The Structure and Scope of Thriving Kids
The federal government argues that the NDIS has expanded beyond its original design, with children under 15 accounting for just under half of all participants The Conversation. Under the new framework, foundational supports will be delivered where children naturally go—including schools, early childhood centres, and community spaces—rather than relying solely on individual NDIS funding packages The Conversation.
Universal supports begin immediately with supported playgroups for children aged five and under, alongside upcoming Medicare-funded three-year-old health checks The Conversation. Targeted services delivered by allied health professionals are scheduled to roll out through state and territory commissioning starting in January 2027 The Conversation. Crucially, formal NDIS eligibility criteria will remain unchanged until January 2028, ensuring children continue to enter the scheme during the transition The Conversation.
Reassessments and Sudden Funding Reductions
While the government establishes foundational community programs, freedom of information documents published by ABC News reveal that NDIA plan reviews have resulted in widespread funding cuts. Between July 1, 2024, and March 31, 2026, reassessments led to $2.83 billion being cut from participant packages ABC News. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 18,037 plans were reduced, marking the highest quarterly volume since early 2024 ABC News.
Eligibility revocations also accelerated sharply. Weekly revocations averaged 498 in early 2026—more than four times the rate recorded during the same period in 2025 ABC News. Concurrently, participants face broad mandatory budget adjustments, including a 50 percent reduction in social, civic, and community participation supports, and a 10 percent cut to improved daily living skills budgets ABC News.
Stakeholder Concerns and Implementation Friction
Disability advocates have expressed severe alarm over the compounding impact of scheme tightening. Emma Bennison, CEO of the Disability Advocacy Network Australia, noted that plans were being reduced well ahead of generational parliamentary overhauls due to incomplete information and breaking informal supports ABC News. George Taleporos, chair of Every Australian Counts, condemned the measures as ruthless changes that will increase reliance on families ABC News.
Political friction further complicates the rollout. Queensland has yet to sign up for Thriving Kids, with state minister Amanda Camm warning that the federal model risks shifting costs onto states and leaving vulnerable families stranded between tightened NDIS rules and nascent community supports The Conversation. With the federal government aiming to reduce scheme growth from its current 10.5 percent down to 2 or 3 percent ABC News, families face mounting uncertainty over long-term support as children age out of early intervention frameworks The Conversation.