Change, especially in the disability support sector, can feel overwhelming at the best of times. With new initiatives like Thriving Kids on the horizon, it’s natural for parents and carers to wonder what these changes will mean for their child’s supports, therapies, and current NDIS plans. To help address some of these questions, we’ve taken the time to explore what Thriving Kids is all about. In this article, we’ll explain what the initiative is, why it’s being introduced, how it compares to the NDIS, and what Meta Healthcare is doing to ensure the families we support remain fully cared for during the transition.
Note: This article relates to the Thriving Kids program announced by Mark Butler, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, on Wednesday, 20 August 2025. As this initiative is still in development, some details have yet to be confirmed at both the national and state levels. The information in this article is current as of the date of publication.
What is the Thriving Kids Program?
Thriving Kids is a new national program that recognises that many children with developmental delays or emerging disabilities do not necessarily require NDIS support. In fact, with appropriate help at the right time, many concerns can be addressed early, potentially preventing long-term disabilities. Instead of replacing the NDIS, the Thriving Kids initiative aims to improve local and mainstream services (e.g., child health services, early education centres, and community programs), making it easier for families to access the right supports sooner rather than later.
According to government updates, the program will:
- Focus on children aged 0-8 years with developmental delays, emerging disabilities, or mild-to-moderate difficulties.
- Establish local support networks, including GPs, early childhood educators, allied health professionals, and community hubs, to make support accessible through familiar community settings.
- Begin rollout from July 2026, with complete implementation expected by mid-2027.
Why is the Shift Happening?
Launched in 2013, the NDIS was originally created to assist Australians with permanent and significant disabilities. Initially, the expected number of participants was between 410,000 and 475,000. Since then, the scheme has expanded significantly, and by March 2025, the number of active participants had risen to 717,000.
This rapid growth has put pressure on the scheme, resulting in longer wait times and greater difficulties in providing effective early intervention services. In response, the Australian Government has created the Thriving Kids initiative to help rebalance access to support. By focusing on early mild-to-moderate developmental needs through Thriving Kids, the NDIS can shift its attention back to children with complex, lifelong disabilities, making sure no child misses out on timely assistance.
How Will NDIS and Thriving Kids Work Together?
The table below shows that the two schemes will work together, not against each other. The NDIS will keep supporting children with severe, ongoing disabilities, while Thriving Kids will make sure that children with developing needs get early help before they fall behind.
| Feature | NDIS | Thriving Kids |
|---|---|---|
|
Purpose |
Lifelong personalised funding for people with significant and permanent disabilities. |
Early community-led supports for children with developmental delays or emerging needs. |
|
Age Focus |
All ages welcome. |
Children aged 0 to 8 years. |
|
Eligibility |
Requires evidence of permanent functional impact. |
Based on developmental needs (which may not be permanent). |
|
Funding Type |
Individual plan with a set budget. |
Public funding for local and community support programs (not individual plans). |
|
Access Pathway |
Requires a formal application, assessments, and proof of disability. |
Streamlined access through local services (GPs, schools, early learning centres). |
|
Support Delivery |
Funded through registered NDIS providers like Meta Healthcare. |
Delivered through community, health, and education systems, possibly still involving registered providers. |
|
Goal |
Long-term functional gains and independence. |
Early detection, family education, and preparation for school and community participation. |
|
Timeline |
Established and ongoing nationwide. |
Set to start in July 2026 and be fully implemented by mid-2027. |
What Does This Mean for Families Right Now?
Currently, no action is required from families. Any child with an existing NDIS plan won’t see immediate changes to their supports or funding until after Thriving Kids is launched.
In the meantime, here’s what to expect:
- Current NDIS participants can continue as usual, with no changes to their therapy sessions, funding, or reviews, alongside the introduction of Thriving Kids.
- Upcoming reviews will still be conducted under the existing NDIS guidelines.
- Future participants requiring early intervention support before 2026 will continue to access it through the current NDIS pathway. After this period, children with emerging needs or mild-to-moderate disabilities will be supported via Thriving Kids.
- Children with lower support needs may need to transition from NDIS to Thriving Kids services eventually, depending on their individual requirements and the level of support required.
It’s important to note that the government has assured that no child will lose support during this transition. Services will remain available, and families will be guided to the most appropriate pathway as needed.
How is Meta Healthcare Supporting Families?
At Meta Healthcare, we believe the Thriving Kids initiative will be a positive move towards a more inclusive and responsive support system, reflecting our team’s values of care, collaboration, and empowerment. As such, we are preparing for its implementation in several ways:
- Clear Communication: We will keep our families informed about updates, eligibility changes, and government timelines.
- Continuity of Care: No matter the funding model, our commitment to providing evidence-based, family-centred therapy remains strong.
- Community Relations: We’re actively building partnerships with local early learning services, schools, and paediatric healthcare networks to ensure smooth transitions.
- Tailored Guidance: Our clinicians will assist families in identifying which pathway (NDIS or Thriving Kids) best aligns with their child’s goals.
- Advocacy: We will continue to advocate for policies that safeguard the quality, accessibility, and consistency of therapy supports.
Have Any Questions?
If you’d like to discuss what these changes might mean for your child or upcoming plan reviews, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team. We’re always happy to assist!
Meta Healthcare is a leading NDIS provider in Sydney, dedicated to empowering participants through personalised care and expert guidance. Our compassionate team focuses on creating meaningful opportunities, fostering independence, and supporting brighter futures for individuals and their families. With over 60 years of combined experience, we offer a range of services, including support work, allied health, support coordination, and respite care, all tailored to meet each participant’s unique goals and needs. At Meta Healthcare, we prioritise transparent communication, inclusivity, and a goal-oriented approach to help you thrive in your journey with the NDIS.
