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Thriving Kids: Early support for your child
What is Thriving Kids?
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What is NDIS Support Coordination?
Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government initiative designed to support children aged birth to 8 years with developmental delay or autism through earlier, community-based supports in schools, communities, and at home.
The program focuses on providing practical help in everyday environments where children live and learn, including:
- Schools and early learning centres
- Community health services
- Allied health therapy: Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy
Supports are expected to focus on areas such as communication, social skills, emotional regulation and participation in learning, helping children build confidence and capability early.
Thriving Kids is expected to begin rolling out from October 2026 and will work alongside existing NDIS supports. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to access the NDIS, while Thriving Kids aims to support children with mild to moderate needs earlier and closer to where they learn. Schools play an important role in children’s development, and further information will be shared as the program is introduced.
Supports Wellbeing
Addresses physical, mental and emotional health.
Enhances Participation
Helps you take part in meaningful activities.
Improves Quality of Life
Empowers you to live life to the fullest.
How Thriving Kids: Early support for your child Can Help
Daily Living Skills
Getting support with routines at home and in the community.
Physical & Motor Skills
Improving movement, strength, balance and coordination.
Cognitive Skills
Supporting memory, planning, attention and organisation.
Emotional & Mental Health
Building confidence and managing emotions.
Work & School
Developing skills for learning, work and daily routines.
Find Thriving Kids: Early support for your child near you
Search the provider directory to find support that matches your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Thriving Kids supports children at school
Children benefit most when support is consistent across home, school, and community. Thriving Kids provides:
- Early identification of developmental needs
- Support for communication, social skills, and emotional regulation
- Strategies to improve participation and confidence in learning
- Guidance and collaboration for families and teachers
How it works with the NDIS
Thriving Kids is designed to complement the NDIS, ensuring children receive the right support at the right time.
- Children with permanent or significant disabilities remain supported through the NDIS.
- Children with mild to moderate needs can access early support through Thriving Kids.
- Existing NDIS plans will continue during the rollout.
Parent FAQ
Q1: What is the Thriving Kids program?
Thriving Kids is a new Australian Government initiative to support children with developmental delay or autism, especially in schools and early learning settings. It focuses on early, practical support in everyday environments.
Q2: Who can access it?
The program is for children aged birth to 8 years with mild to moderate developmental needs. Children with permanent or significant disabilities will continue to be supported through the NDIS.
Q3: How does it help children in school?
Thriving Kids provides guidance and support for communication, social skills, emotional wellbeing, and learning participation. It also equips teachers and families with strategies to help children succeed.
Q4: When will it start?
The program is expected to begin rolling out from October 2026, with a gradual national expansion.
Q5: How does it work with the NDIS?
Children needing intensive, long-term support continue on the NDIS. Thriving Kids provides early, community-based support for children who don’t yet require full NDIS plans.
Q6: What should parents do now?
Continue with existing supports, stay informed, communicate with your child’s school and therapists, and focus on your child’s goals and strengths.
Resources and links
How Karista can help
At Karista, we’re committed to helping families understand these changes and navigate their options with confidence. We’ll continue to share updates and practical guidance as more information becomes available.
Before the Thriving Kids program starts, Karista can help you with:
- Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP): we can connect you to Psychology services
- Allied health at home: Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy
- NDIS guidance: Helping families navigate Thriving Kids alongside NDIS plans
If you’d like support understanding how Thriving Kids may affect your child or school, our team is here to help.
When does Thriving Kids start?
The initial rollout of Thriving Kids is expected to begin on 1 October 2026 and will expand gradually across Australia. Children will continue to access the NDIS during this period, with those who have permanent and significant disabilities remaining eligible. As the program reaches full national scale by 1 January 2028, children with mild to moderate needs will be supported through Thriving Kids, complementing the NDIS rather than replacing it.
The Trust We've Earned
Tamara was truly amazing with helping me find the right support and spending the time to explain things to me in a way I can understand and follow. I was so confused before speaking with her. A massive shout out to you Tamara you have no idea how much you really help me out thank you so much
Samantha Muller
4 weeks ago, Google
Wonderful service! Stresses managed in a less than twenty minutes of POSITIVE WORDS PERSON LOVELY PERSONALITY made the DELIVERY OF THE ASSIST I'VE GOT TO DO for the rest of them to be enabled of Yipee THANK YOU SO VERY SERIOUSLY.
RECORDINGs4humans. defend by CHARTER.
1 month ago, Google
The help i got today was nothing but outstanding. Emily helped me with something I had been trying to do for months., without any help from who i contacted. She was so much help and support to me, so much appreciated.
Jenny
1 month ago, Google
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 months ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
2 months ago, Google
Tamara was truly amazing with helping me find the right support and spending the time to explain things to me in a way I can understand and follow. I was so confused before speaking with her. A massive shout out to you Tamara you have no idea how much you really help me out thank you so much
Samantha Muller
4 weeks ago, Google
Wonderful service! Stresses managed in a less than twenty minutes of POSITIVE WORDS PERSON LOVELY PERSONALITY made the DELIVERY OF THE ASSIST I'VE GOT TO DO for the rest of them to be enabled of Yipee THANK YOU SO VERY SERIOUSLY.
RECORDINGs4humans. defend by CHARTER.
1 month ago, Google
The help i got today was nothing but outstanding. Emily helped me with something I had been trying to do for months., without any help from who i contacted. She was so much help and support to me, so much appreciated.
Jenny
1 month ago, Google
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 months ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
2 months ago, Google
Tamara was truly amazing with helping me find the right support and spending the time to explain things to me in a way I can understand and follow. I was so confused before speaking with her. A massive shout out to you Tamara you have no idea how much you really help me out thank you so much
Samantha Muller
4 weeks ago, Google
Wonderful service! Stresses managed in a less than twenty minutes of POSITIVE WORDS PERSON LOVELY PERSONALITY made the DELIVERY OF THE ASSIST I'VE GOT TO DO for the rest of them to be enabled of Yipee THANK YOU SO VERY SERIOUSLY.
RECORDINGs4humans. defend by CHARTER.
1 month ago, Google
The help i got today was nothing but outstanding. Emily helped me with something I had been trying to do for months., without any help from who i contacted. She was so much help and support to me, so much appreciated.
Jenny
1 month ago, Google
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 months ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
2 months ago, Google
Rating4.9523 reviews
