What supports will be delivered
Governments have agreed on a ‘national model’ which sets out what Thriving Kids should look like. This means families, carers and kin (families) can access similar types of supports across Australia. Each state and territory government can then make sure their services meet local needs. This will include a mix of existing and new supports.
Supports will mostly be delivered where children live, learn and play.
Thriving Kids will roll out in stages. Some supports will start from October 2026. Other supports will grow over time. All supports will be rolled out by January 2028.
Below are the kinds of support that will be 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 will have access to information about child development, developmental delay and autism. Thriving Kids will also help people understand what supports are available and how to access them.
This will help families and other important people to recognise when a child may be developing differently and understand where to go for 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.
Thriving Kids will provide:
- communication and awareness raising about child development, developmental difference and Thriving Kids
- a national Digital Hub with information and resources on child development, developmental delay and difference, and where to find supports
- national phone supports to provide information and advice on how to connect with the right support. This will include supports for families who have questions about a child’s development or behaviour. It will also include an Autism Helpline to provide trusted information for families of Autistic children or children who may be on a journey to a diagnosis of autism
Thriving Kids will also provide 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:
- connect children and families with the right supports
- help children with their development and participation
Thriving Kids will provide:
- 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 – to make it easier for families and healthcare providers to access and share a child’s health and development information. Currently information is held across multiple sources, including paper-based booklets and local systems. This can make it hard for families and health providers to keep track of children’s development information
Supports for families
Families play the most important role in supporting a child’s development.
Capacity building programs can help families further build skills, confidence and connections with people who have similar experiences.
Families will be able to access evidence-based and culturally safe programs that help support their child's development through everyday activities.
These supports may 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 will enhance the Positive Partnership program.
Targeted supports for children and families who need it
Some children and families may need targeted supports.
This could 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 will help families:
- 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.
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.