5/322 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
engagement@mccall.org.au
(02) 9679 1031
5/322 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
engagement@mccall.org.au
(02) 9679 1031
Thriving Kids – Explained
Clear information to help families understand what is changing,
what is not changing yet and what happens next.
What is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is a new early intervention program for children aged eight and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
The program will also provide information and support for families, carers and kin.
A diagnosis will not be required to access Thriving Kids. More information about eligibility, intake and referral pathways will be released as services become available.
Latest Thriving Kids update
The first phase of Thriving Kids began on 1 October 2026, with new national information and support options now available to families.
Families can now access the Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub, delivered by Raising Children Network. The Hub includes information and practical resources about child development, developmental concerns, autism and finding support. Health, Disability and Ageing Australia.
A new Thriving Kids Autism Helpline is also available for families looking for autism-specific information, advice and help connecting with relevant supports.
Thriving Kids Autism Helpline: 1300 654 789
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm AEST.
Thriving Kids will continue to roll out gradually across Australia and NSW. More services and local access information will become available over time.
There are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028. Health, Disability and Ageing Australia.
Last updated: 2nd October 2026
Key dates
From October 2026
General supports will begin becoming available for families who have concerns about their child’s development.
From January 2027
Targeted supports will begin becoming available for children who need additional support for a specific period of time.
Throughout 2027
More general and targeted supports will become available across NSW.
From 1 January 2028
Planned changes to NDIS access arrangements will begin for children aged eight and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
What support will be available?
Thriving Kids will include two types of support. What is available will depend on the needs of each child and family, as well as local service availability.
General supports
General supports will be available to families who have concerns about their child’s development.
These may include:
- supported playgroups for children aged five and under
- peer support and parenting programs
- information, advice and referrals to help families understand child development and find support early
Targeted supports
Targeted supports will be available to children who need additional support for a specific period.
These may include:
- individual or small-group allied health therapy
- play-based sessions delivered by qualified clinicians
- information, advice and referrals
- support to work towards specific developmental goals
- low-cost assistive technology in some circumstances
More information is still being developed about how families will access Thriving Kids supports in NSW. Nationally, the program is being designed so families can find support through a range of familiar places, including healthcare, education and other services.
What does this mean for current NDIS families?
Changes to NDIS access for children are not due to begin until 1 January 2028.
Children aged eight and under who are enrolled in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to have their eligibility reassessed under the criteria that applied before that date.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including children with high support needs, will continue to be considered for the NDIS under the relevant access arrangements.
This does not mean every child currently receiving NDIS support will automatically move to Thriving Kids.
The circumstances and support needs of each child are different. McCall cannot provide individual eligibility decisions, but the team will continue sharing confirmed information to help families understand the changes.
Understanding Thriving Kids : 5 things to know
Looking for a simpler overview?
What is still being developed?
Some parts of Thriving Kids have not yet been confirmed or published, including:
- the full elegibility requirements
- what services will be available in each local area
- detailed intake and referral processes
- which organisations will deliver each service
- McCall’s role in delivering Thriving Kids services
The NSW Government has advised that information about available services, locations and access will be published as services begin.
What should families do now?
Families who need support before Thriving Kids services become available can continue using existing supports.
There is no need to make changes to current McCall appointments based only on the information announced so far. Speak with the relevant McCall team if you have questions about current services or appointments.
As Thriving Kids develops, families are expected to be able to find information and support through a range of familiar places, including healthcare providers, education settings and other services.
For confirmed program updates, families can:
- Visit this page regularly
- Read the NSW Government Thriving Kids Information
Family information session
Thriving Kids: what families need to know
On 30 September 2026, McCall General Manager of Allied Health Brad Sculley hosted an online information session for families about
Thriving Kids.
The session covered the information confirmed so far, including:
- what Thriving Kids is
- the difference between general and targeted supports
- key rollout dates
- what current NDIS families should know
- recent updates about how families may find and access support
- what is still being developed
The presentation was recorded on 30 September 2026. Thriving Kids is still being developed, and some information may change as further details are released.
For the most current information, continue to refer to the updates on this page and the official government sources linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child lose their NDIS support?
Changes to NDIS access for children are not due to begin until 1 January 2028.
Children aged eight and under who are enrolled before that date will continue to have their eligibility reassessed under the criteria that applied before 1 January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be considered for the NDIS.
Does anything change immediately?
Thriving Kids services will begin becoming available gradually from October 2026.
Changes to NDIS access are not due to begin until January 2028. Families who need support now can continue using existing services.
Will my child need a diagnosis?
A formal diagnosis will not be required to access Thriving Kids services.
Further information about eligibility and intake will be published before services become available.
How will families access Thriving Kids?
Detailed access information is still being developed.
The NSW Government has confirmed that targeted supports will be accessed through a central intake process managed by the Department of Communities and Justice. More information about general supports and local services will be published as they become available.
Will McCall provide Thriving Kids services?
This has not been confirmed.
McCall will share information about any future role in delivering Thriving Kids once formal details are available.
Can McCall tell me whether my child will be eligible?
McCall can provide general information and help families understand confirmed announcements, but individual eligibility decisions will be made through the relevant government process.
For questions about a child’s current McCall supports, speak with their usual clinician or contact the team.
Stay informed
Thriving Kids is still being developed, and information may change as services are introduced.
McCall will review this page regularly and update it when new information is confirmed.
You can also read information directly from:
Contact McCall
Have a question about current McCall Allied Health or Early Childhood Intervention supports?
Phone: (02) 9679 1031
Email: engagement@mccall.org.au
Please note that McCall cannot make decisions about Thriving Kids or NDIS eligibility.