Thriving Kids – Information for families

What Thriving Kids means for your child

Thriving Kids supports will be:

• child and family-centred
• focused on strengths and neuro-affirming
• evidence-based
• culturally appropriate
• mostly available in everyday places, like at home or in the community
• flexible and inclusive.

What Thriving Kids means for parents and carers

Thriving Kids aims to build your knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting your child’s development.

Thriving Kids will support families to:

• learn about child development and identify concerns earlier
• further build their confidence and skills in supporting their child’s development
• find and connect with the right support.

Depending on your child’s needs, goals and your family circumstances, support may include:

• parenting support
• peer support
• local community programs
• allied health including via group sessions.

Thriving Kids will be rolled out progressively, with all supports and services available across Victoria by January 2028.

In Victoria, we are introducing two new developmental checks for all children - one as children start kinder, and one before school. These checks will be undertaken by allied health professionals and trained clinicians.

This will help ensure any developmental delay is picked up early, and that all children and families can get the support they need for success at kinder and at school.

Victoria will also deliver a range of targeted allied health and other support services through Thriving Kids.

These time-limited allied health supports will help children build everyday skills and independence.

They will also help families understand how to best support their child’s development with professional and peer supports.

This page will be updated as services and supports roll out.

Where to find support now

NDIS support continues

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to support children with disability and developmental delay.

There are no changes to how people access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.

If your child has an NDIS plan now, it will continue unless a planned reassessment changes it.

Parents and carers can continue to apply for NDIS access for their children.

If you require support or have concerns regarding your child’s development, you can speak with a Maternal and Child Health nurse by calling the MCH Line on 13 22 29 or your general practitioner.

For more information visit:

• Children | vic.gov.au 
• Parent Portal | Service Victoria
• Support for children at school: Disability and inclusive education
• Support for younger children: Children with additional needs in early childhood

Thriving Kids supports available from 1 October 2026

ACD – Advocating for Children with Disability support line

ACD support line

This is a free telephone information and self-advocacy support service for Victorian families and carers raising children with developmental delay and disability.

The service can:

• listen to your questions and concerns about issues relating to your child’s developmental delay or disability
• help you understand what you can expect from childcare, school, or other services
• talk through your options and what steps might suit your family
• connect you with a wide range of resources and information
• provide information about Thriving Kids and how it works alongside other supports for your child

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Interpreters are available.

Call the ACD Support Line on 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional).

Strengthening Parent Support Program

Strengthening Parent Support Program(opens in a new window)

This program is for parents who have a child:

• with a disability or developmental delay
• aged 0–18 years.

It helps parents connect with other families and the local community.

Support includes:

• facilitator-led support groups
• peer-led support groups
• parenting education sessions
• information sessions
• individual support.

Autism assessments

Thriving Kids Victoria is funding additional autism assessments through the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC).

These assessments are intended to support low-income families, First Nations families and families living in areas with limited services.

Speak to your GP or Maternal and Child Health Care Nurse about your options or contact OTARC directly at otarc@latrobe.edu.au.

More support is coming

Thriving Kids will be rolled out progressively, with all supports and services available across Victoria by January 2028.

Allied health support and developmental checks

Victoria will also deliver a range of targeted allied health and other support services through Thriving Kids from 2027 as part of a staged roll out.

The first 6 sites offering allied health supports will be located at Bendigo, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Loddon, Maribyrnong and Melton. They will open from January 2027.

This time-limited allied health support to children and their families will help children build everyday skills and independence. It will also help families understand how to support their child’s development.

It will also help families understand how to support their child’s development. If, and how often your child receives allied health support and for how long will depend on their needs.

Starting in the initial delivery sites, Victorian families will also have access to two new developmental checks – one as each child starts kinder, and one as they start school.

Developmental checks will be undertaken by allied health professionals and trained clinicians, and mean children and families can be connected with the right supports sooner – so kids are set up for success at kinder and school.

More information about the roll out of allied health supports will be available soon.