UPDATE: FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORTS - Easy Read
- Clean&Personal
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
On 25 August 2025, I wrote an article explaining the new foundational supports program Thriving Kids. You can view that blog post here.
Below are updates to that article around Thriving Kids. So, what has changed or been announced in the past six months?
Big Picture – Thriving Kids Still Going Ahead
The Australian Government confirmed a new program called Thriving Kids. It has $2 billion to help young children with developmental delays or disability who aren’t eligible for the NDIS.This program focuses on early help, because children learn best when supported early.
When It’s Starting
Thriving Kids is planned to start from 1 July 2026, but it won’t happen all at once. It will be rolled out over time, and each state and territory still needs to agree on how the program will be delivered.
Who Thriving Kids Is For
Thriving Kids is for:
Children with development delay
Children with mild to moderate disability
Children who currently can’t get help through the NDIS
Families paying for help themselves who find it too hard or expensive
The goal is to offer help sooner — before children fall behind and before families struggle to find supports.
What It Might Include
The program might include things like:
Early developmental support (like therapy for learning and communication)
Help for parents and carers
Local community services that are easy to get to
Plans for checking in later if a child needs more help in the futureThese details are still being worked out.
Why Thriving Kids Matters
Thriving Kids responds directly to long-standing concerns that:
many children need support but don’t qualify for the NDIS
families face long waits, high costs, or inconsistent services
the NDIS has become the default pathway even for lower-level needs
The program is intended to intervene earlier, reduce pressure on the NDIS, and provide more appropriate support for children with emerging or moderate needs.
What Has Happened Since We Last Wrote About It
a) Parliamentary Inquiry
A government committee looked at Thriving Kids and said:
It’s a good idea to focus on early intervention
Families need guarantees that existing help won’t disappear
More detail is needed on how children will qualify and get support
The rollout needs to be carefully phased in
Workforce planning is important, especially outside cities
b) Fact Sheet Released A short official fact sheet was published by the federal health department in October 2025. It explains the program’s goals, who it’s for and why it’s being created. But, it doesn’t yet say exactly how families will apply, how long help lasts, or how support connects with other systems like health and education.
c) Advisory Group Working on Design
A Thriving Kids advisory group has been meeting.They’re helping the government think about:
Who should be eligible
What services should be included
How to make sure there are enough therapists and specialists
How to connect Thriving Kids with existing disability and health supports
d) National Survey of Families
A national survey asked parents and carers what they think. Key findings were:
Most parents think the launch date is too soon
Families want guarantees that supports won’t stop while the new program starts
Parents want clear information and better planning
Many people feel confused or worried by the changes. The survey also said supports should be flexible, based on real evidence, and tailored to each child’s needs.
6. What Isn’t Decided Yet
Several important things are still unclear:
How families will apply for support
Whether there will be income or means tests
Exactly how support decisions will be made
How Thriving Kids will tie in with schools, health and other services.
More details are expected around the 2026 federal and state budgets.
What to Watch For Next
Here are the big things coming next:
Official rules for who can get help
State-by-state plans for how the program will be delivered
How providers and therapists will be funded or registered
Clear timelines for when families can start accessing services
Thank you for reading and watch this space for further updates.
