Thriving Kids Programme: A New Approach to Early Childhood Support
The Albanese government has detailed its innovative Thriving Kids programme, designed to transform how young children with mild developmental delays and autism receive support. This new initiative will shift children under nine years old away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), offering a streamlined alternative focused on early intervention.
How Thriving Kids Differs from the NDIS
Unlike the NDIS, which requires a formal diagnosis for participation, the Thriving Kids programme will not mandate such documentation. This key difference is expected to accelerate access to services and reduce financial burdens on families. The programme will deliver support in familiar environments like schools and childcare centres, aiming to address developmental issues promptly and effectively.
The federal government and state territories have committed $4 billion to fund Thriving Kids, with costs shared equally. Approximately $1.4 billion of the federal contribution will be allocated directly to service provision, ensuring resources reach those in need efficiently.
The Four Pillars of the Programme
Health Minister Mark Butler and advisory panel chair Professor Frank Oberklaid have outlined four core components of Thriving Kids:
- Awareness and Early Identification: Focusing on recognising developmental issues at the earliest possible stage.
- Access to Information and Navigation: Providing parents with readily available advice and guidance.
- Parental Skill Development: Equipping families with tools to support their child's growth.
- Targeted Support Access: Ensuring swift connections to allied health professionals, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
This structured approach is designed to help families build on their child's strengths and navigate important transitions, such as starting school. While the NDIS offers annual funding packages, Thriving Kids will be goal-oriented and time-limited, linking support directly to developmental milestones.
Addressing NDIS Challenges
The introduction of Thriving Kids comes as the Labor government seeks to manage escalating costs within the NDIS. Recent data shows the scheme's growth rate has decreased from 22% in 2022 to about 10% last year, with national cabinet aiming to reduce it further to 8% this year and eventually 5-6%.
Currently, the NDIS supports approximately 750,000 participants at an annual cost of nearly $50 billion. Notably, around 11% of all five to seven-year-olds received NDIS services last year, with autism being the primary diagnosis for 40% of participants across all age groups.
Experts have raised concerns about the strain on the health workforce due to soaring demand, impacting hospitals, aged care, and other essential services. Professor Oberklaid highlighted that the NDIS model often focuses on a child's weaknesses, whereas Thriving Kids aims to recognise individual differences and needs more holistically.
Implementation Timeline and Eligibility
First announced in August last year, Thriving Kids is scheduled to commence operations on 1 October, following a three-month delay agreed upon by national cabinet. Full implementation is expected by January 2028.
Children already enrolled in the NDIS can remain on the scheme. Until 2028, children under nine will continue to be eligible for NDIS enrolment, while those with permanent and significant disabilities will retain lifelong access to NDIS support, subject to standard conditions.
Reactions and Future Outlook
Shadow Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Anne Ruston, criticised the government for being slow to clarify practical details of the programme. She emphasised the need for transparency regarding service delivery, budgetary impact, and commitments to managing NDIS growth.
Conversely, the Independent Education Union, representing staff in independent and religious schools as well as early childhood education centres, welcomed Thriving Kids. The union anticipates it will alleviate workload pressures on teachers and enhance support for children and families.
As the October start date approaches, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the rollout of Thriving Kids, which promises to reshape early intervention services for thousands of Australian children.
