There’s been a lot of conversation about Thriving Kids, a new national program linked to the NDIS. Big announcements like this can naturally raise questions like: What does it mean for my child and my family? First things first: nothing changes for you right now. If your child already has an NDIS plan, or receives one before Thriving Kids begins, they will continue to be supported under the NDIS.
We also understand that uncertainty can feel uncomfortable. Please know we’re here to walk alongside you and help your family navigate any changes, if and when they come. Many details are still being worked through on both a national and state level, and not all information is available yet. To keep things calm and clear, we’ve pulled together what we know so far in a simple Q&A, along with what this means for families who access A Growing Understanding’s speech pathology services.
NOTE: This blog relates to the Thriving Kids program announced by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, and the information is current at the time of publishing.
What is The Thriving Kids Program?
Based on the recent announcement by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, Thriving Kids is a national initiative designed to strengthen foundational supports for children across health, education, and community settings. The intent, from our perspective, is clear: communication isn’t a “nice-to-have”. It’s a critical developmental need, and speech pathology needs to be a central part of the solution so children can learn, participate, and be heard.
At A Growing Understanding, our focus remains steady. We support children and their families, and we believe access to services should be equitable and responsive to each child’s lived experience. That philosophy will guide how we engage with Thriving Kids as it takes shape.
What we understand at this stage (subject to refinement as co-design progresses):
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Timing: Planned to commence from July 2026.
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Who it supports: Children with ‘mild-moderate’ developmental needs who may not meet NDIS eligibility or who need early help outside the NDIS.
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What it may include:
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Stronger supports in schools and preschools, placing help where children live and learn.
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New Medicare items for allied health, including speech pathology, to improve affordability and access.
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Locally funded, community-based programs such as parent workshops, group supports, and targeted early intervention.
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Why it’s being introduced: To enable the NDIS to focus on children with the most ‘significant and permanent disabilities’, while ensuring all families have timely routes into the right supports.
As more detail emerges, we’ll translate it into practical next steps for families in our community and keep championing needs-led, accessible care.
Will this change affect my child’s NDIS plan?
We know continuity matters. If your child is settled into therapy and you’ve worked hard to put supports in place, the idea of system changes can feel unsettling. Please be reassured: nothing changes for you right now.
Here’s what that means in practical terms:
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Current NDIS plans continue as usual. Your appointments, plan budgets and goals remain in place.
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Upcoming plan reviews proceed under current rules. Prepare as you normally would; there’s no extra action needed because of Thriving Kids.
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New plans granted before Thriving Kids begins (planned from July 2026) will continue to be supported under the NDIS.
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Our services continue without interruption. We’ll keep working toward your child’s goals and update you if any future changes create new options.
Why is this change happening?
We believe the intent behind Thriving Kids is straightforward: to make sure every child can access the right help at the right time. The Government has signalled that the NDIS should focus on children with the most ‘significant and permanent disabilities’, while children with ‘mild-moderate’ developmental needs can receive early, practical supports outside the Scheme and closer to where they live and learn.
We also understand that government announcements often need clear categories and firm language. Real life is more nuanced. Autistic and nurodivergent individuals are not a single story. Needs differ from child to child and can change across settings and time. Our commitment is to ensure children receive support when and where they need it, guided by function and goals rather than labels alone.
In everyday terms, Thriving Kids aims to place more help in preschools, schools and community settings, and improve affordability through Medicare items for allied health (including speech pathology). The goal (we hope) is to simplify pathways, reduce wait times, and make early intervention more accessible so families don’t miss the window where early action can make a big difference.
What does Thriving Kids mean for A Growing Understanding?
Beyond headlines and acronyms, what matters most is how children and families will be supported. In many ways, we already do what Thriving Kids is designed to deliver, which is why we feel ready for this next chapter.
Here’s how that looks in practice:
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High-quality, family-centred speech pathology. Individual goals, practical strategies, and therapy that fits ‘real life’.
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Support for families and communication partners. Training, resources and encouragement so parents, carers and educators feel confident day to day.
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Living our CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence in every interaction, backed by evidence-based practice and a commitment to accessbality and inclusion.
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Impact and outcomes first. We measure what matters and focus on meaningful change, not just billable hours.
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Therapy where it matters most. In schools, homes, communities and our Centres, as well as online, so access isn’t limited by location.
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Speech pathologists as lead practitioners. We cut through complexity with coordinated, inclusive care and clear guidance.
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Strong local collaboration. We work closely with community services to ensure supports are functional and truly family-centred.
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Registered NDIS provider status. Families can be confident in our quality, safeguards and accountability, now and into the future.
In the Hunter, already highlighted as a focus region, families deserve services that are consistent, values-driven and future-focused. Whatever the funding model, policy acronym or programme name, our mission remains the same: to help children’s communication and feeding skills flourish, and to stand as a stronghold of trusted care for families in our region.
What’s next?
Thriving Kids will be co-designed over the coming months and years. As details are confirmed, we’ll keep families in the loop and focused on what matters day to day. We will continue to:
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Share updates in plain English, highlighting what changes (and what doesn’t) for families in our community.
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Work with local partners so pathways are practical and easy to navigate across the Hunter and surrounds.
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Plan ahead with you, so therapy stays consistent and flexible, whether supports are accessed via the NDIS, Medicare or locally funded programs.
In the meantime, keep doing what’s working: attend scheduled sessions, prepare for plan reviews as usual, and jot down any questions that pop up. When more information is available, we’ll sit down together, talk it through, and map the best path forward for your child.
While systems shift and reshape, our heart stays the same. We will continue to provide compassionate, evidence-based support that honours your child’s individuality and your family’s experience.
