Family support

You’ve noticed signs, have questions or need support

Thriving Kids supports are available for you and your child. If you have a question, want some information or advice or noticed signs your child might need extra support, you can:

use the information, or supports under Thriving Kids
ask your child’s early childhood educators for advice and strategies that can be applied at home and school
discuss options with your child’s GP or local maternal and child health nurse
speak to friends and family about their experiences.

Find trusted information

Thriving Kids will provide supports close to home and from trusted sources to help you with the skills and strategies to manage challenges and build upon your child's strengths.

You don’t need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids support. Find trusted advice, information and resources:

Visit the Thriving Kids Information Resources Hub – Evidence-based advice and resources for families and professionals on child development, developmental delay and neurodevelopmental difference.
Contact the Autism Helpline – Trusted information for families and professionals on neurodevelopmental differences and autism, including free autism advice by phone or webchat.

Speak to a maternal and child health nurse about your child’s development

The maternal and child health nurses will be able to provide expert information and general advice about child development and behaviour for children aged 8 and under.

The service allows you to speak directly with a maternal and child health nurse, either by phone on 1800 882 436 or video call.

Both phone and video call are free services from within Australia and are available from 7am to midnight (AEST), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

The video call service is easy to use and does not require any special software, just an internet connection, along with a camera, microphone, and speakers. You can access on a computer, tablet, or mobile device.

Learn about Thriving Kids in your state

Thriving Kids will roll out in stages. Some supports are available now. Other supports will grow over time. All supports will be available by January 2028.

Supports will include:

information, advice and resources about child development and where to get help
health and development checks, including a new GP check for children aged 3 years, to identify whether your child may need extra support
practical support and connections, including through things like peer support, facilitated playgroups, parenting groups, and family programs
where needed, families can access specialised support to help children build everyday skills and independence – such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, social workers, psychologists, and low-cost assistive technology, aids or equipment.

Families can access similar types of supports across Australia, but services might look different for each child, depending on their needs and local services.

Learn more about Thriving Kids where you live:

State and territory governments will share more information about local supports over time.

Access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme

How people access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will not change until 1 January 2028, when the NDIS access changes take place. Read more about how access to the NDIS is changing

While Thriving Kids is scaling up, and before access changes to the NDIS, the NDIS will continue to support children under the early childhood approach. To learn more, you can use the guide to the early childhood approach on the NDIS website.

Connect with an early childhood partner

Early childhood partners are local organisations with teams of professionals. They have specialist knowledge and experience working with young children with delays in their developmental or disability, and their families.

An early childhood partner helps you work out what supports you and your child might connect to. They work with you and your child to understand what support you both need.

Find an early childhood partner in your state or territory.

You can also connect with an early childhood partner directly by using the office finder on the NDIS website. If you live in an area that doesn’t have an early childhood partner you can call the National Disability Insurance Agency for more information on 1800 800 110.