Release of the Thriving Kids model
Feb 4, 2026
The Thriving Kids initiative will be rolled out from October 2026, with full implementation by January 2028.
The Australian Government has released the design for Thriving Kids, a national support model for young children under 9 years old with developmental delays and autism, that will operate outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Proposed Thriving Kids model
As part of their final report, the Thriving Kids Advisory Group today have developed the national model for how the Thriving Kids initiative will work.
The national model explains the proposed pathway for children 8 -years-old and younger with developmental delay and/or autism with low-moderate support needs to access supports through the Thriving Kids initiative, outside of the NDIS.
The model has three key stages.
Identification
The first stage focuses on identifying developmental delay or support needs, which may be recognised by family members, educators or health professionals.
Connecting children and families to appropriate supports
Entry points to Thriving Kids will include online directories to help families locate services and health professionals aligned with the model, as well as resources designed to build the capability of educators and medical practitioners working with children.
Delivery of supports
The third stage relates to the delivery of supports, which are grouped into four categories based on levels of need:
- Low support needs: may access services that strengthen parent-led approaches, including online parenting programs focused on child development and neurodiversity, community-based group activities, peer support networks and a potential national parenting advice phone line.
- Moderate support needs may receive more targeted assistance from allied health professionals and early childhood workers. These supports may be delivered through community hubs, in the home or within educational settings, and may include speech pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
- Low to moderate support needs may access a combination of both low and moderate-level supports.
- Children with significant and permanent disability, including developmental delay or autism, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS. Children already on the scheme prior to 2028 will remain participants, subject to standard reassessment arrangements.
This model will go through stages of consultation with people with disability and the wider community on the model as part of the process of implementing Thriving Kids.
You can read in more detail about the key elements of the model in the full report, from page 11.
What's next?
The Thriving Kids initiative will be rolled out from October 2026, with full implementation by January 2028.
Engagement with parents, families, the disability community and relevant sectors will continue over the coming months as governments plan for implementation.
Our position
Yooralla has provided Allied Health and Inclusion Support services at home, in the community, at childcare, kindergarten, school for many years – recognising the importance of early intervention services for children with disability. We welcome the Thriving Kids initiative to ensure that children get the right support, where and when they need it.
As a merged organisation of Berry Street Yooralla, we also welcome the Advisory Group’s acknowledgement that children with developmental delay and disability, particularly First Nations children, are disproportionately represented in out-of-home care.
We support the recommendation that Thriving Kids must meaningfully respond to the needs of children and families involved in the out-of-home care system and be well integrated with child protection and education systems.
Berry Street Yooralla looks forward to working with the Government and the disability community to support a smooth transition and the successful rollout of the Thriving Kids initiative.
Seeking NDIS support?
Whether you’re seeking support with your NDIS plan, or looking to sign up for new supports, you can speak to our Yooralla Connect team about any questions you may have.