Thriving Kids vs NDIS for children under 8: what changes, what stays the same, and what to do now

Written by Bloom Healthcare

Thriving Kids

If you have read headlines about Thriving Kids and the NDIS, you are not alone if you feel unsure about what it means for your child. 

Here is the clearest way to think about it. Thriving Kids is being built as a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism with low to moderate support needs. It is intended to roll out state services from 1 October 2026 and be at scale from 1 January 2028.  

The Australian Government has also published that changes to NDIS access arrangements will commence from 1 January 2028 and will be limited to children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism with low to moderate support needs.  

This article focuses on what is confirmed, what is still being finalised, and what families can do now. 

What is Thriving Kids trying to do? 

The Government’s public information describes Thriving Kids as part of Foundational Supports, with joint funding of $4 billion over five years. The intent is earlier identification of developmental needs and easier access to evidence-based supports, delivered through local services in the places children live, learn and play.  

One important detail. Thriving Kids is not described as an individualised funding package. The published model is focused on connecting children and families to supports matched to functional needs.  

What stays the same 

This is the part many families need to hear clearly. 

The Australian Government has published that children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs), will remain eligible for the NDIS, subject to usual arrangements.  

So if your child has high support needs, the published position is that the NDIS remains the right system. 

What changes from 1 January 2028 

The Government has published that changes to NDIS access will commence from 1 January 2028 and will be limited to children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and or autism with low to moderate support needs.  

The Government’s Q and A also explains that “support needs” refers to abilities and needs based on functional capacity, rather than a formal diagnosis, and that this framing is intended to match families to the right supports.  

What if my child is already on the NDIS? 

The Government has published that children aged 8 and under enrolled in the NDIS prior to 1 January 2028 with developmental delay and or autism with low to moderate support needs will be subject to reassessment under the eligibility criteria in place prior to 1 January 2028.  

That wording matters. It signals that there is a transition period and that reassessment processes will be part of the picture for some families. 

What is still being finalised 

The Government has stated that details about specific services and how to access them will be made available closer to services commencing, and that there will be a range of supports matched to each child’s needs and circumstances.  

This is why it can feel vague right now. The national model is published, but the practical “how does my family access this in my suburb” detail is still being built with states and territories.  

What families can do now 

You do not need to wait for 2026 or 2028 to support your child. You can prepare without panic by focusing on three practical things: function, goals, and evidence. 

Start here: 

1) Capture real examples, not labels

Write down what is hard in daily life. Mornings, mealtimes, play, childcare drop off, sleep, toileting, transitions, noisy environments, group time. 

2) Turn concerns into goals

Try “We want our child to be able to…”

For example: “We want our child to be able to follow a two-step instruction at preschool”, or “We want our child to be able to communicate needs without escalating”. 

3) Collect observations from other settings

Childcare, preschool, school transition programs, grandparents, sporting clubs. Ask for short notes on what helps and what makes it harder. 

4) Ask your current team how progress is measured

Not just “Are we doing therapy?” but “What has changed in function over 12 weeks?” 

These steps help regardless of which system your child is in, because the published Thriving Kids model is explicitly linked to functional needs and matching supports to those needs.  

What others are saying, and why it matters 

Alongside Government updates, many advocacy and peak bodies are pushing for one core principle: no child should lose support in the transition. 

For example, Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) has published community concerns about rollout pace and the risk of children “falling through the cracks”, based on its own survey work.  

You do not need to agree with every viewpoint to take the underlying message seriously. The best transition is one where supports are in place, easy to access, and high quality before families are asked to change pathways. 

How Bloom can help, without adding pressure 

Bloom supports families to turn uncertainty into a clear plan. That usually starts with understanding your child’s functional needs now, setting practical goals, and choosing the right mix of support. 

Depending on what is going on for your child, this can include Paediatrics (0-9 and 10-17), Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology/Counselling, Physiotherapy, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Dietitian, and Exercise Physiology. 

If you are unsure where to start, a goal-based intake conversation is often enough to point you in the right direction. 

Contact Us

Author

← Prev: Support at Home Funding Explained Next: Thriving Kids: Eligibility, Rollout, and Support Overview →

You May Also Like…

What Are the Best Home Care Services for Older Australians Wanting to Stay Independent at Home?

Oct 5, 2026

The best home care services for older Australians are the ones that address the specific things making everyday life...

Support at Home Funding Changes from 1 October 2026: What You Need to Know

Sep 22, 2026

From 1 October 2026, Australia's Support at Home program will fully fund approved personal care with no participant...

Thriving Kids targeted supports: what allied health could look like in real life, and what “good” looks like

Aug 25, 2026

When parents hear “targeted supports”, they often picture a waitlist, a short appointment, and generic advice that...

Registration no: 4-JR6F5KX

Provider no: 4050148863

  1300 771 465

 hello@bloom-healthcare.com.au

  Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-6pm

Friday: 7:30am-5pm

Sat: By appointment

Quick Links

NDIS Services

Aged Care

Our Locations

About Us

FAQs

NDIS Information

Make a Referral

Feedback

Policies

Privacy

Advocacy

Your Rights

Incident Management Policy

Emergency Management Policy

Supported Decision Making Policy

Accessibility Statement

 

Connect With Us

https://www.facebook.com/helloBloomHealthcare/  https://www.instagram.com/bloom_healthcareaus/   https://au.linkedin.com/company/bloom-healthcare-australia

Accessibility Tools

Translate »

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a national system of supports being built for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs.

When will Thriving Kids roll out?

Thriving Kids is intended to roll out state services from 1 October 2026 and be at scale from 1 January 2028.

When will changes to NDIS access arrangements for children take effect?

The Australian Government has published that changes to NDIS access arrangements will commence from 1 January 2028.

Which children will be affected by the NDIS access changes starting 1 January 2028?

The changes will be limited to children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.

Is Thriving Kids an individualised funding package like the NDIS?

No, Thriving Kids is not described as an individualised funding package. The published model focuses on connecting children and families to supports matched to functional needs, delivered through local services in the places children live, learn and play.

How much funding has been committed to Thriving Kids and under what program is it delivered?

Thriving Kids is described as part of Foundational Supports, with joint funding of $4 billion over five years.

Will children with high support needs still be eligible for the NDIS?

Yes. The Australian Government has published that children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs), will remain eligible for the NDIS, subject to usual arrangements.

How does the Government define 'support needs' for the purposes of these changes?

The Government's Q&A explains that 'support needs' refers to abilities and needs based on functional capacity, rather than a formal diagnosis.

What is the goal of Thriving Kids in terms of identifying children's needs?

The intent of Thriving Kids is earlier identification of developmental needs and easier access to evidence-based supports for children.

Who publishes this article and what is the estimated reading time?

The article is published by Bloom Healthcare, an NDIS and aged care allied health provider, and has an estimated reading time of 5 minutes.

Images on This Page