The ACT government has announced the launch of Thriving Kids, a federal initiative aimed at supporting children under nine with developmental delays, starting from October 1, ahead of its official national start date in January 2028. While current NDIS participants will remain on it until 2028, critics fear some may face longer wait times for diagnosis and care. Minister Suzanne Orr emphasizes that Thriving Kids offers a dedicated phone line and additional support services to address developmental concerns early.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The ACT has announced the first phase of Thriving Kids, a program set to begin on October 1, 2023, aimed at providing early intervention for children under nine experiencing developmental delays. Critics fear that while the program promises better support, it might lead to longer waiting times for diagnosis and care for those diverted from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The initiative, a federal government project, seeks to offer assistance without requiring a formal diagnosis or specialist referral, potentially alleviating pressure on existing services but raising concerns about overwhelming resources. Despite assurances that current NDIS participants won't lose support, there are worries that some children might face delays in getting the help they need. Thriving Kids is expected to be fully implemented by January 2028, with all states and territories participating except for Queensland.
Written for “Thriving Kids Program Launch” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
In short:
The ACT has announced the first phase of Thriving Kids, a program aimed at helping children under nine experiencing developmental delay get access to support.
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children → announce → support
Those on the NDIS before 2028 will stay on it, subject to usual reassessment criteria, but critics say those who are diverted to Thriving Kids may face longer waits for diagnosis and care.
uncertain
who → stay → diagnosis
Thriving Kids starts on October 1 and is expected to be fully implemented by January 2028.
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Kids → start → January
The ACT government says children under the age of nine will not yet be removed from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as it begins to roll out the Thriving Kids program.
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it → say → program
A federal government initiative, Thriving Kids was announced as a way to better support children experiencing developmental delays.
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initiative → announce → delays
Today, ACT Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Minister Suzanne Orr announced Thriving Kids would begin to operate in the ACT from October 1, ahead of its official start date in January 2028.
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Kids → announce → January
All states and territories have opted in except for Queensland, but there are concerns it could mean some children will lose vital support.
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children → opt → support
But Ms Orr stressed that those currently accessing the NDIS would not lose that support.
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those → stress → support
Thriving Kids offers a phone line for parents or guardians to ring if they have questions about their child's development, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis or not.
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they → offer → diagnosis
"If you have a question on your child's development or delay, if you want to check in with an allied health professional, we will have those supports here,"Ms Orr said.
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Orr → have → supports
'You've got a place to go'
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You → get → place
Federal NDIS Minister Mark Butler released the model for Thriving Kids in February as part of a major overhaul of the way disability support is accessed and received in Australia.
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support → release → Australia
Announced without warning last August, it aims to divert children under nine years old with "mild to moderate" developmental delays and autism away from the NDIS.
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it → announce → NDIS
The first stage of the model centres on identification, where delays or support needs could be identified by a family member, a school or a health professional.
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delays → centre → member
The next stage connects families to the appropriate support, and the later stages focus on providing that care depending on the individual needs of the child.
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stages → connect → child
Some children will fall into categories deemed to be "low", "moderate" or "low to moderate" need.
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children → fall → categories
Children with "significant permanent disability" will remain eligible for the NDIS.
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Children → remain → NDIS
Those on the scheme before 2028 will stay on it, subject to the usual reassessment criteria.
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Those → stay → criteria
"The first phase of the rollout will be a scaling up of our existing services, so we'll have more supports there to assist more people in our community and we'll continue to see that build," Ms Orr said today.
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Orr → exist → community
"And if you have a concern, if you just have a question, you've got a place to go."
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you → have → place
Ms Orr said the program was "not about moving people off the NDIS".
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program → say → NDIS
"This is about meeting that unmet need within our community," she said.
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she → meet → community
"We'll continue to provide those supports and we'll continue to work through what it looks like for access to the NDIS and how Thriving Kids and the NDIS link."
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Kids → continue → NDIS
Education Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the funding would provide a "single point of contact".
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funding → say → contact
"[It's] a clearer pathway for parents, carers and families where they do have concerns about their child's developmental delay or any aspect of their child's development," she said.
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she → have → development
Autism Awareness Australia chief executive Nicole Rogerson told 666 ABC Canberra they still knew little about what the Thriving Kids program would deliver.
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program → tell → what
It feels a bit 1980s, but sure,"she said.
"What are the people on the phone line going to tell the parents when they ring?"
Ms Orr said that with early intervention created by Thriving Kids, they would be "getting more people the support they need when they need it, which will actually work in helping to move through the system more seamlessly when you need it as opposed to having to wait".
But Ms Rogerson said with children able to access it without a diagnosis, the service would likely be overwhelmed.
"It's going to capture children with ADHD, children with speech and language delays, it's going to capture children with behavioural issues," she said.
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she → feel → issues
"All I see in the future is wait times.
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I → see → future
"And the real reality is that children with autism need quality early intervention."
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children → need → intervention
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