16/01/2026
The announcement of the Thriving Kids Initiative has been received with mixed feelings by many in the sector. While there is broad agreement that many kids with developmental delays and disabilities experience difficulty getting the support that they need, there was a general fear as well that the established avenues for accessing support would be stripped away before a good system was set up to support them in the community. Current funding models are fragmented and inequitable, leaving families to navigate long waitlists and prohibitive costs, while psychologists remain constrained by systemic barriers.
AAPi played an active role in the inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative, providing evidence both in writing and through in-person testimony. Our contributions were cited at multiple points throughout the report, which was released shortly before Christmas, including:
• We highlighted systemic gaps in access to psychological services and the urgent need for reform.
• We proposed utilising provisional psychologists in rural and remote placements, supported by trained supervisors and paid work opportunities, to address workforce shortages and improve retention in underserved areas.
• We also stressed the importance of targeted training and incentives, expanded Medicare rebates that reflect the true cost of assessments, and removing unnecessary referral and diagnostic barriers to current assessment items.
Our recommendations emphasised embedding culturally safe, neurodiversity-affirming practices and ensuring seamless transitions across health, education, and disability systems.
Read our full update for a summary of the report, along with a link to the report’s recommendations: https://ow.ly/hoUn50XXJ0k
