Thriving Kids: Supporting children to grow and thrive

Every child deserves the support they need to grow, learn and thrive in their early years.

Across Australia, governments are working to strengthen early childhood supports through a new approach known as Thriving Kids. The goal is to make it easier for children and families to access the right support early and in everyday settings such as home, early learning and community.

Many families are asking what these changes may mean for their child and their current supports. This page brings together information from government and trusted sources, along with what we are hearing from families and the community.

We will continue updating this page as more information becomes available.

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids is a new national approach to strengthening supports for young children with developmental delay, disability or autism and their families.

The approach recognises that children develop in different ways and aims to provide earlier, more accessible supports that help children grow, learn and participate in everyday life.

According to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Thriving Kids aims to:

Provide earlier access to support
Make it easier to get help without needing a diagnosis
Strengthen supports in everyday settings such as early learning, schools and community
Better connect health, education and disability supports
Create a more joined-up early childhood system

Research consistently shows that when children and families receive the right support early, children’s development, wellbeing and participation are strengthened.

A gradual transition

Thriving Kids will be introduced gradually from late 2026, with staged implementation expected across 2026–2027 as systems and services are established.

Current information indicates that:

Changes will be introduced over time
Existing supports will continue during transition
Further detail will be shared as it becomes available

This means there are no immediate changes to current supports for families at this stage.

The overall aim is to strengthen supports around children and families over time.

How the new approach may work

The future Thriving Kids model is expected to bring together different types of support so children and families can access help in ways that are timely and appropriate.

Supports are expected to include:

Early support available without always needing a formal diagnosis
Services in everyday settings such as early learning and community environments
Stronger connections between services so families do not have to navigate systems alone
A mix of community-based supports and more individualised supports where needed
Family and peer support approaches

Children with significant disability who meet eligibility will continue to receive individualised funding through the NDIS. Other children may access support through strengthened community-based early childhood services.

Full details about eligibility and pathways are still being developed and will be shared as they are confirmed.

What families are asking

Families across Australia are seeking clear and practical information about how the new approach will work.

Common questions include:

How the transition will happen over time
What supports will look like in everyday practice
How services will work together
How children will move between systems if needed
How quality and consistency will be ensured

Information from organisations such as Belongside Families and Children and Young People with Disability Australia shows that many families feel both hopeful about earlier support and are keen for more clarity about how the model will work in daily life.

These are thoughtful and important questions. It is normal to want clear information during a period of change.

Supports available now

While national reforms are being developed, many supports that reflect the Thriving Kids approach are already available to families.

These include supports that:

Strengthen children’s development and participation
Build family confidence and connection
Are held in everyday community settings
Include peer support and practical guidance

At Plumtree, current supports that reflect these approaches include:

Supported and community playgroups

Welcoming spaces where children and families can connect, learn and participate together.

Learn more

Now & Next program

A peer-led program by families for families to build confidence, set goals and strengthen their child’s participation and wellbeing.

Learn more

Learning Together calendar

Workshops and groups focused on child development, family wellbeing and connection.

Learn more

Early childhood supports and partnerships with educators

Working alongside families and early learning settings to support children’s development and participation in everyday environments

Learn more

These supports continue to be available and reflect the shared goal of helping children thrive within their families and communities.

If you would like to learn more about any of these supports, our team is always happy to help.

Plumtree’s role

Plumtree is actively involved in national and NSW discussions about how early childhood supports for children and families will work into the future.

We are working alongside families, community organisations, researchers and government to:

Share clear and balanced information
Support calm and informed conversations
Advocate for strong, family-centred supports
Ensure family experience informs system design
Contribute to high-quality community-based supports for children

Our focus remains on ensuring that children and families are well supported and that changes strengthen early childhood supports over time.

During this time of change

At this stage, families are encouraged to:

Continue with current supports
Stay connected with trusted services and communities
Seek information from reliable sources
Reach out if they have specific questions

There is no need to make immediate changes. What matters most is that children and families continue to feel supported while this next phase is being developed.