Will My Child Stay on the NDIS Under Thriving Kids?

Key Information

• Existing NDIS plans aren't cancelled automatically at the start of the Thriving Kids rollout, and reassessments will continue under current NDIS criteria in the meantime
• Thriving Kids supports children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate needs – no diagnosis required
• National rollout begins 1 October 2026, with NDIS access changes for children following from 1 January 2028
• Delivery is run by each state and territory, so support available and how it is delivered may differ depending on where you live

If your child aged 0-8 is already an NDIS participant with a current NDIS plan, the rollout of Thriving Kids will not automatically cancel it. However, as Thriving Kids grows and develops, some children may be diverted from the NDIS – either when applying, or at reassessment if they no longer meet the new criteria for NDIS eligibility.

While this might sound intimidating, the government has indicated the rollout will be slow to make sure alternative supports are in place first.

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is designed to provide foundational support for children aged 8 or under with developmental delay and/or autism with “low to moderate support needs”.

It’s a national model being organised between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, which aims to help identify developmental needs earlier and connect children and their families to the right support. This early intervention approach will provide help where and when it’s needed. Importantly, children and families won’t need a diagnosis to access support through Thriving Kids.

This program is intended to divert children 0-8 with these low-to-moderate support needs from the NDIS. This is part of a wider series of reforms to return the NDIS to its original mandate and keep the Scheme sustainable long-term.

Related: Does the NDIS Cover Psychology for Autism?

How Thriving Kids differs from the NDIS

The NDIS was designed to support people living with permanent and significant disability. Thriving Kids is designed for children who need early support, but don’t need NDIS criteria.

When is Thriving Kids starting?

The national model will start rolling out in phases from October 2026. The transition is planned to finish in January 2028, to align with new NDIS eligibility criteria. This gradual rollout gives time for supports to grow across different states and territories, so early intervention support and resources are available as a viable alternative to the NDIS over time.

Will my child be moved off the NDIS?

At this time, no – in future, as eligibility criteria and alternative support options change, this will depend on the level of support your child needs (their functional capacity).

As the rules stand today, you can still apply for the NDIS right up until new access changes come into play from 1 January 2028, as part of reform under the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Act.

After this time, children aged 8 and under will be assessed using the new criteria. The government has specified that children with “developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs” will no longer be eligible for NDIS supports and will instead be supported by Thriving kids.

What happens to my child’s NDIS plan in the meantime?

If your child is currently using an NDIS plan, nothing changes automatically. They will not be moved out of the Scheme without alternative supports in place. Children already on the NDIS will be reassessed as their current plan ends (as per normal); this will be under the current eligibility criteria.

What kind of supports will Thriving Kids offer?

Thriving Kids is for children, their families – parents, carers, siblings or kin – and also for people who work with and regularly spend time with children. While the exact details may change over time with feedback or depending on where you live, the model focuses on:

• Improved awareness of child development and access to quality information – for families, communities, and people who work with and support children.
• Help to identify when a child may need extra support with development and participation, including:
  • Routine child development and health assessments
  • A Medicare Healthy Kids Check
  • A new tool to support GP-led annual health checks for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 with suspected or confirmed neurodevelopmental delay.
  • A National Digital Health Record, to make it easier for families and health providers to keep track of development information.
• Support for families, which may include resources like peer support groups, supported playgroups, and online training or learning materials.
• Targeted supports for children and families who need it; this includes things that might previously sit in NDIS funding, like allied health supports, low-cost assistive technology, and capacity building supports for families needing extra help.
• Making supports work for communities, including for First Nations families and families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
• Supporting people who regularly interact with children or deliver Thriving Kids Supports to understand Thriving Kids, and build their own skills and knowledge on child development, developmental delay, and autism.

Finding Thriving Kids information for your state or territory

While this is a national program, the delivery of Thriving Kids is state-run – details and what support is available will differ by location.

Here is a list of state and territory resources:

• Thriving Kids Victoria
• Thriving Kids NSW
• Thriving Kids Tasmania
• Thriving Kids Northern Territory
• Thriving Kids ACT
• Thriving Kids WA

As of most recent information, Queensland has not finalised an agreement for Thriving Kids with the Commonwealth.

Do families need to do anything right now?

No action is required yet for most families. Plan reassessments will still occur in the usual way - as more supports become available locally from state and territory governments, some children and families will be directed to Thriving Kids.

Here are some things you can do in the meantime:

1. Stay informed. The best thing to do for the moment is to watch for official updates through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the NDIS; staying informed as the rollout progresses is key.
2. Keep paperwork up to date. If your child already has a plan, make sure you keep reports, assessments and other evidence current and relevant. Keep engaging with your NDIS team, and respond promptly to any NDIS communications (like a reassessment letter) when they arrive.
3. If your child isn’t an NDIS participant, talk to an early childhood partner or your child’s GP about where to best find the help you need. This may lead to an NDIS application, or to other pathways for early childhood supports.

How plan management can help simplify your child’s NDIS journey

Plan management frees up your time to focus on your family, by taking on the financial admin of your child’s NDIS plan. NDSP empowers plan managed participants and their families across Australia, with a helpful and responsive team ready to answer your questions when you need us.

With our Nappa portal you can see a live view of budgets at any time, on any device. If you’re looking for information on all things NDIS, try our free online participant toolbox or check out our blog for tips, helpful guides and latest NDIS updates.

If you’re curious about whether NDSP is the right fit for your plan management needs, why not get in touch with our friendly team today – we would love to hear from you.