Thriving Kids Program

On 20 August, the Prime Minister announced a new Thriving Kids program in response to growing numbers of autistic children with developmental delay using NDIS funding. The press release of the speech from Minister Butler outlines the need for changes to the way that services are delivered.

Further information about the Thriving Kids Program is available from an Australian Government Fact Sheet. It is important for therapists, participants, parents/guardians and the early childhood sector to monitor these developments.

Occupational Therapy Australia have posted an OTA response online. This contains further information about reforms within the early childhood sector and provision of health services and other supports. Australian Financial Review discuss concerns.

Further information:

Australian Government, Thriving Kids Program Fact Sheet (2025) https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-08/thriving-kids-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/speech-from-minister-butler-national-press-club-20-august-2025?language=en

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-20/ndis-growth-thriving-kids-autism-mark-butler/105675484 

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/tighten-the-criteria-autism-accounted-for-70-per-cent-of-new-ndis-participants-in-2024/news-story/739256aeefde04fb189c58b879501fdc

https://otaus.com.au/news/breaking-major-government-announcement-on-new-childrens-early-intervention-services

https://www.afr.com/companies/healthcare-and-fitness/this-thing-is-a-beast-ndis-insiders-speak-out-20250819-p5mo80?

Sandra Kirkwood
Occupational Therapist (Wynnum Manly OT)
m. 0488 624 362 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Medicare Occupational Therapy (Term 4)

Image
MEDICARE--OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY--1 Sept 2024 Medicare Benefits Schedule  is found on the Australian Government website. MBS benefits are subject to change--according to MBS Online Standard Search | Medicare Benefits Schedule (health.gov.au) Medicare (MBS) Telephone: 13 21 50  for further information Children with an Approved Disability (Complex Neurodev; ASD) with Doctor's referral: 82010 Assessment > 50 min duration (4 sessions permitted--same day): MBS Benefit: $85.20 82025 Therapy > 30 min duration (20 sessions in a lifetime for under 25s): MBS Benefit: $85.20 93036 Telehealth therapy 30+ min duration (4 sessions permitted--same day): MBS Benefit: $85.20 93033 C omplex neurodevelopmental disorder and approved disability telehealth services 30 min duration (4 sessions permitted--same day): MBS benefit  $85.20 93041 Complex neurodevelopmental disorder and approved disability telephone services 50 min duration (4 sessions permitted--same day):  MBS b...
Read more

The Drumley Walk: Promoting Health through Poems and Songs that Remember Yugambeh Aboriginal Leaders and Languages

Image
  Title:            The Drumley Walk: Promoting Health through Poems and Songs that Remember Yugambeh Aboriginal Leaders and Languages  (Presented at Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference, 2013)   Author:         Sandra Kirkwood B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil. Director, Music Health Australia. Email: kirkwood13@bigpond.com   Key Words: Applied Ethnomusicology, Primary healthcare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, cultural heritage, community development.   Abstract: The Drumley Walk is an annual three-day walking pilgrimage from Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, to Southport on the Gold Coast. The 65 kilometre journey follows the footsteps of Beaudesert Aboriginal identity Billy Drumley. In the early 1900s he trekked through farmland and bush to visit his sister Jenny Graham who lived at Southport with her many children and grandchildren. Rory O’Connor...
Read more

School Planning -- Therapy Set up 2025

Image
Therapist working in Schools 1984--2024  During the last 40 years, I have worked in schools in south-east Queensland as an Occupational Therapist and Music Instructor (piano). Looking back, I am developing a list of ideas that work well for therapists as we begin the new school year in 2025. This may inform the development of ad hoc therapy support services in schools.      Occupational Therapist   (CC Attribution)                                   Petrie Tce State School--1970  By 'ad hoc,' I mean therapy services provided indirectly to school students in schools--by a range of parent-controlled and community service groups. The funding can be sourced through NDIS, Medicare, private and health insurance or other non-government funds. There is a constellation of therapy services that operate within schools in various ways--with varying lev...
Read more