Thriving Kids NDIS 2026: What the New Program Means for Families

A major change to early childhood disability and developmental support has officially begun in Australia.

On 1 October 2026, the Australian Government announced that the first phase of Thriving Kids supports had started.

The program is being progressively introduced across Australia and is intended to provide children and families with earlier access to information, developmental support and services in everyday settings.

For families of children with developmental delay or autism, however, the announcement may also raise some worrying questions:

Is Thriving Kids replacing the NDIS for children?

Will my child lose their NDIS plan?

Who is Thriving Kids for?

Does my child need an autism diagnosis?

What actually started on 1 October?

And what happens in 2028?

There is a lot of information circulating online, and not all of it clearly separates what is happening now from what is planned for 2028.

This guide explains the latest official Thriving Kids information available as of 6 October 2026.

Quick Answer: What Is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a joint Australian, state and territory government initiative designed to strengthen early supports for children aged 8 and under who have extra developmental needs.

The program is particularly relevant to children with developmental delay and/or autism, including children with low-to-moderate support needs.

The first supports started rolling out in October 2026, with the full range of supports intended to be rolled out by 1 January 2028.

Importantly:

There are no changes to how people access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.

That distinction is one of the most important things families need to understand right now.

What’s the Latest Thriving Kids Update?

The latest major update happened on:

1 October 2026

The Government confirmed that the first phase of Thriving Kids supports is now underway.

This isn’t simply another announcement about a future program.

Some resources and services are now available, while additional supports will progressively roll out between now and January 2028. NDIS

The rollout is occurring nationally as well as through individual states and territories, meaning the exact services available can vary by location and will expand over time.

What Thriving Kids Supports Are Available Now?

The October launch includes several practical resources families can begin accessing.

Current Australian Government resources include:

• Thriving Kids Information and Resource Hub, delivered by Raising Children Network
• A national child-development phone service on 1800 882 436, where families can speak with a maternal and child health nurse
• Thriving Kids Autism Helpline — 1300 654 789
• Online information and resources about children’s development
• Guidance for families and the workforce supporting children.

The child-development phone service is currently available from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week, according to the Government’s October implementation information.

What Is the New Thriving Kids Autism Helpline?

One of the most significant additions launched on 1 October is the:

Thriving Kids Autism Helpline

1300 654 789

The helpline is delivered by autism organisation Amaze and provides autism-specific information, guidance and connections to relevant supports and services.

The Government says it is intended for families with children aged 0 to 8 who may be on the journey toward an autism diagnosis or who already have a diagnosis. HealthGov Australia

This is particularly useful for families who may be asking:

“I’ve noticed something about my child’s development. Where do I even start?”

Thriving Kids is intended to create more pathways to help families answer that question without automatically making the NDIS the first or only pathway.

Does My Child Need an Autism Diagnosis to Access Thriving Kids?

No.

This is an important feature of the new system.

The Government’s new family information says:

A diagnosis is not required to access Thriving Kids support.

The program is intended to help families when they notice that their child may need extra assistance with development, learning or participation—even before a formal diagnosis has been made.

That could include concerns relating to areas such as:

communication

learning

movement

interaction with others

or

managing emotions.

The aim is to make earlier support easier to access rather than requiring every family to wait for a formal diagnosis before seeking help.

Who Is Thriving Kids For?

Thriving Kids is focused on families with children aged 8 and under who need extra developmental support.

The broader reforms particularly concern children aged 8 and under with:

developmental delay

and/or

autism

with low-to-moderate support needs.

The Government’s model is intended to provide support earlier and in places children already spend time, rather than relying solely on specialist disability systems.

What Types of Support Will Thriving Kids Provide?

The Government’s October family resources identify a range of supports that will be developed through Thriving Kids.

These include:

Online information and resources

Families will be able to access reliable information about child development, developmental delay and autism.

Developmental checks

The program includes existing health and development checks as well as new checks, including planned checks for children aged three.

