Thriving Kids Explained: What Families of Children Under 8 Can Do Right Now

Thriving Kids is a new national program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. The first phase started on 1 October 2026, and if your child already has an NDIS plan, nothing about how it works changes until at least 1 January 2028.

That's the headline. But if you're a parent or carer, the real question is probably: what does this mean for us, and what can I actually do today? Here's a plain-English answer, including the free supports you can use right now.

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is an Australian Government program, delivered with state and territory governments, that aims to help families spot developmental concerns early and connect with support sooner, without needing a formal diagnosis or an NDIS application first. It works alongside the NDIS and everyday services like GPs, child and family health nurses, playgroups and schools.

Who is Thriving Kids for?

Thriving Kids is designed for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and for their families, carers and kin. Your child doesn't need a diagnosis to access it.

Children with permanent and significant disability, or high support needs, will continue to be supported through the NDIS.

What Thriving Kids supports are available right now?

Three national supports opened on 1 October 2026. You don't need to apply for any of them:

•  Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub: reliable information on child development, developmental delay and autism, run by the Raising Children Network.

•  National child and family health phone line: expert advice from child and family health nurses on development and behaviour. Call 1800 882 436 (7 days, 7 am to midnight AET), or use the video call option.

•  Thriving Kids Autism Helpline: autism-specific information, guidance and connections to services for families with children aged 0 to 8, run by Amaze. Call 1300 654 789, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 pm. It's also available through the National Relay Service.

What's coming next?

The rest of Thriving Kids is being rolled out gradually, state by state, with everything in place by 1 January 2028. Services are expected to include peer support, parenting groups, facilitated playgroups and family programs. For children who need more, states and territories will also deliver specialised help such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, social work, psychology and low-cost assistive technology. The Government expects allied health services to start becoming available during 2027.

Because most of this is delivered by state and territory governments, what's on offer, and when, will depend on where you live. Each state has its own Thriving Kids page (the Raising Children Network lists them all), and it's worth bookmarking yours.

Thriving Kids vs the NDIS: what's the difference?

Does Thriving Kids change my child's NDIS plan?

Not right now. The NDIA has confirmed there are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028, and children who currently receive NDIS supports keep them. Until then, children aged 8 and under can still apply to the NDIS under the current rules. If you want the broader picture on where the NDIS is heading, we've covered it in our guide to the major NDIS changes coming.

After 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs are expected to be supported through Thriving Kids and mainstream services rather than the NDIS. The detail of how that transition works is still being settled between governments, so we'll update this guide as it's confirmed.

What can I do now if I'm worried about my child's development?

A few practical starting points, none of which need to wait for the rollout:

•  Talk to someone free today. The child and family health line (1800 882 436) or the Autism Helpline (1300 654 789) can help you work out whether what you're seeing is worth following up.

•  Keep notes and paperwork. Jot down what you're noticing, and keep any reports from your GP, child health nurse, kindy or school. They'll help whether you go through Thriving Kids, the NDIS or a private provider.

•  Don't pause supports you already have. If your child is already seeing a therapist or on an NDIS plan, there's no need to stop and wait for Thriving Kids.

•  Check your state's Thriving Kids page for local services and start dates.

•  Find a provider now if you need one. Waiting for early intervention can feel hard, and many families want to start sooner.

This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Your GP or paediatrician is the right person for questions about your child's health.

How can MySolas help you find support for your child?

While Thriving Kids services are still rolling out, you don't have to wait to find support. You can browse NDIS providers on MySolas, including providers who work with young children, by location and type of support. You'll find profiles to compare, so you can see who might be a good fit before you reach out. If you're not sure how to choose, our guide to comparing NDIS providers with confidence walks through what to look for.

If you'd rather not search alone, MySolas Match is our free service. Tell us about your child's age, what you're looking for and where you live, and one of our team members will review your request and connect you with providers who suit your needs. There's no obligation to go with anyone you're matched with.

And if you're trying to make sense of how plan funding works, our explainer on NDIS budget categories (Core, Capacity Building and Capital) is a good place to start.

Frequently asked questions about Thriving Kids

Does my child need a diagnosis to get Thriving Kids support?

No. Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs can access Thriving Kids without a formal diagnosis.

Is Thriving Kids replacing the NDIS?

Not for now. Thriving Kids runs alongside the NDIS. From 1 January 2028, children 8 and under with low to moderate support needs are expected to be supported through Thriving Kids and mainstream services instead of the NDIS, while children with permanent and significant disability stay on the NDIS.

Will my child lose their NDIS supports?

Children currently receiving NDIS supports keep them, and there are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028.

Do I need to apply for Thriving Kids?

No application is needed for the national supports (the Information and Resources Hub, the child and family health line and the Autism Helpline). Other supports will be available through community settings such as GPs, early childhood services, schools and state programs as they roll out.

When will allied health services like speech therapy and occupational therapy be available through Thriving Kids?

The Government expects allied health services to start becoming available during 2027, with all supports in place by 1 January 2028. The timing varies by state, so check your state or territory's Thriving Kids page.

Ready to find the right support for your child?

Browse NDIS providers on MySolas to compare options near you, or create a free MySolas profile and request help through MySolas Match. We'll do the legwork so you can focus on your child.