Thriving Kids Program: What Parents of Children with Autism Need to Know

Change can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to the supports your child relies on. In September 2025, the Federal Government announced a new initiative called the Thriving Kids  program, which is set to change how early intervention supports for children with developmental delay and autism are funded in the future. 

Since then, the federal government reached a landmark agreement with state and territory governments, committing a combined $4 billion over five years to get the program off the ground by January 2028. 

At the Lizard Centre, we know parents may have questions and concerns about what this means for their family. While the full details are still being finalised, we’ve pulled together answers to the most common questions to help you feel informed and supported. 

What is the Thriving Kids program?

In September 2025, The Federal Government has announced that they will introduce a thriving Kids program to provide early supports for children with developmental delay and autism. It is designed to give children aged 8 and under the right help at the right time, sometimes through schools, community health services or via existing providers. The key difference to the current arrangement is that the funding for supports for these children will not be through the NDIS, but instead through Medicare or other government programs.

Since the program was announced, the funding commitment has grown. The Australian Government is contributing $2 billion over five years, with state and territory governments jointly funding the remainder, bringing the total commitment to $4 billion for the first phase of Thriving Kids. 

In terms of timing, here is what has been confirmed:  

• 1 October 2026: Thriving Kids services begin rolling out across states and territories 

• 1 January 2028: full roll out expected to be complete. 

The NDIS and Thriving Kids will run alongside each other during this transition period, so no child should lose access to support before the new system is ready. 

What services and supportswill be available?

Thriving Kids is expected to offer two broad levels of support, though the specific services available will vary by state and territory as each government finalises its own approach. 

Generally, families can expect: 

• General supports: Information, advice, parenting guidance and help navigating local services for families who have concerns about their child’s development. 

• Targeted supports: Time-limited, goal-focused help for children who need a bit more. This may include allied health therapies such as behaviour, speech and occupational therapy delivered individually or in small group sessions, early intervention playgroups, parent and carer education, support planning, and help coordinating services. 

NSW is the first state to release detailed program information and has already begun the process of selecting providers, with services set to start from October 2026. Other states and territories are working through their own plans and are expected to follow a similar approach in the coming months. 

Will my child lose their NDIS plan?

Not necessarily. Children with significant and permanent disability will continue to receive funding through the NDIS. Children with mild to moderate autism or development delay may in the future be supported through the new Thriving Kids program instead of thew NDIS. 

It is worth noting that changes to NDIS access arrangements will require updates to the NDIS Act. The government has said it will continue to work with the disability sector and families as those changes are designed. 

Do these changes affect us now?

No. Your child’s current NDIS plan and supports remain in place until the Government finalises the details, which will be phased in over time.

How will therapy be funded if not through the NDIS?

The Government has said that some supports may be: 

• Funded through Medicare with a GP referral 

• Delivered through schools or early learning centres 

• Provided by state health services 

Will the amount of therapy available change?

It’s too early to know. The Government has not confirmed how many sessions will be funded, what the rates will be, or which services will be included

Will I have to pay out of pocket?

We don’t yet know as the Government has yet to release this level of detail, but this is a possibility as there may be a difference between NDIS and Medicare rates. Advocacy groups are actively pushing for all Thriving Kids services to be free for families, with no co-payments and no caps. Whether that will be the outcome is still to be confirmed.

Has there been any community input into how the program is designed?

Yes. In late 2025, a parliamentary committee held a public inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative and received over 400 submissions from families, providers and advocacy groups. In December 2025, the committee published its report, called No Child Left Behind, which called for genuine co-design, strong safeguards, and a careful, staged rollout so no child loses access to support. On 3 February 2026, the Government released further detail on the program design in response. Advocacy groups continue to push for more transparency. 

What does this mean for my child’s therapy with the Lizard Centre?

Our commitment to supporting your child doesn’t change. We are preparing to work across the NDIS and the new Thriving Kids system as best we can with the information currently available, so you can stay with the therapists you know and trust. 

How will you support families through the change?

• We’ll keep you informed with the latest information as we receive it 

• We’ll help you understand the funding options for your child 

• We’ll stay across the changes and share with you how we intend to adapt our services to fit both the NDIS and Thriving Kids systems 

Who can I speak to if I am worried?

You can always contact us on 1800 681 973 to talk about your child’s situation. We’re here to guide you through any changes and make sure your child continues to receive the support they need. 

For more information, visit the Government’s Thriving Kids page.