At Butter Fish Services, we have always believed that the right support at the right time can change a child’s trajectory. As we look toward the future of paediatric care in Australia, the newly-announced Thriving Kids initiative represents a significant shift in how young people with autism, ADHD, and developmental needs are supported.
This $4bn programme is ostensibly designed to bridge the gap for children with “low to moderate” developmental needs, who may not require long-term NDIS funding but still deserve expert, evidence-based intervention. By embedding allied health and behaviour support directly into the places children live, learn, and play – such as schools, GPs, and community hubs – the purported aim of the Thriving Kids initiative is to support children with these needs through early recognition and proactive growth. However, multiple commentators have suggested that the scheme places an undue burden onto parents.
When will Thriving Kids start?
The programme will begin its rollout on a state-by-state basis by 1st October 2026, with changes to NDIS access arrangements arriving later on 1st January 2028.
Who will Thriving Kids support?
- Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism, who have significantly reduced functional capacity (high support needs), will continue to be supported under the NDIS.
- Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism, who have “low to moderate” support needs will instead be supported under the Thriving Kids programme. As part of this transition, children in this support needs category who enrol in the NDIS prior to 1st January 2028, will be re-assessed to determine which programme they will be supported under.
How can I prepare for Thriving Kids?
- Maintain current support: If your child has an existing NDIS plan, their services and funding will continue as usual. No child will be removed from the NDIS before the alternative services are fully established.
- Keep documentation current: Maintain up-to-date reports, therapy notes, and documents from functional assessments. These records will be vital if your child needs to transition between systems or undergo a reassessment for NDIS.
- Communicate: Talk to behaviour support providers such as Butter Fish Services, as well as your main touchpoints for Thriving Kids (your GPs, child health nurses, early childhood educators).
- Focus on everyday environments: Prepare for therapy to happen where your child naturally spends time, such as schools, community hubs, and your home, as opposed to private clinics.
- Build your advocacy skills: Thriving Kids includes a focus on parental capacity-building. Use available online courses as they are released, alongside peer support groups, to strengthen your ability to advocate for your child’s needs under the new system.
No matter the programme, Butter Fish Services will continue to support children and families through this transition, and will provide further updates from national and state governments as they are made available.
If you have questions as to how this change could impact your child’s support, get in touch with us via our online contact form. If you would instead like to refer your child for support ahead of the rollout of Thriving Kids, please complete the Butter Fish Services referral form.