Introduction to Thriving Kids in NSW
Thriving Kids is a new program that will provide short term early intervention services for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism, who have low to moderate support needs, and for their families, carers and kin.
Every child grows and learns in their own way.
Children develop differently, with their own strengths, interests and ways of engaging with the world.
Understanding how a child grows, learns and develops can help you recognise when they might need extra support.
If a child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills they once had, or there are other developmental concerns, families should act early and talk to a doctor or child and family health nurse.
Thriving Kids works alongside existing health, early childhood, education, community and disability services.
Support available through Thriving Kids
A child does not need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids.
Support is shaped around a child’s strengths, needs and goals.
Different children and families will need different types of support.
Thriving Kids services will provide a range of early intervention community supports for children and families, that will include things like:
- supported playgroups
- parenting programs
- peer support for families, carers and kin
- information and advice about child development
- help finding and connecting with services.
Some children who need extra help to work towards their developmental goals may also receive short term allied health support.
Families do not need to know exactly what kind of support is needed before asking for help.
Thriving Kids Services
Thriving Kids is being introduced across NSW in stages from October 2026.
More services will become available throughout 2027 as the program continues to roll out.
Services will be delivered in community-based settings and will reflect local needs and communities, including Aboriginal families, multicultural families and families living in regional, rural and remote NSW.
Not every service will be available in every location.
More information about where Thriving Kids services will be delivered and how families can access them will be provided as services roll out.
Families can also join the Thriving Kids mailing list to receive updates.
National information and support
The Australian Government provides national phone and online advice, information about child development and resources to help families, carers and kin find services and support when they have concerns about their child’s development.
Explore the national Thriving Kids webpage for information and support.
Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub
Find trusted information and resources about child development, developmental delay and the support available to families.
Thriving Kids Autism Helpline
Get information and advice if you have questions about your child’s development or autism.
8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday
National phoneline
Speak with a child health nurse about development and behavioural concerns, including connection to appropriate supports and services.
7am to midnight, 7 days a week
For children already accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) there will be no changes before January 2028.
Thriving Kids and the NDIS are separate programs and provide support in different ways.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with higher support needs, will continue to access the NDIS, subject to NDIS eligibility requirements.
The NSW Government does not make decisions about NDIS access or plans. NDIS eligibility decisions are made by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Understanding child development and support
Early child development
Find information about how children grow, learn and develop and the different ways you can support their development.
Health and development checks
Learn what happens at health and development checks and how to track your child’s developmental milestones
Child and family health services
Find child and family health services in NSW, including where to access health and development checks.
What is developmental delay?
Understand what developmental delay means and the signs you may notice as your child grows.
What is autism?
Learn about autism and the different ways autistic children communicate, play and learn.
What is early intervention?
Learn how early intervention can help your child build skills and support their learning and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Health and development checks are very important. They help you track how your child is growing and developing by looking at how they play, learn, speak, act and move.
Health and development checks can be done by a doctor or child and family health nurse.
Learn the Signs. Act Early milestone monitoring tools help you track your child’s development. These tools are in your child's Blue Book.
You can complete the Learn the Signs. Act Early milestone monitoring tools before every health and development check.
You know your child best.
If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills they once had, or you have other concerns, act early.
Talk with your doctor or child and family health nurse.
Thriving Kids services will include a range of early intervention community supports for children and families, that will include things like:
- supported playgroups
- parenting programs
- peer support for families, carers and kin
- information and advice about child development
- help finding and connecting with services.
Some children who need extra help to work towards their developmental goals, may also receive short term allied health support
Support is shaped around a child’s strengths, needs and goals – not a diagnosis.
Different children and families will need different types of support.
Thriving Kids services will be delivered in community-based settings that are familiar and accessible to children and families.
Not every service will be available in every location.
The NSW Government is working with local communities, service providers and partner agencies to deliver Thriving Kids services around the needs of children and families across NSW.
More information about local services will be provided as they become available.
Thriving Kids is being introduced across NSW in stages from October 2026.
More information about where Thriving Kids services will be delivered and how families can access them will be provided as services roll out.
No. A child does not need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids services.
Thriving Kids will help children and families access support when concerns about their child’s development are identified.
Health and development checks are important. They help track how a child is growing and developing by looking at how they play, learn, speak, act and move.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, you should act early and talk to a doctor or child and family health nurse.
No. Thriving Kids and the NDIS are separate programs and provide support in different ways.
Thriving Kids will provide a range early intervention community supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism, who have low to moderate support needs, and for their families, carers and kin.
Thriving Kids does not provide individual funding packages.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with higher support needs, will continue to access the NDIS, subject to NDIS eligibility requirements.
Children’s needs are different and can change over time. Some children may need more intensive, specialised or long-term support.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or the level of support they may need, talk to a doctor or child and family health nurse – they can help you understand what other supports and services may be available.
The Department of Communities and Justice website includes information for service providers about the Thriving Kids program and upcoming opportunities to be involved. This includes information about service delivery requirements and supporting the sector and workforce with the transition to Thriving Kids.
Non-English speakers can access telephone interpreters any time through Translating and Interpreting Service National.
- Phone 131 450 (24 hours, every day of the year)
- Say the language you speak
- Have the name and number of the organisation ready
People who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can access an Australia-wide phone service through National Relay Service.
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users call 1300 555 727
- Teletypewriter users call 133 677
- SMS relay text 0423 677 767
To use the automatic translator, select your preferred language from the translation tool at the top right-hand corner of any page on this website.