Thriving Kids

Tasmania has entered into a bilateral agreement with the Australian Government to implement Thriving Kids, a national system of foundational supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism with low to moderate support needs and their families.

The program aims to identify developmental concerns earlier and connect children and families with timely and appropriate supports. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), subject to usual NDIS arrangements.

Under Thriving Kids, Tasmania will provide general parenting supports, local information, advice, navigation and targeted supports. Thriving Kids will be provided in environments where children live, learn and play. The Thriving Kids program will be implemented with a staged rollout starting in October 2026 and full implementation is expected by 1 January 2028.

Public consultation

The Tasmanian Government is committed to building a disability service system that uses evidence-based approaches and best practice to improve outcomes for children, families, and the broader community.

Key Tasmanian Government agencies have collaborated to develop an initial service delivery model. The next phase focuses on engaging with the community to refine and finalise the Thriving Kids service design.

Consultation is a central part of shaping how Thriving Kids will be delivered. Tasmanians with disability, their families, service providers and advocates can now have their say on how the Thriving Kids program will be delivered across the state.

The consultation process is a critical step in ensuring Thriving Kids is responsive, effective, and designed with the people it aims to support.

Consultation for Thriving Kids will take place between April and June this year. Register to participate in consultation by contacting us on the details below:

Disability Services and Reform
Email: disability@dpac.tas.gov.au
Phone: 1800 431 211

Frequently asked questions

What is Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids will focus on identifying developmental delay earlier and offering supports that assist children with developmental delay or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers and kin.

It will form a key part of an improved, strengthened disability ecosystem, filling service gaps for people with disability not eligible for NDIS supports but who cannot receive all the support they need through the mainstream service system.

Who will have access to Thriving Kids supports?

Thriving Kids is being designed and implemented for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers and kin.

What supports will be available through Thriving Kids?

Thriving Kids supports will include a mix of scaled existing services and new services. Supports are being designed and implemented in the service categories of:

• navigation, information and advice
• group family support and capacity building
• facilitated playgroups
• facilitated after-school and holiday groups
• key worker or more intensive capacity building
• group therapeutic supports
• individual therapeutic supports.

Where will I go to get Thriving Kids supports?

Thriving Kids will be provided in environments where children live, learn and play. Potential locations in Tasmania may include:

• child health and parenting services
• community health centres
• child and family learning centres
• Neighbourhood Houses
• schools.

When will Thriving Kids supports be available?

The staged rollout of Thriving Kids supports in Tasmania will begin from October 2026, with the rollout to be completed by January 2028. It is a matter for each state and territory to determine where and how Thriving Kids supports are best designed and implemented in their region.

What will Thriving Kids mean for my child on the NDIS?

Children who are currently receiving NDIS supports will retain access to those supports once Thriving Kids is operational. Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with developmental delay or autism and significant support needs, will continue to be eligible for NDIS supports subject to usual arrangements.

How can I have my say on Thriving Kids service design?

Tasmanians with disability, their families, service providers and advocates can have their say on how Thriving Kids will be delivered across the state during public consultations from April to June 2026. Consultations will include both online and in-person engagement options to ensure they are effective, accessible and appropriate for stakeholders.

How will Thriving Kids be funded?

The Australian Government will commit $2 billion to the design and implementation of Thriving Kids over the five years from 2026-27 to 2030 31, with states to collectively contribute an additional $2 billion towards a total budget of $4 billion.

Where can I find out more about Thriving Kids?

Find out more about Thriving Kids at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.