Important Update: NDIS Eligibility for Children Under Nine Faces Significant Changes

TL;DR: From January 1, 2028, children aged eight and under with low-to-moderate support needs will no longer enter the NDIS but will be supported by a new $4 billion program called Thriving Kids. Children with permanent and significant disabilities or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS. These reforms aim to provide more targeted early support, but families are raising concerns about continuity of care and the nature of the new program.

The landscape of NDIS eligibility for young children in Australia is undergoing its most significant reform to date. If you're a parent of a child under nine with a developmental delay or disability, the uncertainty surrounding these changes is undoubtedly a source of concern. At DisabilityInsights, we understand these anxieties, as thousands of families have voiced their worries to parliamentary inquiries and advocacy groups. Our aim is to provide clarity on what these changes mean for your child and what steps you can take. See our complete are-children-with-a-disability-still-eligible-for-the-ndis guide for broader context.

What are the Upcoming NDIS Eligibility Changes for Young Children?

The most critical change involves a split in the support pathway for children aged eight and under. From January 1, 2028, young children with low-to-moderate support needs, including those with developmental delay and some forms of autism, will no longer be able to access individualised NDIS plans. Instead, these children will receive support through a new national program called Thriving Kids, which is part of the government's broader "Foundational Supports" initiative. This new program is set to launch in October 2026. Conversely, children with high support needs, including those diagnosed with permanent and significant disabilities that result in substantially reduced functional capacity, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS under existing criteria. This reform aims to ensure that the NDIS focuses its individualised funding on those with the most significant and enduring needs, while providing broader, community-based support for others requiring early intervention.

Who Will Still Be Eligible for the NDIS from 2028?

From January 1, 2028, children aged eight and under will continue to be eligible for the NDIS if they have a permanent and significant disability that leads to a substantially reduced functional capacity. This critical term separates those who remain on the NDIS from those who will transition to Thriving Kids. Essentially, a child is likely to maintain NDIS eligibility if their disability profoundly impacts their ability to participate in everyday activities, requiring extensive ongoing support. This includes, for example, children with complex physical disabilities, significant intellectual disability, or autism with high support needs where daily functioning is severely impaired across multiple domains. The key is the permanence of the disability and the significant impact on daily life, requiring more intensive and individualised funding than a community-based program can provide. For children already enrolled in the NDIS before January 1, 2028, with developmental delay or autism with low-to-moderate support needs, their plans will continue to be assessed under the eligibility criteria that were in place before the changes, meaning they will not automatically lose their NDIS support.

What is Thriving Kids and How Will it Support Children?

Thriving Kids is a significant new national program, backed by $4 billion over five years, jointly funded by Commonwealth and state/territory governments. It represents the first phase of what the government terms "Foundational Supports," designed to provide early intervention and support services through community-based hubs. The intention is for therapy and developmental supports, such as speech pathology, occupational therapy, and psychology, to be delivered within community settings, making them more accessible to a wider range of children with low-to-moderate support needs. The program aims to foster early development and participation in everyday environments like childcare, playgroup, and preschool, empowering families with tools and information. However, the exact structure and delivery model are still being developed, and a major concern among families is how this community-based model will compare to the individualised, participant-chosen provider model currently offered through the NDIS's Early Childhood Approach. Thriving Kids is envisioned to provide foundational support without the need for an individual NDIS plan.

What Key Concerns Do Families and Advocates Have About These Reforms?

The NDIS reforms, particularly for children under nine, are causing considerable anxiety among families and disability advocates. A primary concern is the potential loss of choice and control over therapies and providers. Many children have established long-term, trusting relationships with specific therapists, and the shift to community hubs under Thriving Kids raises fears that these vital connections will be severed, potentially disrupting progress. There is also significant worry about the use of terms like "mild" and "moderate" to define eligibility, as these are policy constructions, not clinical terms, and may not accurately reflect the daily challenges faced by children, particularly those with Level 1 autism, whose needs can be underestimated in brief assessments. Furthermore, the readiness of community services for Thriving Kids is a major issue; many areas, especially regional and remote ones, currently lack the infrastructure and therapists required to embed such programs, raising fears of service gaps. Finally, families are seeking a firm guarantee that no child will receive less support under Thriving Kids than they currently would under the NDIS, and a strong call for neuro-affirming, co-designed approaches that genuinely reflect the needs of autistic children and their families.

What Recommendations Have Been Made to Safeguard Children's Supports?

In December 2025, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability released the "No Child Left Behind" report, following an extensive inquiry into the Thriving Kids program. This report incorporated over 400 submissions from concerned families, advocacy organisations, and service providers, highlighting the widespread community concern. The committee put forth 16 key recommendations aimed at ensuring the new system effectively supports children without leaving any behind. These recommendations included calls for robust monitoring and evaluation of the new programs, ensuring that foundational supports are genuinely accessible and equitable across all regions, and explicitly guaranteeing that no child receives less support than they would have under the NDIS. Additionally, the report stressed the importance of co-design with autistic individuals and families, to ensure that the services offered are neuro-affirming and truly meet the diverse needs of children. While these recommendations provide a roadmap for improving the reforms, their full adoption and implementation by the government remain critical for the successful and fair transition to the new system.

What Should Parents Do Now to Protect Their Child's Access?

For parents of children under nine, understanding these changes and taking proactive steps is crucial. If your child is already on the NDIS before January 1, 2028, it's important to know that their plan will continue to be assessed under the existing eligibility criteria. You won't automatically lose your plan. Focus on continuing to gather evidence of your child's needs and the impact of their disability on their functional capacity. If your child is not yet on the NDIS but you believe they have a permanent and significant disability with high support needs, consider submitting an Access Request Form now, with comprehensive evidence from relevant health professionals, especially if your child is approaching the age cut-off or the 2028 deadline. Ensure all documentation clearly outlines the permanence of the disability and its significant impact on daily life. For those whose children may eventually fall into the low-to-moderate support needs category, stay informed about the development of the Thriving Kids program, advocate for robust and accessible community supports, and engage with advocacy groups who are pushing for effective co-design and service guarantees.

Key Takeaways

• From January 1, 2028, children aged 8 and under with low-to-moderate support needs will transition to the new Thriving Kids program.
• Children with permanent, significant disabilities and high support needs will remain NDIS-eligible.
• Parents of children already on the NDIS before Jan 2028 will not automatically lose their plans; existing eligibility criteria will apply.
• Advocates are calling for guarantees of equivalent or improved support, genuine co-design, and ready community services under Thriving Kids.
• Parents should gather strong evidence of their child's needs and consider NDIS application before 2028 if their child meets high support criteria.