referrals page.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you have concerns about your child, please speak with your GP, paediatrician, or our assessment team.

Frequently asked questions

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a national programme supporting children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. It provides "foundational supports": information, parenting programs, community support, and allied health early intervention, delivered through mainstream and community services rather than individual NDIS packages. In NSW, general supports begin from October 2026 and targeted supports from January 2027.

Will my child lose their NDIS funding?

Children already receiving the NDIS will not be automatically removed. Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with high support needs, continue to be supported by the NDIS. Other current participants are expected to be reassessed under the eligibility criteria in place before 1 January 2028, not new criteria.

When do the changes start?

In NSW, general supports begin from October 2026: peer support programs for parents and supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under. Targeted supports, including allied health therapies, begin from January 2027, with access through a central intake process managed by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. More services continue to become available across NSW through 2027. The separate change to NDIS access for younger children with low to moderate needs takes effect from 1 January 2028.

Do I need a diagnosis for my child to get support through Thriving Kids?

No. Thriving Kids is designed around a child's support needs rather than a formal diagnosis. That said, an assessment can still be very helpful for understanding your child's needs and planning support, including for school.

Which children stay on the NDIS?

Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under assessed as having high support needs, remain eligible for the NDIS under the existing arrangements.

Does this affect ADHD support?

No. Thriving Kids relates to autism and developmental delay in younger children. ADHD assessment and shared care are not part of these changes.

Is Thriving Kids available in the Hunter and Newcastle?

Not yet, but NSW has published its timing. General supports begin across NSW from October 2026, and targeted supports including allied health therapy from January 2027, with more services continuing to become available through 2027. NSW has not published Hunter-specific detail, such as which local organisations will deliver services or in what order areas are reached. Hunter Children’s Clinics is not a Thriving Kids provider and cannot refer children into the programme.

Where can I find official information?

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids), NSW Department of Communities and Justice (dcjnsw.info/thrivingkids), and the NDIS (ndis.gov.au) publish the most current detail.

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