Thriving Kids Updates
The latest on the Australian Government's Thriving Kids program — rollout timelines, eligibility, funding, and what it means for you.
Updates for Families
What families need to know about accessing Thriving Kids supports — eligibility, timelines, and how to get started.
- Update1 May 2026
WA Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy read summary now available
The WA Department of Communities has published a Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy read summary in both Word and PDF formats. Documents cover program scope, eligibility, and what supports will be provided. Thriving Kids supports are designed to be time-limited and accessible without a diagnosis.
Read on WA Communities - PolicyMay–June 2026
Community consultation with families and carers planned for May–June 2026
Separate community consultation is being planned for May–June 2026, targeting families, parents, caregivers, children, and people with lived experience. Details on how to participate will be provided soon.
Read on WA Communities - Update1 May 2026
Thriving Kids fact sheets and easy-read summary now available to download
The WA Department of Communities has published a Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy-read summary in both Word and PDF formats. Documents cover program scope, eligibility, and how supports will be delivered for children aged 0–8 with developmental delay or autism.
Read on WA Communities - UpdateMay–June 2026
Community consultation with families and carers planned
Further community consultation is planned for May–June 2026 with families, parents, caregivers, children and people with lived experience. Details will be provided soon.
Read on WA Communities - RolloutMay 2026
Targeted NGO and community consultation planned for May–June 2026
WA Communities is planning targeted consultation with non-government organisations across WA in May–June 2026 to confirm service design and assess sector preparedness, capability, capacity, and workforce considerations. Separate community consultation sessions for families, parents/caregivers, and people with lived experience are also planned for the same period; details to be released soon.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay 2026
Targeted NGO and community consultations planned for May–June 2026
The WA Government is planning two streams of consultation in May–June 2026: targeted briefings with non-government organisations across WA to confirm service design and assess sector readiness, and separate community consultations with families, parents/caregivers, and people with lived experience. Further details, including how to participate, will be released soon.
Read on WA Communities - UpdateEligibility
Thriving Kids services include general and targeted supports
General supports include supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under, peer support, parenting programs, and information services. Targeted supports provide goal-focused allied health therapies (occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology) delivered by qualified clinicians in individual, small group, or play-based sessions, plus low-cost assistive technology where appropriate.
Read on NSW DCJ - LatestMay 2026
Procurement begins in NSW — services moving from plan to reality
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice has opened Expressions of Interest for Thriving Kids service providers, the first state to begin procurement. Other states are expected to follow over coming months.
Read NDS update - Rollout1 October 2026
State and territory services begin
Thriving Kids commences rollout of state-delivered services from 1 October 2026, so children aged 8 and under with developmental needs can get support earlier through local community-based services.
health.gov.au — Thriving Kids - Full rollout1 January 2028
At scale nationally, ahead of NDIS access changes
Thriving Kids is expected to be at scale from 1 January 2028. This ensures national services are in place ahead of changes to NDIS access arrangements from the same date.
Fact sheet (PDF) - Who qualifiesEligibility
Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism
Thriving Kids is for children with low-to-moderate support needs. You don't need an NDIS plan or a formal diagnosis to start the conversation — speak to your GP, child health nurse, or contact us for navigation help. Children with higher support needs will still get help through the NDIS.
health.gov.au announcement - SupportsWhat's available
Allied health, parenting programs and navigation
Eligible children can access speech, occupational and physiotherapy, psychology, parenting programs and early childhood supports through community hubs and local services — without needing to go through the NDIS.
Raising Children Network — Q&A
Information current as of the date shown. We'll keep this page updated as the program rolls out.
Updates for Providers
What providers need to know about joining the Thriving Kids network — funding model, workforce demand, and requirements.
- Update1 May 2026
WA Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy read summary now available
The WA Department of Communities has published a Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy read summary in both Word and PDF formats. Documents cover program scope, eligibility, and what supports will be provided. Thriving Kids supports are designed to be time-limited and accessible without a diagnosis.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay–June 2026
Targeted NGO consultation planned for May–June 2026
The WA Government is planning targeted consultation with non-government organisations across WA in May–June 2026 to confirm service design and assess sector preparedness, capability, capacity, and workforce considerations. A Thriving Kids sector briefing is also planned, with details to follow.
