$2b Plan to Support Kids Outside the NDIS
The federal government has just announced a major shift in how children with developmental delays and autism will be supported, and it’s sparking plenty of debate. Health Minister Mark Butler revealed that $2 billion will be set aside for a new initiative called the “Thriving Kids” program , which is expected to roll out by July next year.
The idea is pretty straightforward: the NDIS, or National Disability Insurance Scheme, was originally designed for people with significant and permanent disabilities. But over time, more and more children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism have entered the scheme. For many parents, it was the only option available, even if their child’s needs didn’t perfectly align with what the NDIS was created to provide.
Mark Butler made it clear that this trend is becoming unsustainable. The NDIS is already growing at a rapid rate and, even with a growth target of 8 percent set for next year, costs are forecast to climb past $100 billion over the next decade. That’s why the government is now aiming to cap growth even further, ideally between 5 and 6 percent. The concern is simple: if nothing changes, the financial weight of the scheme could end up rebounding on participants themselves, putting the long-term viability of the NDIS at risk.
This is where the “Thriving Kids” program steps in. Instead of placing children with milder delays into a system designed for permanent disability, this new program will act as a dedicated support network. The goal is to ensure these children receive the right kind of early intervention and services, while also easing the pressure on the NDIS.
It’s not just about cost-cutting, though. The government says it wants a nationally consistent program, rather than leaving states and territories to design their own separate models. That way, families across the country can access the same type of care and support, regardless of where they live. Negotiations are still ongoing between the Commonwealth and the states to iron out the details, particularly around funding and resourcing.
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Some disability advocates are watching these changes closely, raising concerns that children could miss out on the level of care they need. Butler has responded by stressing that the NDIS was never intended to cover every child with developmental challenges, and that the “Thriving Kids” program is a way of realigning the system with its original purpose.
In short, this move represents both a cost-control measure and a structural reform. It acknowledges that while the NDIS is vital, it cannot be the one-size-fits-all solution for every child. The government is betting that by creating a separate pathway for kids with developmental delays and autism, the scheme will be preserved for those who truly need it most, while also giving families new avenues of support that may ultimately work better for their children’s needs.
$2b "Thriving Kids" Plan to Ease NDIS Pressure
The federal government has announced a major shift in the way children with developmental delays and autism will be supported. A $2 billion investment has been committed to create a new initiative, called the “Thriving Kids” program, which is expected to launch by July next year. The program is designed to provide early and targeted support for children, with the aim of diverting them away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS.
According to NDIS Minister Mark Butler, the scheme was originally established to provide essential support for people with permanent and significant disabilities. But over time, the number of children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism entering the NDIS has grown far beyond what was anticipated. Mr Butler explained that this has put increasing financial strain on the scheme, threatening its long-term sustainability. He stressed that while the NDIS remains vital, it is not the right place for children whose conditions can be managed through early interventions and community-based support.
The “Thriving Kids” program is intended to fill that gap. It will act as a dedicated pathway for children who need additional assistance but do not require the lifelong support structure of the NDIS. By creating a national framework, the government hopes to ensure families have access to consistent services across the country, rather than relying on a patchwork of programs that vary from state to state.
Butler acknowledged that foundational supports, which had been flagged in previous NDIS reviews, had drifted without clear structure. The new program is being positioned as the practical delivery of that idea, tailored specifically to children. He also highlighted that states and territories will be involved in resourcing and shaping the rollout, though the federal government will lead to guarantee national consistency.
This announcement comes alongside broader conversations about the future of the NDIS. The scheme’s growth has been significant, and even with an interim growth target of 8 percent set by National Cabinet, costs are still projected to reach $105 billion over the coming decade. Butler has suggested further reforms may be needed to bring growth closer to 5 or 6 percent, but those changes will require agreement across governments.
Disability advocates have expressed some concern about these reforms, particularly about whether children who are moved off the NDIS will continue to receive the support they need. The minister, however, has insisted that the Thriving Kids program is being designed with families and communities in mind, to ensure children are not left without help.
In short, the government is seeking to strike a balance: protecting the NDIS for those with permanent disabilities, while building a new system that gives children with developmental delays and autism the best chance to thrive early in life. The $2 billion commitment marks a significant step in reshaping disability support, and much of the focus will now turn to how effectively the new program is implemented.
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