The NDIS is continuing to evolve, and for many families across Australia, the biggest concern is simple:
“Will my child lose support?”
Recent announcements surrounding the new Thriving Kids program and broader NDIS foundational support reforms have created uncertainty for families navigating autism, developmental delay, and early intervention pathways.
For many parents, the fear is not just about funding. It is about stability, routine, and maintaining trusted supports that their child has built relationships with over time.
As the sector changes, understanding what these reforms mean will become increasingly important for participants, families, support workers, and providers alike.
What Is the Thriving Kids Program?
The Thriving Kids initiative forms part of broader government reforms aimed at reshaping how early childhood supports are delivered in Australia.
The focus is on:
- children with developmental concerns
- early intervention pathways
- foundational supports outside the NDIS
- improving access to community-based assistance
- reducing pressure on the long-term sustainability of the NDIS
The reforms are expected to impact many children under the age of 9, particularly those accessing supports related to developmental delay and autism.
The government has stated that the goal is to create earlier and more accessible support systems for families without requiring every child to enter the NDIS.
Why Is Government Introducing These Changes?
The NDIS has grown significantly over recent years, with increasing participant numbers and rising costs placing pressure on the scheme.
The government has indicated that the reforms aim to:
- improve long-term sustainability of the NDIS
- deliver support earlier to children and families
- strengthen community and mainstream support systems
- reduce delays in accessing help
- ensure the NDIS remains available for people with the highest support needs
There is also a broader push across the sector toward increased accountability, compliance, and structured service delivery.
Why Families Are Concerned
While the reforms are intended to improve the system, many families remain concerned about how the changes will be implemented in practice.
Common concerns include:
- uncertainty around eligibility changes
- fear of losing existing supports
- confusion regarding foundational supports
- concerns about reassessments
- disruptions to therapy and early intervention services
- uncertainty about future funding pathways
- concerns about continuity of trusted support workers and providers
For many families, consistency is critical.
Children often build strong relationships with support workers, therapists, and routines over long periods of time. Sudden changes or disruptions can create significant stress for both participants and their families.
What Are Foundational Supports?
One of the biggest discussions surrounding the reforms is the introduction of foundational supports.
These are expected to include supports delivered outside the traditional NDIS framework through community, education, health, and early childhood systems.
The goal is to provide earlier access to support without requiring every child to become an NDIS participant.
However, many details are still evolving, and families across Australia are seeking greater clarity around:
- what supports will be included
- who will be eligible
- how services will be delivered
- whether current participants will transition
- how continuity of support will be protected
What This Could Mean Moving Forward
The NDIS sector is clearly moving toward:
- stronger compliance expectations
- more structured service delivery
- increased oversight
- greater accountability across providers and workers
At the same time, families are increasingly prioritising stability, trust, and continuity of care.
As reforms continue to unfold, providers and platforms that can maintain structured, compliant, and participant-focused support systems will become increasingly important.
How Remonta Can Help
At Remonta, we understand that consistency matters, especially for children and families navigating uncertainty.
Our focus remains on helping participants and families maintain continuity of support while ensuring services remain structured, compliant, and participant-focused.
We continue to support families by:
- helping match participants with trusted support workers
- maintaining continuity wherever possible
- supporting structured and accountable service delivery
- assisting families through periods of sector change
- prioritising communication, transparency, and stability
The NDIS may be evolving, but families should not feel abandoned during that change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will children lose NDIS funding under the Thriving Kids reforms?
The reforms are still evolving, and many implementation details are yet to be finalised. Some supports may transition toward foundational support pathways outside the traditional NDIS system.
What are foundational supports?
Foundational supports are expected to be community-based and early intervention supports designed to assist children and families without requiring full NDIS access.
Will autism still qualify for the NDIS?
Eligibility processes may evolve over time, but autism itself has not been removed from the NDIS. Future assessments are expected to place greater emphasis on functional impact and support needs.
Can families keep their current support workers?
This may depend on future compliance and registration requirements. Many families are actively seeking ways to maintain continuity of trusted supports during the reforms.
Why are these changes happening?
The government has stated the reforms aim to improve long-term sustainability of the NDIS while providing earlier and broader support pathways for children and families.