If your child receives NDIS support, or you’re thinking about applying, you may be wondering what Thriving Kids means for your family. This guide looks at Thriving Kids in Queensland, how it differs from the NDIS and what you can do while local details are being confirmed.

 

You might already be juggling therapy appointments, school meetings and reports. The last thing you need is another announcement that leaves you wondering, “Is my child about to lose support?”

 

The rollout does not automatically cancel your child’s NDIS plan. There are no changes to how children access the NDIS before 1 January 2028. Thriving Kids is scheduled to begin its national rollout from October 2026, but the support will grow over time and Queensland’s local start and access arrangements are not yet confirmed.

 

Let’s work through what’s confirmed, what we’re still waiting to hear and what you can do now. You don’t have to figure it all out today.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thriving Kids is the first phase of Foundational Supports outside the NDIS.
• It is intended for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, as well as their families.
• Children will not need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids support.
• The national rollout is scheduled from October 2026 and is expected to be fully rolled out by 1 January 2028.
• There are no changes to NDIS access before 1 January 2028.
• Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with high support needs, may continue to be eligible for the NDIS under the usual criteria.
• Queensland’s local start, service locations and referral pathways are not yet confirmed.
• Families can keep using current plans, attending appointments and documenting their child’s needs while further information is released.

 

What Is Thriving Kids?

 

Thriving Kids is a new national program designed to help younger children who need extra support with their development. It is the first phase of Foundational Supports. These are services outside the NDIS intended to make developmental information, early support and community-based help easier to access.

 

According to the Australian Government, Thriving Kids will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, along with their families, carers and kin.

 

Here’s the kind of support the program is designed to offer:

• information about child development, developmental delay and autism
• help identifying when a child may need additional support
• information and advice for families
• help connecting families with suitable services
• family programs that support a child’s development
• targeted support, including allied health, capacity building and some low-cost assistive technology
• development checks and support in places where children live, learn and play

 

The government says these supports should be child- and family-centred, strengths-based, neuroaffirming, evidence-based, culturally appropriate and flexible.

 

What Is the Difference Between Thriving Kids and the NDIS?

 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds disability-related support for eligible people. Access depends on individual circumstances and the relevant disability or early intervention requirements, not simply a diagnosis.

 

Thriving Kids is intended to sit outside the NDIS. It is designed for younger children with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs who may benefit from earlier, more accessible support.

 

That doesn’t mean every child receiving NDIS support will move to Thriving Kids.

 

The government’s NDIS changes guidance distinguishes existing participants from new applicants. Children aged 8 and under who join before the access changes begin will continue to be reassessed under the earlier eligibility rules. Once they turn 9, reassessment uses the new functional-capacity criteria once these are in effect. This is not a guarantee of unchanged eligibility or funding. New applicants in this age group with low to moderate support needs are intended to use Thriving Kids once the new access rules begin.

 

Is My Child About to Lose Their NDIS Plan?

 

Thriving Kids does not automatically cancel an existing NDIS plan. But that’s not the same as saying nothing about the NDIS is changing.

 

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing states that there are no changes to how people access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.

 

Children already participating in the NDIS can keep using approved supports in line with their plan and the rules that apply. Existing plans may still be reviewed or reassessed through the usual NDIS processes, but the start of Thriving Kids in October 2026 does not automatically cancel a child’s plan.

 

If you receive a letter or request for information from the NDIA, check what it asks you to do and get advice about your child’s situation if anything is unclear. A social media headline won’t tell you what a decision means for your family.

 

When Does Thriving Kids Start in Queensland?

 

Thriving Kids is scheduled to begin its national rollout from October 2026. Supports are expected to grow over time and be fully rolled out by 1 January 2028.

 

Queensland’s implementation plan was still outstanding in the latest federal minister’s update reviewed for this article. We have not found a later official confirmation of a local start or referral pathway. The national timetable should not be read as a confirmed opening date for Queensland services.

 

In other words, “the program starts in October” doesn’t mean every service will be ready in every suburb from day one.

 

Families should look for updates from the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and the NDIS rather than relying on unofficial summaries.

 

Will My Child Need a Diagnosis to Access Thriving Kids?

 

The Australian Government says children will not need a diagnosis to receive support through Thriving Kids.

 

That could be helpful if you’ve noticed developmental differences but are still waiting for an assessment, or simply aren’t sure where to start.

