28/08/2025
On Wednesday, 20 August, the government announced 'Thriving Kids', a new $2bn investment into the futures of young Aussies, set to roll out from July 2026.
It’s designed for children under nine "with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism", aiming to give families earlier, more coordinated support outside the NDIS.
Disability and NDIS Minister, Mark Butler, said kids who are already on the NDIS, and those who enrol before the rollout, will stay on the scheme, and that there won't be any immediate impacts on families.
The government says the program aims to create a more integrated system, but its success will depend on design and implementation.
Reactions from the community have been mixed, with some saying it could strengthen early intervention, and others worry about how it will work in practice.