Trusted advice

Families will have pathways to seek guidance about child development and autism.

Peer and family support

This can include parenting groups, peer support, facilitated playgroups and family programs.

Professional support

Specialised assistance from healthcare professionals will also form part of the system.

Not every service will be available everywhere immediately.

The system is being progressively built.

Where Will Thriving Kids Support Be Provided?

One of the key principles of Thriving Kids is that support should be available in the places children normally:

live, learn and play.

The Government says services will mostly be delivered in everyday settings such as:

home

community settings

and other environments where children spend their time.

This reflects a broader move toward supporting children in their everyday environments rather than requiring families to navigate a disability-specific system for every developmental need.

Is Thriving Kids Replacing the NDIS?

No—not for everyone.

This is probably the most important misconception to address.

Thriving Kids is not simply replacing the entire NDIS pathway for all children with disability or autism.

The planned NDIS access changes from 1 January 2028 are targeted.

Current Government information says the changes will particularly affect children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs. HealthGov Australia

Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be eligible for the NDIS subject to the Scheme’s eligibility requirements.

Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity / high support needs will also remain eligible under the announced arrangements.

So headlines suggesting:

“Children with autism are being removed from the NDIS”

are far too broad.

What Happens to Children Already on the NDIS?

This is where families need to pay close attention to the dates.

The Government’s current information says children aged 8 and under who are already accessing the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to be reassessed under the eligibility criteria that applied before 1 January 2028.

This means the launch of Thriving Kids on 1 October 2026 does not automatically cancel an existing child’s NDIS plan.

It also doesn’t mean every young child with autism or developmental delay suddenly moves from the NDIS to Thriving Kids.

The transition is much more gradual.

Will My Child Lose Their NDIS Plan Now?

No automatic removal occurs simply because Thriving Kids has launched.

The Government specifically states that:

There are no changes to how people access the NDIS until 1 January 2028. HealthGov Australia

If your child currently has an NDIS plan, continue using the plan in accordance with its approved arrangements unless the NDIA tells you otherwise.

Don’t stop supports because you saw a social media post about Thriving Kids.

Don’t assume your child’s funding has disappeared.

And don’t assume an October 2026 launch means NDIS eligibility changed on 1 October.

It didn’t.

What Changes on 1 January 2028?

This is the second major date families need to know.

1 January 2028

The Government plans to introduce new NDIS access arrangements for children aged 8 and under.

Under the announced reforms, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs will generally be supported through Thriving Kids, mainstream services and foundational supports rather than entering the NDIS through those needs alone.

Children with permanent and significant disability or sufficiently high support needs will continue to have an NDIS pathway subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.

Thriving Kids Timeline: 2026–2028

The Government says all governments are investing $4 billion over five years from mid-2026 in Thriving Kids.

What Happens When a Child Turns 9?

The Government’s latest NDIS reform information provides an important clarification here.

For children aged 8 and under who are already accessing the NDIS before 1 January 2028, existing reassessment criteria continue to apply before that date.

However, once those children turn 9, they will be reassessed under the new eligibility criteria based on functional capacity from 1 January 2028.

This is an area families should monitor carefully as implementation guidance continues to develop.

Is Thriving Kids Only for Children With Autism?

No.

Autism is an important part of the reform, but Thriving Kids isn’t an autism-only program.

It is designed for children with a broader range of developmental needs.

A child may need additional assistance with:

communication

movement

learning

social interaction

emotional regulation

everyday development

without necessarily having an autism diagnosis. 

That’s why the program includes broader developmental information and support alongside the dedicated Autism Helpline.

Does a Child Need to Be an NDIS Participant to Use Thriving Kids?

No.

Thriving Kids is being developed as a broader system of support outside the NDIS.

Families shouldn’t interpret it as another NDIS funding category.

It is designed to make developmental information and support available through mainstream, community and targeted services.

This is one of the fundamental differences between the two systems.

Thriving Kids vs NDIS: What’s the Difference?

