The Australian Government has recently announced a new national foundational supports program for children aged eight and under with developmental delay or disability and less complex support needs, including many children on the autism spectrum. Thriving Kids is intended to make it easier for families to access early, evidence-based supports in their communities - without needing to wait for diagnosis or navigate a complex funding system before they can access support.
Aspect supports the intent of Thriving Kids. We see it as an opportunity to rebuild a fairer early-childhood ecosystem where families can get the right supports early, in everyday settings, and in ways that work for them - regardless of who they are, where they live, or their financial circumstances.
At the same time, we have been clear in our response to the announcement that Thriving Kids will only succeed if several critical design and implementation factors are addressed. These factors include co-production with Autistic people, their families and experienced service providers, addressing workforce capability, equitable access, and co-ordination across funding systems.
What do we know about Thriving Kids so far?
From Government announcements and the Parliamentary inquiry terms of reference, Thriving Kids will:
- focus on earlier identification of developmental concerns.
- deliver supports through mainstream and community settings already connected to families (child and maternal health, allied health, early childhood education and care, schools, general practice)
- provide a national system of supports for children with less complex needs, while children with higher support needs continue to access individualised supports through the NDIS.
Based on Aspect’s 30+ years of providing early years supports for children on the autism spectrum, we see these elements as critical to making Thriving Kids work well:
- supports need to be timely and have one easy entry point.
- they must be delivered in natural/everyday environments (where children live, learn and play) where skills generalise into real life.
- a keyworker / transdisciplinary model should be considered so families are not managing multiple disconnected services.
- diagnostic and post-diagnostic supports must be included, using strengths-based information for children and families.
- supports must be neurodiversity-affirming and culturally safe.
What will the budget be?
The Commonwealth has committed $2 billion over five years, with a start date of 1 July 2026.
Government statements also indicate the program is intended to be co-funded with states and territories, because many of the services Thriving Kids will include sit within state systems (health, early childhood, education).
Aspect’s position is that Thriving Kids must be fully and jointly funded to avoid service gaps or cost-shifting to families.
What is the timeline and what is the deadline?
Key dates in the public process:
- Parliamentary Inquiry launched: 2 Sept 2025
- Submissions closed: 3 Oct 2025 (Aspect submitted a formal response)
- Public hearings: underway (Aspect provided evidence through our CEO, Jacqui Borland and Dr Vicki Gibbs, head of Research, ARCAP)
- Program commencement: 1 July 2026, with staged rollout after that.
Aspect has emphasised that a careful transition period is essential, so no child loses support while new services are still scaling up.
What was the motive behind Thriving Kids?
Aspect’s evidence is clear about the “why”:
- Families need earlier, simpler pathways to support.
Thriving Kids responds to the gap that has grown over time as many block-funded community early-childhood supports reduced, leaving families reliant on a more complex, individualised system to access help.
- Support should not depend on diagnosis.
Our position in that we favour early screening, and first step supports without requiring a formal diagnosis, because delays impact a child’s development and places extra stress on families.
- Mainstream systems need to be resourced and capable.
Thriving Kids is designed to strengthen mainstream and community services as the first line of help, rather than forcing families into specialist pathways for mild–moderate needs.
Will Thriving Kids create out-of-pocket costs for families?
Aspect’s position is that families should not be worse off - financially or in access.
We support Thriving Kids if it delivers supports that families can access regardless of income, with low administrative burden and clear, local pathways.
We are advocating that the program include:
- genuinely accessible services in regional/remote markets
- clear eligibility and escalation pathways so children do not sit in a “grey zone.”
- provider oversight and quality safeguards
- sustained workforce investment so families are not pushed into private-pay options due to lack of supply.
Because detailed operational rules are still being designed, we are being vigilant to prevent any unintentional cost-shifting onto families.
Is Thriving Kids connected to increased diagnoses?
Thriving Kids is linked to stronger early identification, but it is not about “too many diagnoses.”
Aspect’s view is strengths-based: more children being recognised as Autistic or having developmental differences reflects better awareness and screening - which is good for timely support and inclusion. The real policy issue is that families should not have to wait for diagnosis before support starts. Thriving Kids is a chance to fix that by funding early screening and functional supports from the first signs.
Is Aspect working with Government on Thriving Kids?
Yes - actively and constructively.
Aspect has engaged through:
- a formal written submission to the Standing Committee inquiry
- public hearing evidence, where Jacqui Borland and Dr Vicki Gibbs outlined the critical success factors for Thriving Kids: workforce capability, cross-system coordination, consistent needs assessment, equity across pathways, rural/remote access models, and co-design with Autistic people and families.
- direct discussions with the Committee Chair, Dr Mike Freelander MP, to provide practical implementation insights and solutions.
Aspect is well placed to support Government because we have delivered foundational supports for decades, including national programs like Positive Partnerships, and specialist early-childhood models in metro and regional communities.
How Aspect will support parents and carers?
Families are understandably anxious about any system change. Our commitment is to lead with clarity and practical help.
In practice, we will:
- Communicate what is known and what is not.
- Provide strengths-based guidance about early development and Autistic support needs.
- Help families navigate pathways early.
- Stay visible in advocacy.
