Thriving Kids Launches October 1: What Families Need to Know

Thriving Kids, a new national support program for young children with autism and developmental delays, began rolling out today across most Australian states and territories. The scheme will provide foundational supports, information resources, and helplines to families with children aged 0 to 8 years with low-to-moderate needs. The Commonwealth and states will invest $6 billion over five years, with full implementation scheduled by January 2028. Queensland is the only state that has not yet signed on.

What services launch today

Families can now access the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline on 1300 654 789, available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm. The helpline, delivered by autism organisation Amaze with $24.4 million government backing, provides autism-specific information and connections to support services. The Thriving Kids Information and Resource Hub, backed by $9.7 million, launched today through the Raising Children Network to offer families practical resources and development guidance. No diagnosis is required to access these initial supports.

Funding and state participation

The Commonwealth will contribute $2 billion over five years, while states and territories will chip in $4 billion. Western Australia’s rollout involves a joint $361 million investment from federal and state governments. All states and territories except Queensland have signed on. Queensland’s government called the scheme “a bad deal for children with a disability” and cited lack of detail and long-term funding certainty as reasons for holding out.

Timeline and what’s not changing yet

Changes to NDIS access and eligibility will not take effect until January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue accessing the NDIS unchanged. The gradual rollout of community-based services, including peer support, parenting groups, and facilitated playgroups, will continue through 2028. Specialised services such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy will be delivered by states and territories as part of the expanded rollout.

Advocates call for clarity on broader disability support

Disability advocates have urged the government to provide greater clarity on what support will be available for people with disabilities once further NDIS changes take effect. Megan Spindler-Smith, acting chief executive of People with Disability Australia, said gaps for ineligible people would widen as the NDIS changes. A federal government spokesperson said Queensland’s refusal to sign on had left families uncertain about what services they could access.

Final Thoughts

Thriving Kids offers early support pathways for families with young children showing developmental delays or autism, but full services won’t arrive until 2028. Queensland’s holdout and advocate concerns about broader disability gaps suggest implementation challenges ahead.

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