What is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is a national program delivered by the Australian Government and state and territory governments. It is intended to support children aged 8 and under who have developmental delay, are Autistic, and have low to moderate support needs. It also supports their families, carers and kin. The program is being rolled out gradually across Australia. The services available and how families access them will differ between states and territories.
Children do not need a formal diagnosis to access many Thriving Kids supports, making it easier for families to get the support they need early.
Support may include information and advice, family and parenting programs, playgroups, and help finding local services and health supports such as speech pathology or occupational therapy, when needed. Thriving Kids will work with existing health, early childhood, education, community and disability services, including the NDIS.
Who can get support?
- children aged 8 and under
- children with developmental delay
- children on the autism spectrum
- children with low to moderate support needs
- families, carers and kin.
What will the program offer?
- checks to help understand a child’s development
- information and advice online and by phone
- local support where children live, learn and play
- programs that help families build their knowledge and skills
- support without needing a diagnosis.
When is it being rolled out?
Thriving Kids started rolling out on 1 October 2026. Services are becoming available in stages, so what families can access will depend on where they live.
The full program is expected to be available by 1 January 2028.
What does the program aim to do?
- identify children’s developmental support needs earlier
- improve understanding of developmental differences
- help families feel informed and confident
- make support easier to access across Australia
- make it clearer how Thriving Kids and the NDIS work together.