 

For example, a parent may notice that their four-year-old finds moving from one activity to the next very difficult, uses fewer words than expected and becomes overwhelmed in group settings. It can be hard to know whether to start with speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, a developmental assessment or a family support program.

 

Thriving Kids is intended to help families understand developmental concerns and find support without needing to work out the diagnosis themselves.

 

That doesn’t mean an assessment is no longer useful. Assessment may still help clarify a child’s strengths, needs and appropriate support. It simply means a diagnosis is not intended to be the doorway into every Thriving Kids service.

 

What Support Could Thriving Kids Provide?

 

The final mix will vary between national, state and local services, but government information describes support such as:

 

• child development information
• developmental checks
• family education and coaching
• help finding the right service
• programs delivered in homes, communities and other everyday settings
• targeted allied-health support
• low-cost assistive technology
• capacity-building support for families and people who regularly work with children

 

For a family, the useful part is practical help with everyday life, not another list of service names to work through alone.

 

That might mean help with getting dressed, joining in at kindy, communicating needs, handling a change of plan or moving confidently around the playground.

 

Until Queensland publishes the local service model, examples like these should be treated as the intended direction, not a promise about a particular service or funding package.

Which Queensland locations will offer Thriving Kids?

 

We have not found a confirmed Queensland service directory in the official updates checked for this guide. The national state and territory page does not yet link to a Queensland service pathway. For parents, that still leaves the big question: where can we actually go? Before arranging support, check the provider’s location, age range and whether it is delivering an approved Thriving Kids service. A clinic offering children’s therapy is not automatically a Thriving Kids provider. Ask about availability and any costs before booking, rather than assuming the national rollout means a local place is ready.

 

How will families access Thriving Kids in Queensland?

 

A Queensland-specific contact and referral pathway has not been confirmed in the sources checked for this guide. The national plan includes help for families to find suitable support, but that is not the same as an open local referral service. 

 

If your child needs help now, your GP or existing therapist can discuss the options currently available. Bring a few examples, such as difficulty following instructions at kindy or becoming overwhelmed during the school run. When local pathways are published, check who can refer and what information families need to provide. Avoid sending sensitive reports to an unofficial website or an unverified contact.

Will parents be able to self-refer to Thriving Kids?

 

We cannot yet confirm whether Queensland families will be able to self-refer to every type of Thriving Kids support. Not needing a diagnosis does not necessarily mean there will be no referral or intake process. 

 

Some families may only need information, while others may need a conversation about more targeted support. Before applying, ask whether you can contact the service directly or need a referral from a professional. Also ask what information is needed so you don’t spend time gathering paperwork you don’t need. You can still raise developmental concerns with your GP while those local arrangements are being clarified.

 

How much Thriving Kids support will my child receive?

 

We can’t yet tell you how many therapy sessions your child might receive through Thriving Kids in Queensland. The national model describes different types of support, rather than one identical package for every family. 

 

A child finding group play difficult may need something different from a child who needs help communicating basic needs. Ask how the service will understand your child’s needs, agree on goals and review progress. It’s also worth asking what happens when a program ends or the suggested support isn’t enough. Do not assume Thriving Kids will match the hours, budget or provider choices in an existing NDIS plan.

 

Will children already on the NDIS move to Thriving Kids?

 

There is no automatic transfer of every child from the NDIS to Thriving Kids. The government’s NDIS changes guidance treats existing young participants differently from new applicants once the access changes begin. The earlier eligibility rules continue to apply to reassessments of children aged eight and under who entered before those changes. From age nine, the new functional-capacity rules apply when they are in effect. This is not a promise of lifelong eligibility or an unchanged plan budget. If the NDIA contacts you, ask what the notice means for your child and what you need to do next.

 

Will I need to repeat my child’s story to every service?

 

Queensland’s detailed information-sharing arrangements are not yet clear from the official sources checked. For now, keep a short summary of your child’s strengths, daily challenges and current supports alongside relevant reports. 

 

Think of it as a helpful introduction, not a folder you have to perfect before asking for help. Ask each service what information it needs and how your consent to share it will be managed. Include your child’s preferences and views where possible, rather than recording only what adults find difficult. Clear, relevant information can help the next professional understand your family without starting every conversation from scratch.

 

How will regional and culturally diverse Queensland families get support?

