Thriving Kids is a new initiative for children aged 0 to 8 years with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers and kin. It is part of the Australian Government's Foundational Supports reforms, developed in response to recommendations from the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which identified a gap between mainstream services and the NDIS for children and families seeking early support. 

The Western Australian Government is investing $361 million over five years, including $148 million in Commonwealth funding, to establish and deliver Thriving Kids supports across the State. 

Thriving Kids aims to make support easier to access, closer to home and more connected across services, helping children and families receive support earlier without necessarily requiring a diagnosis.

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a family-centred early intervention initiative designed to help children achieve their developmental, learning, participation and wellbeing goals while strengthening the confidence and capability of parents, carers and families. 

In Western Australia, Thriving Kids will focus on five key areas:

• Information, advice and navigation to help families find and access the right supports.
• Family capacity building through parenting, peer and community-based supports.
• Therapeutic supports for children who require additional targeted assistance.
• Autism-specific supports for children with autism and their families.
• Aboriginal-led supports designed and delivered for Aboriginal children, families and communities. 

What does this mean for children and families?

Thriving Kids is designed for children with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. It is intended to complement existing services and strengthen support for families through a more connected service system. 

Supports will be progressively introduced between 1 October 2026 and 1 January 2028. 

During this transition period:

• Children can continue to access the NDIS where eligible.
• Children who enter the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will remain in the Scheme under existing arrangements until they turn nine years of age. 

Families who believe their child may require more intensive or long-term disability supports should continue to explore NDIS eligibility and seek advice about available supports. 

Thriving Kids and mental health

Some children experience developmental delay and/or autism alongside emotional, behavioural or mental health challenges. These children and families may require support from a range of services.

The Mental Health Commission is working with the Department of Communities, Department of Education, Department of Health and other partners to support implementation of Thriving Kids and strengthen connections between developmental, disability and mental health services.

The Department of Communities is the lead agency for Thriving Kids in Western Australia.

For detailed information about eligibility, implementation and service delivery, visit the Department of Communities Thriving Kids webpage.