What Is Thriving Kids? A Guide for Australian Families

Written by Bloom Healthcare

Thriving Kids

Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government initiative that will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have low to moderate support needs, along with their families, carers and kin. The first state-based services are scheduled to start on 1 October 2026, with the program expected to operate at a national scale by 1 January 2028.

If you are a parent or carer who is worried about your child’s development, you are not alone. Many families are trying to understand where Thriving Kids fits alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and what they should do right now.

This article explains what Thriving Kids is, who it is for, what services are expected, and what the key dates mean for your family, using the public information available as of June 2026.

What is the Thriving Kids program?

Thriving Kids is the first phase of Foundational Supports reform, with governments committing to $4 billion over five years to implement it. It is designed to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and to provide help in the settings where children live, learn and play.

The Australian Government’s Thriving Kids pages also outline that the Commonwealth’s contribution is $2 billion, with at least $1.4 billion provided as direct funding to states and territories for Thriving Kids services.

Thriving Kids responds to the direction of national reform work on the NDIS, including a stronger focus on foundational supports outside the NDIS for people who need early help but do not require the full scheme.

Who is eligible for Thriving Kids?

Based on current Australian Government information, Thriving Kids is intended for:

If you are unsure where your child sits, the next practical step is to speak with your GP, paediatrician, or child health nurse, focusing on functional needs and daily participation rather than labels.

What services will Thriving Kids offer?

The national model describes six service categories. Exact service lists will be finalised by each state and territory, which means availability and access pathways may vary depending on where you live.

Service category

What it is likely to include
Early identification Developmental screening and earlier recognition of support needs, including pathways that help families act sooner.
Information and advice Practical guidance, navigation support, and clearer “where to start” pathways for families.
Family and parenting support Programs and coaching that help families support development and participation at home and in everyday settings.
Targeted allied health Time-limited, targeted therapy supports for children who need extra help for a specific period.
Assistive technology Supports that may include help accessing appropriate assistive technology where it improves daily function.
Workforce capability Efforts to lift capability across early childhood and allied health workforces to deliver consistent, quality supports.

When families search for “early intervention”, they are usually looking for practical help from allied health disciplines such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and where needed Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). The Thriving Kids model points to targeted allied health as a core component, but the precise delivery model will be state-based.

Key dates for Australian families

The Australian Government’s Thriving Kids timeline sets out two dates that matter most:

How does Thriving Kids relate to the NDIS?

The relationship is simple in principle, even if the details can feel confusing.

Important detail for families who already have an NDIS plan. The Australian Government information notes that children enrolled in the NDIS prior to 1 January 2028 are intended to be treated under the eligibility criteria in place prior to that date, with reassessments under the criteria that applied at the time.

Any change to NDIS access settings is implemented through government policy and, where required, legislation and rules that govern the scheme. For the purposes of family decision-making right now, the most useful step is to focus on what supports your child needs today, rather than trying to predict every future detail.

State and territory rollout at a glance

Thriving Kids is national, but delivery is state and territory-based. Here is what is publicly visible at the time of writing:

If you want the cleanest updates, start with the Australian Government Thriving Kids page, then check your state or territory department page for local service details as they are released.

What Australian families can do now

If you are worried about your child’s development, the biggest mistake is waiting for the system to “launch” before acting.

Here are practical next steps you can take now:

  1. Talk to your GP or maternal and child health nurse

    Bring a short list of what you are noticing, when it happens, and what daily life looks like on a hard day.
  2. Do not wait for a diagnosis to seek support

    Early supports often start with functional concerns and participation needs. Diagnosis can help with clarity, but support should be needs-led.
  3. Use allied health services already available

    If your child needs support with communication, movement, behaviour, or daily routines, early allied health can help. Depending on need, that may include Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
  4. Keep an eye on official updates

    Service lists, access pathways, and referral routes are still being finalised by each state and territory. The Australian Government has stated that more details will be made available closer to service commencement.

How Bloom Healthcare supports children and families today

Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 through the Little Bloomers paediatric programme, with services aligned to the kinds of early supports families are looking for.

That includes allied health disciplines such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology/Counselling, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), delivered in a practical, family-centred way.

Bloom Healthcare is ready to support families under Thriving Kids as the new system rolls out, and we already deliver services that align with the intent of early identification, targeted allied health support, and family-centred care. (We are not offering appointments as a Thriving Kids provider.)

Call to action

Bloom Healthcare already supports children aged 0 to 9 with allied health services across Australia. Our team is here to talk through your options and help your family take the next step.

Contact our team | Find a location near you

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What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a national Australian Government initiative designed to support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, along with their families, carers, and kin. It is a coordinated, state and territory-based approach to early childhood intervention during critical developmental years.

Is Thriving Kids the same as the NDIS?

No. Thriving Kids is distinct from the NDIS—it is not an individual funding package or NDIS plan. Instead, it is a complementary early intervention service system that lets children access support earlier through local services.

Who is eligible for Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, along with their families, carers, and kin.

What does 'low to moderate support needs' mean in the context of Thriving Kids?

According to the guide, this is best understood in practical terms rather than labels, and includes families noticing challenges with communication (being understood, following instructions, social communication), daily routines (sleep, toileting, dressing, mealtimes), emotional regulation (big reactions, transitions, sensory overwhelm), participation (childcare routines, play, community outings), and motor skills (coordination, balance, fine motor skills).

Who is not eligible for Thriving Kids?

Children with high support needs or permanent and significant disability are not the target of Thriving Kids, according to the guide.

When does the Thriving Kids rollout begin?

State and territory Thriving Kids services are scheduled to begin rolling out on 1 October 2026.

When will Thriving Kids be fully implemented nationwide?

Full scale, nationwide implementation of Thriving Kids is planned for 1 January 2028.

Who publishes this guide about Thriving Kids?

The guide is published by Bloom Healthcare, a boutique disability and aged care allied health provider that delivers NDIS services across Australia.

How long does it take to read the Thriving Kids guide article?

The estimated reading time for the article is 7 minutes.

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