The simplest way to understand the reform is this:

The two systems will therefore operate alongside each other.

What Does “Low-to-Moderate Support Needs” Mean?

This is an area where families should avoid self-assessing their child’s future NDIS eligibility based on a short phrase.

A child having an autism diagnosis does not automatically tell you whether their support needs will be considered:

low

moderate

or

high.

Functional impact and individual circumstances matter.

Detailed eligibility arrangements will continue to be implemented ahead of 2028.

If your child is currently an NDIS participant, don’t assume their future eligibility based solely on diagnostic labels or informal online discussions.

Will Autism Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Automatically Determine Eligibility?

Parents may understandably ask whether an autism “level” will automatically determine whether a child remains eligible for the NDIS.

The current official reform information is framed around functional capacity and support needs, rather than providing a simple rule such as:

“Level X stays and Level Y leaves.”

The Government specifically refers to children with developmental delay and/or autism who have substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs) continuing to be eligible for the NDIS.

So families should be cautious about social media posts attempting to predict future NDIS eligibility solely from an autism support level.

What Should Parents Do Right Now?

For most families, there is no need to panic.

Instead, focus on what is actually changing.

If your child already has an NDIS plan:

continue using their approved supports

keep useful reports and records

attend relevant reassessments

keep track of changes in functional needs

and

follow official NDIS and Thriving Kids updates.

If your child isn’t on the NDIS but you’re concerned about their development, you can now explore the newly launched Thriving Kids resources.

You do not need to wait for an autism diagnosis before seeking Thriving Kids information and support.

What If You’re Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

You might notice your child needs additional support with things such as:

• Communication
• Playing or interacting with others
• Learning
• Movement
• Everyday skills
• Emotional regulation
• Participating in activities

You don’t need to diagnose the issue yourself.

The new Thriving Kids system is intended to provide families with easier places to start asking questions.

The national child-development service is available on:

1800 882 436

and the dedicated Thriving Kids Autism Helpline is:

1300 654 789 HealthGov Australia

What Does This Mean for Families in Sydney?

Thriving Kids is a national initiative, but state and territory governments will play a significant role in how services are delivered locally.

The national model is intended to provide broadly similar types of support around Australia while allowing individual jurisdictions to build on existing services and respond to local needs. HealthGov Australia

For Sydney families, that means the availability of particular local services will continue to evolve during the rollout.

Don’t assume every planned Thriving Kids service is already available across every Sydney suburb simply because the national program has commenced.

What About Children Who Need Significant Disability Support?

Thriving Kids does not mean the NDIS is abandoning children with significant disability.

The Government has repeatedly stated that children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be eligible for the NDIS subject to normal eligibility requirements.

The current reforms also provide an ongoing NDIS pathway for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have high support needs/substantially reduced functional capacity.

That distinction needs to be included in any accurate explanation of the reform.

Five Thriving Kids Myths Families Should Ignore

MYTH: “Thriving Kids replaced the NDIS on 1 October 2026.”

FACT: No. Thriving Kids began rolling out on 1 October, but NDIS access changes are not scheduled until 1 January 2028.

MYTH: “Every child with autism will lose their NDIS plan.”

FACT: No. Children with permanent and significant disability and children with high support needs can continue to meet NDIS eligibility requirements.

MYTH: “You need an autism diagnosis to access Thriving Kids.”

FACT: No. Current Government family guidance says families do not need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids support. 

MYTH: “Every Thriving Kids service is available now.”

FACT: No. The rollout began in October 2026 and services will progressively expand through to January 2028.

MYTH: “My child’s existing NDIS plan automatically ended when Thriving Kids launched.”

FACT: No. The October launch does not automatically cancel existing NDIS plans.

How Sydney Care Support Supports Children and Families

While Australia’s early-childhood support system is changing, children and families still need practical, respectful and consistent support in everyday life.

Sydney Care Support provides disability support services across Sydney according to each participant’s individual needs and approved support arrangements.

