Australia Finalises ‘Thriving Kids’ Program for Children’s Disability Support, Amidst Community Concerns

Canberra, Australia – The Australian Government has announced its commitment to the Thriving Kids program, a new foundational support system set to begin rolling out from July 1, 2026. This $2 billion initiative, which the Federal Government will co-fund with state and territory governments, aims to create a national system of early intervention for children aged eight and under with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism.

The program is a cornerstone of the broader NDIS reform, designed to shift support for less intensive needs out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, allowing the NDIS to return to its core purpose of supporting people with permanent and significant disabilities. Thriving Kids will deliver services through mainstream settings like maternal and child health services, GPs, early learning centres, and schools.

However, the rapid timeline has drawn sharp criticism from disability advocacy groups. Organizations like Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) have warned that the proposed rollout timetable is too rushed, risking a gap in essential services. A recent survey revealed that four in five families believe the rollout window is insufficient for the necessary co-design and system readiness, raising fears that children could be left without critical supports while the new system is being established. The government maintains that changes to NDIS access rules will not take effect until the program is fully operational from mid-2027, but families remain anxious about the transition process.