Read on WA Communities - Update1 May 2026
Thriving Kids fact sheets and easy-read summary now available to download
The WA Department of Communities has published a Thriving Kids fact sheet and easy-read summary in both Word and PDF formats. Documents cover program scope, eligibility, and how supports will be delivered for children aged 0–8 with developmental delay or autism.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay–June 2026
Non-government consultation planned May–June 2026
WA is planning targeted consultation with non-government organisations across May–June 2026 to confirm service design, understand sector preparedness, capability and capacity, and address workforce considerations.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementApril–May 2026
Market Sounding Survey open for sector organisations
WA is conducting a Market Sounding Survey in April–May 2026 for sector organisations to provide information about services and supports they currently deliver, to inform Thriving Kids service design and procurement.
Read on WA Communities - RolloutMay 2026
Targeted NGO and community consultation planned for May–June 2026
WA Communities is planning targeted consultation with non-government organisations across WA in May–June 2026 to confirm service design and assess sector preparedness, capability, capacity, and workforce considerations. Separate community consultation sessions for families, parents/caregivers, and people with lived experience are also planned for the same period; details to be released soon.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay 2026
Market sounding survey open for sector organisations April–May 2026
Sector organisations can complete an online market sounding survey (April–May 2026) to provide information about services and supports they offer aligned to future Thriving Kids delivery. This is an early procurement and market intelligence step ahead of formal procurement processes.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay 2026
Targeted NGO and community consultations planned for May–June 2026
The WA Government is planning two streams of consultation in May–June 2026: targeted briefings with non-government organisations across WA to confirm service design and assess sector readiness, and separate community consultations with families, parents/caregivers, and people with lived experience. Further details, including how to participate, will be released soon.
Read on WA Communities - ProcurementMay 2026
Market Sounding Survey open for sector organisations April–May 2026
Sector organisations can complete an online Market Sounding Survey to share information about services and supports they currently provide, ahead of future Thriving Kids delivery. The survey is available via the WA Government announcements page.
Read on WA Communities - EligibilityProcurement
Not-for-profit organisations only eligible to apply for Thriving Kids
DCJ is seeking to contract not-for-profit organisations only to deliver Thriving Kids services. Private providers are not eligible to apply at this stage.
Read on NSW DCJ - UpdateEligibility
Thriving Kids services include general and targeted supports
General supports include supported playgroups for children aged 5 and under, peer support, parenting programs, and information services. Targeted supports provide goal-focused allied health therapies (occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology) delivered by qualified clinicians in individual, small group, or play-based sessions, plus low-cost assistive technology where appropriate.
Read on NSW DCJ - ProcurementMay 2026
Thriving Kids procurement opens May 2026 for October start
NSW DCJ will begin procurement in May 2026 for non-government organisations to deliver Thriving Kids services starting October 2026. Procurement involves two stages: expression of interest (EOI) followed by request for tender (RFT). An EOI information session was held on 13 May 2026.
Read on NSW DCJ - LatestMay 2026
NSW opens Expressions of Interest for providers
NSW is the first state to open Thriving Kids procurement. Providers can register their interest with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Other states are expected to begin procurement over the coming months.
NSW Thriving Kids (DCJ) - Rollout1 October 2026
States and territories begin commissioning
State-delivered Thriving Kids services commence from 1 October 2026. Providers registered with us now will be in front of families as referrals begin.
health.gov.au — Thriving Kids - Full rollout1 January 2028
At scale nationally — expect significant volume
Full national rollout is targeted for 1 January 2028, aligned with changes to NDIS access arrangements. Early registration helps you build a steady pipeline before competition increases.
NDIS — Thriving Kids - Program modelFunding
$4 billion over 5 years, jointly funded
Commonwealth and state governments have committed $4 billion over 5 years for the first phase of Foundational Supports. At least $1.4 billion of the Australian Government's $2 billion contribution will be provided as direct funding to states for Thriving Kids services.
Fact sheet (PDF) - Who's neededWorkforce
Allied health, behaviour support, early childhood
Demand is highest for speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, behaviour support practitioners and early childhood educators with experience supporting children 8 and under.
health.gov.au — Thriving Kids - What we needRegistration
Professional registration, WWCC, indemnity insurance
To join our matching network you'll need current professional registration in your discipline, a Working with Children Check for your state, and professional indemnity cover. NDIS registration is preferred but not required.
Information current as of the date shown. We'll keep this page updated as the program rolls out.