What Are "Foundational Supports"?
Published 22 July 2026 · Reviewed 15 September 2026 · Dr Robert Parry, MBBS FRACP, Paediatrician · reviewed quarterly, next review due December 2026
You may have seen the term "foundational supports" in news about the NDIS and Thriving Kids. It sounds like jargon, so here's what it actually means for families.
General information, current as at September 2026. NSW has now published when each kind of support begins. See the official sources below.
The plain meaning
Foundational supports are services designed to help children and families outside of an individual NDIS package, through mainstream and community services. They're a key part of the Thriving Kids programme for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate needs. Read our guide to Thriving Kids and the NDIS changes.
The two broad types
- Supports open to all families: clear information and advice about child development, parenting programs and workshops, playgroups, and peer and community connection. In NSW these begin from October 2026, starting with parent peer support programs and supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under.
- More targeted supports for children who need extra help: early intervention from allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and psychologists, help navigating services during transitions, and access to low-cost assistive technology. In NSW these begin from January 2027, with access through a central intake process managed by the Department of Communities and Justice.
The distinction matters for planning. The general supports are the ones that arrive first; the allied health therapy most families picture when they hear "early intervention" sits in the second group, which starts a few months later in NSW.
How they fit with the NDIS
Think of it as a broader system of help. Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with high support needs, continue with the NDIS. Children with low-to-moderate needs will increasingly be supported through these foundational supports instead. Importantly, access is based on a child's support needs, not a formal diagnosis. See our guide to is my child still eligible for the NDIS?
What to do if your child needs help now
If you have concerns about your child's development, seek advice early. An assessment can help you understand your child's needs and what support may help, useful whichever pathway they use. See our autism assessment page.
Contact our team on 02 4072 1877 to discuss your child's needs.
Read more
- Thriving Kids and the NDIS changes
- NDIS changes for children: what's actually changing, and when
- Is my child still eligible for the NDIS?
- Thriving Kids in Newcastle and the Hunter
- Do I still need an autism assessment under Thriving Kids?
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 are foundational supports?
Services that help children and families through mainstream and community options rather than an individual NDIS package, including information, parenting programs, community connection, and allied health early intervention. They come in two groups: general supports open to all families, which begin in NSW from October 2026, and targeted supports for children who need extra help, which include allied health therapy and begin in NSW from January 2027.
Do I need a diagnosis to access them?
No. Access to Thriving Kids foundational supports is based on a child's support needs rather than a formal diagnosis.
