News

---

Commonwealth Government announces a new program called Thriving Kids

The Minister for Health, Aging and Disability Mark Butler MP gave a major speech on the future of the NDIS.

Here is a brief summary of what the Minister announced:

The Commonwealth Government will create a new program called Thriving Kids, to support young children with developmental delay and autism outside of the NDIS. The Commonwealth has committed $2 Billion to the program and will lead the design to ensure national consistency.

Minister Butler acknowledged that families looking for supports in mainstream services have been let down, and that a better system that will enable children to thrive is urgently needed.

NDIS access and eligibility

• Thriving Kids to be rolled out from July 2026
• Eligibility and access to the NDIS will change from July 2027
• Children who are currently NDIS participants will remain on the scheme until Thriving Kids rolls out (subject to existing reassessments processes)
• Thriving Kids is currently under development. The Minister shared examples of what it may include:
  • Examining a new Medicare item for bulk-billed 3-year-old health check to pick up developmental delay
  • Considering a new Medicare allied health item to support children with developmental delay, eg: speech pathology and occupational therapy
  • Expanding child and family hubs
  • More supports at early childhood education and care settings
  • Models like Mental Health Practitioners in Primary Schools
  • Building on the Positive Partnerships program that works with schools to support autistic students
  • Providing support to parents
  • Nationally consistent online information service, that will provide parents free support and guidance on where to seek help if they have concerns about development
  • More supported playgroups

You can read the full speech 👉here👈.