Thriving Kids is for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism. The program offers low to moderate support to families.
The program supports will be introduced over time. Some supports are now available, including:
- practical information and guidance to help families understand what's available
- more publicly funded autism assessments for children aged 8 and under
- more places available in the Strengthening Parent Support Program. This will help parents build skills, confidence, and foster relationships
- expanded training to help kindergarten staff identify and respond to developmental concerns for children.
More supports will be introduced over time. This includes 2 new developmental checks for all children:
- one as children start kinder
- one before school.
This will help to ensure any development delay is picked up early. Children and families will get the support they need for success at kinder and at school. These checks will be undertaken by allied health professionals and trained clinicians.
A range of targeted allied health and other support services will be rolled out from 2027. The first 6 sites will be located at Bendigo, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Loddon, Maribyrnong, and Melton. They will open from January 2027. More information about the roll out of allied health supports will be available soon.
The full range of Thriving Kids services will be in place from 1 January 2028.
There will be no changes to how children with developmental delay and autism access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.
Visit vic.gov.au for more information for families about Thriving Kids.
The Commonwealth and Victorian governments fund Thriving Kids. The program is led by the Victorian Department of Education, and supported by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.