In 2025, the Australian Government announced Thriving Kids, a new national foundational supports program designed to reshape how young children with developmental delay or disability and less complex support needs, including many children on the autism spectrum, access early support in Australia.
The Government’s recent release of the Thriving Kids and Foundational Supports Model marks an important step in bringing this program to life.
Thriving Kids focuses on earlier identification of developmental differences for children aged eight and under. Supports will be delivered through community settings such as health services, early childhood education and schools, making it easier for families to access help without needing to wait for a formal autism diagnosis.
Aspect acknowledges the intent of the Thriving Kids model and the opportunity it presents to improve early access to support through community-based pathways. This approach reflects Aspect’s vision of helping children and families access the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
What do we know so far?
The Government’s foundational supports model confirms that Thriving Kids will:
- Focus on earlier identification of developmental differences in children aged eight years and under.
- Deliver supports through everyday community settings such as health, early childhood education, schools and allied health.
- Operate alongside the NDIS, with children with more complex needs continuing to access individualised NDIS funding.
These directions reflect long-standing calls from families and service providers for simpler access to early, evidence-informed supports embedded in the environments where children live, learn and play.
What will make Thriving Kids succeed?
For the Thriving Kids model to succeed, Aspect has consistently highlighted that its success will depend on how the principles are implemented in practice.
Key factors include:
- Genuine partnership and co-design with Autistic people, families and experienced service providers.
- A capable and well-supported workforce across community and mainstream services.
- Strong coordination between Thriving Kids and the NDIS so children do not fall through gaps between systems.
- Clear program design, delivery mechanisms and accountability arrangements.
- Sustained Commonwealth and state funding to ensure consistent access across metro, regional and remote communities.
Getting these foundations right will be essential to delivering practical, evidence-informed and family-centred outcomes.
What funds are involved?
The Commonwealth has committed $2 billion over five years, with the program expected to commence from October 2026, alongside co-funding from states and territories for a full rollout in 2028.
Aspect continues to advocate for sustained, joint funding to ensure services are accessible, high quality and consistent nationwide, particularly in regional and remote areas, and to avoid cost-shifting onto families.
Transition and family impact
Aspect recognises that system change can create uncertainty for families, and many parents and carers may be feeling nervous about how new arrangements will work in practice.
Clear communication, continuity of support and careful transition planning will be essential to maintain confidence and avoid disruption for children and families as Thriving Kids is rolled out.
No child should lose access to support while new services are still scaling up.
Aspect will continue working closely with state and federal governments to help shape Thriving Kids into a program that delivers on its promise to provide earlier, simpler and more equitable access to supports for children with developmental differences.
We remain committed to:
- Advocating for strong system coordination.
- Supporting families with clear, practical information.
- Ensuring the voices of Autistic people and families remain central to program design.
- Promoting evidence-informed, strengths-based approaches to early support.
As further details are released, Aspect will continue sharing updates and guidance to help families understand what Thriving Kids means in practice.
