← Back to Blog

Thriving Kids in Newcastle and the Hunter: What Families Need to Know

Published 22 July 2026 · Reviewed 6 October 2026 · Dr Robert Parry, MBBS FRACP, Paediatrician · reviewed quarterly, next review due December 2026

A note from Dr Robert Parry

What follows is my own note to families as a paediatrician, not a statement of government policy or of any guideline.

I recognise that there is a lot of frustration in the community at the moment. Many families do not know where to go for information, and many feel they have been let down. To some, this looks like a big cost-cutting exercise at the expense of children's development, one that in the long term could have disastrous results for their outcomes. I recognise people's frustration.

As a paediatrician and the director of this clinic, I have no more information than the government has released so far, and at the moment that is not much, particularly about what will be available locally.

I start from the position that taking diagnosis away as the price of help is the right call. Support should reach a child when a concern is first noticed, not after a waitlist and a report. We have been here before, though. Early intervention did not require a diagnosis on paper, yet in my experience a diagnosis letter became the thing that actually moved a child forward. Under Thriving Kids, families should not have to chase a label to get help.

A diagnosis still has a job. It is a way of understanding a child, not a verdict on them. That a child's mind works differently from most is a fact. That different means worse does not follow. Describing plainly what a child is up against is not putting them down. It is what gets them help.

Difference is real, and disability is real. Some children will do well with a playgroup, parent support, and a block of therapy. Some need more, for longer, and for many of them the NDIS remains.

Much of the work in childhood is in service of the adult the child becomes. Part of the role of a clinician is to advocate for the young people and families we care for. We will update this page as more information becomes available.

Dr Robert Parry, MBBS FRACP, Paediatrician

Two young girls playing and laughing together

Thriving Kids: what families need to know

Key facts, as at 6 October 2026

  • Thriving Kids is a new government programme for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and for their families. A diagnosis is not needed.
  • In NSW it started rolling out in stages in October 2026, beginning with peer support programs for parents and supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under.
  • Allied health therapy through Thriving Kids begins in NSW from January 2027, through a central intake process run by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
  • NSW has not yet published which Thriving Kids services are running in Newcastle or the Hunter, or which local organisations will deliver them.
  • Changes to NDIS access for this group are due to start on 1 January 2028. Children already on the NDIS are not affected by these changes before then.
  • Help now: the national phoneline to a child health nurse on 1800 882 436, and the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline on 1300 654 789.
  • Hunter Children's Clinics is not a Thriving Kids provider and cannot refer children into the programme.

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 October 2026. The first Thriving Kids services started rolling out in NSW in October 2026, and the NSW timing 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 started rolling out. 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 started in October 2026 is parent and community support. Allied health therapy through Thriving Kids does not begin in NSW until January 2027. NSW says not every service will be available in every location, and it has not yet published where services are running or how families can access them.

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

Thriving Kids in Newcastle and the Hunter

NSW is introducing Thriving Kids in stages across the state. As at 6 October 2026, NSW has not published which Thriving Kids services are running in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens or the wider Hunter, which local organisations will deliver them, or in what order areas will be reached. NSW says not every service will be available in every location, and that it will publish where services are and how families can access them as they roll out. We will update this page when it does.

In NSW, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) leads the rollout. General supports are provided by non-government organisations in local communities. Targeted supports, including allied health therapy, are delivered by non-government organisations commissioned by DCJ, and directly by NSW Government agencies in some locations, with access through a central intake process managed by DCJ.

Hunter Children's Clinics is not a Thriving Kids provider, and we cannot refer your child into the programme. What we can do is assess your child and help you understand their needs, whichever pathway they end up using, from our clinics in Merewether and Carrington.

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.

Help you can use now

While local services are being set up, three national Thriving Kids supports are already open to any family, wherever you live:

  • National phoneline: talk with a maternal and child health nurse about your child's development or behaviour, for children aged 8 and under. Call 1800 882 436, or use video call, 7am to midnight, 7 days a week.
  • Thriving Kids Autism Helpline: autism information and advice for families of children aged 0 to 8, whether your child has a diagnosis or you are still finding out. Call 1300 654 789, 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Thriving Kids information hub: trusted information about child development, run by the Raising Children Network, at raisingchildren.net.au/thrivingkids.

The NSW Government also suggests that families with concerns talk with their doctor or child and family health nurse. Your child does not need a diagnosis to use Thriving Kids.

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 started rolling out in stages from October 2026, and targeted supports begin 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 started rolling out in stages 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 Newcastle and the Hunter?

The rollout has started, but NSW has not yet said which services are running where. General supports started rolling out across NSW in stages from October 2026, and targeted supports including allied health therapy begin 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.

Who delivers Thriving Kids in NSW?

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice leads the rollout. General supports are provided by non-government organisations in local communities. Targeted supports are delivered by non-government organisations commissioned by DCJ, and directly by NSW Government agencies in some locations, with access through a central intake process managed by DCJ. 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), the NSW Government's family page (nsw.gov.au), and the NDIS (ndis.gov.au) publish the most current detail.

Where can I get help while Thriving Kids services are being set up?

Three national supports are already open to any family. You can call the national phoneline on 1800 882 436 to talk with a maternal and child health nurse (7am to midnight, 7 days a week), call the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline on 1300 654 789 (8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday), or visit the Thriving Kids information hub at raisingchildren.net.au/thrivingkids. The NSW Government also suggests talking with your doctor or child and family health nurse.

Read more