Thriving Kids Program

News on the Thriving Kids Program is posted chronologically, as information comes to hand.

Update Engage DSS: November, 2025

On 23 October 2025, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, announced proposed reforms to supports and services for families, children, and young people.

The Department of Social Services is proposing to combine five existing programs under a new, single national program to support children and families.

    Children and Parenting Support

    Family Mental Health Support Services

    Communities for Children Facilitating Partners

    Family and Relationship Services

    Specialised Family Violence Services

They want to hear your thoughts on how delivery can be improved for the wellbeing of children and young people, their families, and communities.

Read the factsheet to understand what the proposed changes mean for families, parents and caregivers at https://engage.dss.gov.au/a-new-approach-to-programs-for-families-and-children/factsheet-for-families-parents-and-caregivers/

Details of the consultation can be found online at: https://engage.dss.gov.au/a-new-approach-to-programs-for-families-and-children/

Consultation period

3 November 2025 - 12:00 am To 5 December 2025 - 11:59 pm

Thriving Kids Queensland Partnership Final Report

The 18/09/2025 Final report can be viewed at https://tqkp.org.au/resources/ewot-final-report/

Thriving Kids Program Announcement

On 20 August 2025, 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.

Thriving Kids Advisory Group Final Report

Today (3 Feb 2026) the Australian Government released the Thriving Kids Advisory Group’s Final Report. See link: https://bit.ly/4qfgsvp

Occupational Therapy Australia Update following the release of the final report today, states: 

The Advisory Group recommends adopting the proposed model, but the Australian Government still needs to go into more detail and provide a full policy update on the Thriving Kids Initiative.

The Advisory Group recommends that Thriving Kids will be the best way to help parents and families build their own skills and networks and better connect with targeted services that support Australian children. Governments have agreed to invest $4 billion to deliver Thriving Kids. The Commonwealth is providing $2 billion, with $2 billion matched by states and territories. $1.4 billion of the Commonwealth’s contribution will go directly to support states and territories.

To ensure states and territories have enough time to implement Thriving Kids the rollout will now commence on 1 October 2026, with full implementation by 1 January 2028.

While the Advisory Group has released the Final Report, the Australian Government still needs to explain how the Thriving Kids Initiative will be implemented and how the workforce will be funded.

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?

Australian Government (2026, 3 Feb) Thriving Kids Advisory Group's Final Report https://bit.ly/4qfgsvp

Thriving Kids Queensland Partnership Final Report (2025, 18 Sep) https://tqkp.org.au/resources/ewot-final-report/

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

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