Thriving Kids started on 1 October 2026. If you’ve noticed your young child needs a bit more help to talk, learn, move or play, and you’re not sure who to ask, this is a new place to start.
As at 5 October 2026. General information only, not legal, financial or medical advice. Rules can change, so check the official sources below.
In short
- Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
- Two national services opened on 1 October: the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline (1300 654 789) and the Thriving Kids Information and Resource Hub.
- Services will roll out gradually, with everything in place by 1 January 2028.
- NDIS access and eligibility won’t change until 1 January 2028.
What Thriving Kids is
Thriving Kids is for families of children who need some extra support to develop, learn and grow. It will offer practical support and connections, such as peer support, parenting groups, facilitated playgroups and family programs.
States and territories will also deliver more specialised help for children who need it, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, social workers, psychologists and low-cost assistive technology. These roll out over time and vary by state.
What started on 1 October
- The Thriving Kids Autism Helpline, 1300 654 789. Run by Amaze, it gives autism-specific information, guidance and connections to supports. It’s open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and you can reach it through the National Relay Service.
- The Thriving Kids Information and Resource Hub, run by the Raising Children Network, with practical information about children’s development.
Who it affects
Families with children aged 8 and under who might need extra developmental support. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS. If your child already has an NDIS plan, their NDIS access doesn’t change before 1 January 2028.
What you can do now
- If you have questions about autism, call the helpline on 1300 654 789.
- If you’re worried about your child’s development, talk to your GP or child health nurse. They know your child and can point you to the right next step.
- Check the Thriving Kids page for what’s rolling out in your state.
- If your child already has an NDIS plan, keep using it as usual. The 1 October budget changes still apply to every plan as it’s reassessed or renewed.
How Kinship can help
We understand how lonely it can feel to be the parent who has noticed something and doesn’t know who to ask. Kinship doesn’t deliver Thriving Kids services, so your GP or the helpline is the right first call.
Where we can help is the rest of your family’s NDIS picture. Kinship is a registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY), working in disability and aged care since 2017. If someone in your family has an NDIS plan, we provide daily living and community support and respite, with the same support worker every visit, across Sydney.
If you’d like us to help with this, call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through. Or send us a note through our get support page, whichever is easier for you.
Ask us: got a question about this change? Email info@kinshipunitingservices.com or call 0437 733 744, and we’ll answer it in plain English.
Common questions
Who is Thriving Kids for?
Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and their families.
Does Thriving Kids change NDIS eligibility for my child?
Not yet. The NDIA says there will be no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS.
Official sources
- NDIA: First phase of Thriving Kids supports start today (1 October 2026)
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Thriving Kids (updated 2 October 2026)
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Kinship Uniting Services, 39 Victory Road, Colebee NSW 2761
Registered NDIS provider 4-GWVHCEY