Our services include:

Assistance with Daily Living

Personal Care

Meal Preparation

Domestic Assistance

Social & Community Participation

Transport Assistance

Life Skills Development

For children and young participants, support may involve participating in community activities, developing everyday skills, maintaining routines and working toward greater independence according to their individual needs and goals.

Sydney Care Support works with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.

Importantly, Sydney Care Support does not determine whether a child is eligible for the NDIS or Thriving Kids.

Those decisions sit with the relevant government systems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thriving Kids

Has Thriving Kids officially started?

Yes. The first phase of Thriving Kids officially commenced on 1 October 2026. Services will continue to expand until full rollout by 1 January 2028. NDIS

What age is Thriving Kids for?

Thriving Kids focuses on children aged 8 and under with extra developmental needs, including developmental delay and autism.

Is Thriving Kids replacing the NDIS for autistic children?

Not universally. From 1 January 2028, NDIS access arrangements are planned to change for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs. Children with permanent and significant disability and children with high support needs will continue to have an NDIS pathway subject to eligibility requirements.

Does my child need an autism diagnosis?

No. The Government’s October 2026 family guidance states that a diagnosis is not required to access Thriving Kids support.

Will my child’s NDIS plan stop now?

No. The Government states that there are no changes to NDIS access until 1 January 2028.

What happens if my child is already on the NDIS before 2028?

Children aged 8 and under accessing the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to be reassessed under the eligibility criteria that applied before that date. Current Government guidance also explains how reassessment will change when children turn nine.

What support does Thriving Kids provide?

The national model includes developmental information, health and development checks, trusted advice, parenting and peer programs, facilitated playgroups and specialised professional assistance. Services will expand progressively.

Is Thriving Kids available in Sydney?

Thriving Kids is a national initiative and the rollout has begun. However, individual services are being progressively developed by the Australian Government and states and territories, so availability can vary by location.

What is the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline number?

The newly launched Thriving Kids Autism Helpline is 1300 654 789. It provides autism-specific information and guidance for families of children aged 0–8 who may be on the pathway to diagnosis or already have a diagnosis. 

Final Thoughts: What Families Should Remember

The launch of Thriving Kids is a major change, but the most important thing is to separate what has happened now from what happens later.

1 October 2026

Thriving Kids began rolling out.

Now

Families can access new information, developmental guidance and services including the new Autism Helpline and national child-development phone service.

2026–2027

More Thriving Kids supports will progressively become available.

1 January 2028

Full rollout is planned and the announced changes to NDIS access for relevant children begin. HealthGov Australia

So if your child currently has an NDIS plan, don’t assume anything has suddenly been taken away because Thriving Kids has launched.

Continue following your child’s current plan and keep informed as the transition progresses.

And if you’re concerned about your child’s development but don’t yet have a diagnosis, Thriving Kids is designed to provide earlier places to start looking for information and support.

Contact Us

Book a free consultation and get your support today!

Phone: 1300 798 162  | 0450 242 645

Email: enquirie@sydneycaresupport.com.au

Related Blogs:

• NDIS Funding Periods Explained
• NDIS Support Worker Travel & Transport Costs
• NDIS Reform 2026–2030
• NDIS Plan Renewals Are Changing in 2027
• NDIS Plan Reassessment Changes 2026
• NDIS Social & Community Participation Funding Changes 2026
• NDIS Support at Home
• NDIS Personal Care Services
• NDIS Community Participation
• NDIS Domestic Assistance in Sydney
• NDIS Transport Assistance in Sydney
• Social & Community Participation Sydney

Official Sources to Link in the Blog

Australian Government – About Thriving Kids

Australian Government – Thriving Kids Supports Being Rolled Out

NDIS – First Phase of Thriving Kids Supports Starts

Australian Government – Thriving Kids Family Resources

Related Services By Sydney Care Support:

NDIS Services ➜

Care at Home Services ➜

Daily Living & Life Skills ➜

Community Participation ➜

Support at Home Calculator➜