Australia’s Thriving Kids Programme Begins: What It Means for Autistic Children

Australia’s Thriving Kids autism and developmental delay programme began on 1 October 2026. It will eventually replace National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support for many children under nine with “low to moderate” support needs, but families and advocates say key details are still missing.

Key takeaways

• Thriving Kids is a A$4 billion, five-year programme funded jointly by Australia’s federal, state and territory governments.
• It targets children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and “low to moderate support needs”.
• The first phase, from 1 October 2026, includes an autism helpline and an online information hub; Medicare-funded developmental checks start in November.
• NDIS access rules for children are due to change from 1 January 2028; children already on the NDIS keep access under current rules until then.
• Autistic-led groups such as Reframing Autism have called for the programme to be co-designed with autistic people.

What is the Thriving Kids programme?

Thriving Kids is a set of “foundational supports” delivered outside the NDIS, in places such as early childhood centres, schools and community settings (NDIS). Instead of individual funding packages, families will be offered general information and, after assessment, “targeted supports” such as speech or occupational therapy.

Children with “permanent and significant disability”, including autistic children with high support needs, are meant to stay eligible for the NDIS. The change requires amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.

What changes under Thriving Kids autism supports in October 2026?

Very little changes immediately. The first phase is a Thriving Kids Autism Helpline run by the autism organisation Amaze, plus an online hub from the Raising Children Network (ABC News). States and territories will build targeted supports through 2027, with full rollout expected by January 2028. Queensland has not yet signed on (UNSW Sydney).

What are families and advocates worried about?

The biggest concern is the definition of “low to moderate” needs, which disability advocates say is still unclear. Skye Kakoschke-Moore, chief executive of Children and Young People with Disability Australia, told ABC News “it’s really unclear exactly what that means” (ABC News).

Others fear long waits and gaps for children who turn nine but do not qualify for the NDIS. Nicole Rogerson of Autism Awareness Australia warned of future wait times, while the ACT government said the programme meets unmet need and will not remove children from existing support (ABC News).

Reframing Autism, an autistic-led organisation, has said that any programme for autistic people must be co-designed with autistic people and use neuro-affirming approaches (Reframing Autism).

Why does Thriving Kids matter beyond Australia?

Many countries are debating whether support for autistic children should depend on an individual diagnosis and funding package, or be offered more widely in schools and communities. Thriving Kids is a large test of the second approach, and its success will depend on whether supports are real, timely and shaped by autistic people. Follow our rights and policy coverage, family life section and autism news for updates.

Kaynaklar

• NDIS: Thriving Kids (official)
• ABC News: What is and isn’t changing as Thriving Kids begins (1 October 2026)
• ABC News: ACT government and Thriving Kids rollout (30 September 2026)
• UNSW Sydney: Thriving Kids launches today (October 2026)
• Reframing Autism: response to the Thriving Kids announcement (2025)

This post was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the OtizmTV editorial team.