 

Where you live, and the language you use at home should be part of the conversation about suitable support. The national model includes culturally appropriate services and options for support in person or online, but local availability still needs to be confirmed. 

 

A family outside a major Queensland centre may need to ask about travel, outreach and whether online support suits their child. Families who prefer another language can ask what interpreting and translated information will be available. First Nations families can also ask about culturally safe options and Aboriginal-led services as local arrangements develop. These are useful questions to raise, not services we can currently promise will be available in every community.

 

It’s completely understandable to want clear answers. While we’re waiting for the details, it’s important not to fill the gaps with guesses.

 

What Should Parents Do Now?

 

1. Keep using your child’s current supports

 

If your child has an active NDIS plan, continue using it according to the plan and current rules. You don’t need to cancel appointments or stop helpful support just because you’ve seen a headline about future changes.

 

2. Focus on function, not just labels

 

Write down what your child finds difficult in everyday life. Instead of only recording “sensory issues”, note that they cannot tolerate the school uniform, become distressed in noisy classrooms or avoid birthday parties.

 

Those everyday examples help your team understand what life is like for your child.

 

3. Gather information across settings

 

Ask educators and therapists what they notice. A child may appear settled at school and unravel at home, or cope at home but struggle in group environments. Both perspectives matter.

 

4. Keep useful reports together

 

Save current reports, school observations, care plans and progress summaries. You don’t need a mountain of paperwork. Keeping the useful information together can save you from explaining everything again.

 

5. Ask what each therapy goal supports

 

A useful goal connects to daily life: joining playground games, communicating discomfort, dressing independently or managing the trip into school.

 

6. Check official updates

 

Look for information from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the NDIS and Queensland Government. Details may change as the rollout takes shape.

 

7. Ask for help when the current need is affecting daily life

 

You do not need to wait until 2028 if your child is struggling now. Speak with your GP, paediatrician, educator or an appropriate allied-health professional.

 

How Can All About Kids Help While the System Changes?

 

At All About Kids, you don’t need to know which type of therapist to ask for before you get in touch.

A parent might say:

“My child falls apart after school.”

“They are not keeping up with classmates.”

“Getting dressed takes an hour.”

“The teacher says they do not follow instructions.”

“I know something is hard, but I do not know what to call it.”

 

Those everyday details are a really useful place to start.

 

Our multidisciplinary team includes counselling and psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and exercise physiology, and assessment services. We can talk through what you’re noticing, how it affects your child’s day and what a useful next step might be.

 

We cannot decide NDIS or Thriving Kids eligibility or promise a funding outcome. Our assessment and therapy services are separate from any future Thriving Kids provider arrangements. We can help explain your child’s needs and work with you, educators and referring professionals on practical next steps.

 

You Do Not Have to Work This Out Alone

 

There’s a lot to take in with Thriving Kids, but you don’t have to untangle the whole system today.

 

What is confirmed is that the national rollout is scheduled from October 2026, it is designed for younger children with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, and no diagnosis will be required for support.

 

It is also confirmed that NDIS access does not change before 1 January 2028. Access is only one part of the NDIS: other changes to plans, claims and administration have separate start dates.

 

Queensland’s local start and access arrangements remain unconfirmed. Check for an official local update before making plans.

 

For now, keep focusing on the child in front of you: what they can do, what they find difficult, what is affecting family life and what practical support would help next.

 

FAQs

Can my child still apply for the NDIS before 2028?

 

Current NDIS access arrangements continue until 1 January 2028. Eligibility is individual, so families should use official NDIS information or seek advice about their circumstances.

 

Will every child with autism move to Thriving Kids?

 

No. Thriving Kids is intended for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs. Children with permanent and significant disability, including some children with high support needs, may continue to meet NDIS access requirements.

 

Will Thriving Kids pay for private therapy? 

 

The exact Queensland service and funding arrangements have not all been published. Families should not assume Thriving Kids will operate like an individual NDIS plan.

 

Do I need to stop organising an assessment?

 

No. If an assessment is clinically appropriate, it may still help clarify your child’s strengths, needs and support pathway. The government has said a diagnosis will not be required to access Thriving Kids, but that does not make assessment unnecessary for every family.

 

Need support for your child?

Tell us what you’re noticing and how it affects your child’s day. You don’t need to have all the answers or choose the perfect service before getting in touch.

 

Submit a booking enquiry with All About Kids

 

- All About Kids Team