What supports are being delivered
Governments have agreed on a ‘national model’ which sets out what Thriving Kids looks like. This means families, carers and kin (families) can access similar types of supports across Australia.
Thriving Kids will be underpinned by the same principles and objectives in all states and territories, but it might look different in different locations. There is a good reason for that. It’s about building on existing strengths and investing where it makes the biggest impact.
Each state and territory government is working to make sure their services meet local needs. This will include a mix of existing and new supports.
Supports are mostly being delivered where children live, learn and play.
Thriving Kids is rolling out in stages. Some supports started in October 2026. Other supports are growing over time. All supports will be rolled out by January 2028.
Below are the kinds of supports that are being delivered as part of the national model.
Improved awareness of child development, and access to quality information
Families, communities and people who work with and support children can start accessing information about child development, developmental delay and autism. They can also get help to understand what supports are available and how to access them.
This information will help families and other important people in a child’s life to recognise when a child may be developing differently and may need some support – and understand where to go for this support.
Helping families and the community understand child development can:
- help families understand what supports children may need at different stages, or identify where they may need more help
- feel more confident supporting child development
- reduce stigma, and help children feel accepted, included and respected
- make it easier to find the right information or support at the right time.
Families can now access the:
- Thriving Kids National Digital Information Hub, delivered by the Raising Children Network. The hub shares reliable information, practical resources and guidance to help families understand and support their child’s development.
- National phoneline where families can speak with a maternal and child health nurse to get expert information and advice about childhood development and behaviour for children aged 8 and under. You can speak with a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or through video call – available 7am to midnight, 7 days a week.
- Thriving Kids Autism Helpline on 1300 654 789. This is sharing autism-specific information and advice for families with children aged 0 to 8 who may be on a journey to an autism diagnosis or have a diagnosis. The service helps families access reliable, evidence-informed advice, understand available support options, and connect with services. The helpline is available 8am to 7pm, 5 days a week.
- Thriving Kids website which is sharing key information about Thriving Kids for families and workforces at.
Thriving Kids supports aim to be an easy place to start when families are unsure what might be going on for their child. These websites and phonelines are a good place to start if you are not sure about where to seek more information or help or want to ask questions about your child’s development.
We will also provide communication and awareness raising about child development, developmental difference and Thriving Kids.
Thriving Kids is also providing local support to help families understand what supports are available in their state or territory.
Help to identify when a child may need extra support
Recognising when a child may need extra support early can:
- allow for early connections to the right supports for children and families
- help children with their development and participation.
As Thriving Kids supports roll out over time, families will be able to access:
- routine child development and health assessments
- a new Medicare Healthy Kids Check – supporting General Practitioners (GPs) to assess a child’s health and development at age 3. This will help families get advice about their child’s health and development. It will also identify supports they may need, including through Thriving Kids
- a new tool to support GP-led annual health checks for children aged 3 to 12 years with suspected or confirmed neurodevelopmental delay – adapting the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program
- a National Digital Child Health Record – which will make it easier for families and healthcare providers to keep track of children’s development information.
Supports for families
Families play the most important role in supporting a child’s development.
Thriving Kids will help to further build the confidence and understanding of families to support their child’s development, and to connect them with people who have similar experiences.
Thriving Kids will also provide evidence-based and culturally safe programs that help support their child's development through everyday activities.
These supports will include things like:
- peer support groups
- supported playgroups
- family programs
- self-advocacy supports
- online training and courses
- practical resources to use at home
- short videos and learning materials.
State and territory governments will deliver most of these supports. The Australian Government will deliver online peer support and is enhancing some existing programs for families.
Targeted supports for children and families who need it
Some children and families may need some additional support with their development through targeted supports.
This will include things like:
- allied health supports, such as speech pathology, occupational therapy or psychology
- low-cost assistive technology to help children participate, learn and build independence. This may include communication aids, sensory tools, or other practical supports for children related to supporting their development
- more intensive capacity building support for families who need extra help.
More intensive capacity building supports for families will:
- build the strengths of children
- navigate life transitions, like entering school
- when they are accessing supports from a range of different people under Thriving Kids.
These supports may be held:
- one-on-one or in groups
- in person or online.
State and territory governments will deliver these supports.
Making supports work for communities
Governments are working to ensure supports work for First Nations families and families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Thriving Kids will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners to identify the or support that matters most to their communities.
Aboriginal-led organisations will work with and connect children and families to the supports they need. They will do this in ways that work best for local communities.
We will share more information about these supports over time.
Supporting the workforce
The Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to help people who regularly interact with children, or who may deliver Thriving Kids supports, to:
- understand Thriving Kids
- further build their skills and knowledge on child development, developmental delay and autism.
National workforce supports will:
- share information, resources and training for people who work with children and families so they can refer children to Thriving Kids, where appropriate
- develop resources, training and tools to build the skills of those who may deliver Thriving Kids
- promote and embed the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention
- provide online child development training for teachers and early childhood educators
- support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to help First Nations children with developmental delay, difference and autism, and their families
- help primary care professionals identify and respond to neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, in children.
State and territory governments will also deliver workforce supports in key sectors.
How we will track progress
We will make updates to our website at key stages as Thriving Kids rolls out.
Governments will review Thriving Kids to understand what is working well and what may not be working as well. This will include:
- reports to monitor progress, service delivery, outcomes and emerging issues
- an independent 3‑year review of Thriving Kids.