# What is Thriving Kids, and how will it change autism support from October 2026?

> Who Thriving Kids is for, what it offers, how it relates to the NDIS, and what families can do now.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/thriving-kids
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** Thriving Kids is a new Australian program, run with the states and territories, for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. Services start rolling out from 1 October 2026 and should be fully in place by 1 January 2028. No diagnosis is needed. Children with high support needs stay eligible for the NDIS.

**Key takeaways**
- Thriving Kids is for children **8 and under** with **developmental delay or autism** and **low to moderate support needs**.
- State services start from **1 October 2026**; full rollout by **1 January 2028**.
- **No diagnosis** is needed.
- Children with **high support needs** stay eligible for the **NDIS**.

## What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is the first part of "Foundational Supports": help for people with disability outside the NDIS. The Australian Government and the states and territories agreed to jointly contribute **$4 billion over 5 years**, with at least $1.4 billion of the Commonwealth's $2 billion going directly to the states for Thriving Kids services.[1]

## When does it start?

- **From 1 October 2026:** state and territory services begin rolling out.
- **By 1 January 2028:** Thriving Kids should be fully in place, ahead of changes to NDIS access for children from that date.[1]

The details differ by state and territory and are still being finalised.[2]

## What supports will it offer?

According to the government, supports will include:[3]

- Information about child development and where to get help
- Developmental checks to spot delays early
- Parenting programs, peer support and supported playgroups
- Targeted supports such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology

Many supports will be reached through everyday places like GPs, early childhood services and schools.

## How is it different from the NDIS?

The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports for people with **permanent and significant** disability. Thriving Kids is a separate system for younger children with **low to moderate** support needs. Children with high support needs, including autistic children, stay eligible for the NDIS under the usual rules.[1]

**Already on the NDIS?.** Children 8 and under with low to moderate needs who are on the NDIS will be assessed before 1 January 2028 and moved
  to Thriving Kids if appropriate. Your current plan stays in place until then.
  [3]

## What can families do now?

**Try:**
- Keep notes on your child's development and what helps
- Ask your GP or early childhood service about local supports
- Check your state or territory's Thriving Kids updates
- Keep using routines and visual supports at home

**Skip:**
- Waiting for a new program before getting help
- Stopping current NDIS supports early

**Start at home.** You don't need a program to begin. A [visual schedule](https://theautismkit.com/guides/visual-schedule-morning-routine) and a [first-then
  board](https://theautismkit.com/guides/first-then-boards) help many young children with routines and transitions.

**Talk to your GP if....** your child has lost skills, isn't responding to their name, or you're worried about their development. You don't need
  to wait for Thriving Kids to ask.

Free printable: [Free printable: appointment notes](https://theautismkit.com/printables/appointment-notes.pdf)

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] Write down what you've noticed about your child's development
- [ ] Ask your GP or early childhood educator about local supports
- [ ] Bookmark your state's Thriving Kids page

Read next: [Can my autistic child get NDIS funding?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/ndis-autism-funding)

## Common questions

### Does my child need a diagnosis for Thriving Kids?

No. The government says children won't need a diagnosis to get Thriving Kids supports.

### Will my child lose their NDIS plan?

Children 8 and under with low to moderate support needs who are on the NDIS will be assessed before 1 January 2028 and moved to Thriving Kids if appropriate. Details are still being worked out. Children with high support needs stay eligible for the NDIS.

### Does Thriving Kids cost anything?

The Australian Government and the states are funding it together. How individual supports are paid for is still being finalised, so check your state or territory's information.

## Sources

1. NDIS: Thriving Kids (5 February 2026). https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11085-thriving-kids
2. Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Thriving Kids. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids
3. Raising Children Network: Thriving Kids support, your questions answered. https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-services/support/thriving-kids-program-your-questions-answered

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.