The federal government cannot yet quantify how many children will enter the new Thriving Kids program, conceding unmet need across poorer communities.
The federal government has acknowledged it does not yet know how many children will use the Thriving Kids program, which is designed to support children with low to moderate needs outside the NDIS.
Speaking to reporters, Health Minister Mark Butler said the cohort would broadly reflect the number of children under nine with low to moderate developmental needs, while also capturing children who currently receive no support.
“We think that there’s probably unmet need in the community,” Butler said, adding the scale could not yet be precisely quantified.
He said cost barriers to obtaining formal diagnoses had likely excluded some children, particularly in lower-income communities.
“There are parts of the community that don’t have the money it takes to go to a paediatrician to get a formal diagnosis,” he said.
Until 1 January 2028, when Thriving Kids is expected to be fully operational, children with developmental delay or autism will still be able to access the NDIS.
Of the Commonwealth’s $2bn commitment, $1.4bn will be provided directly to states and territories to deliver services, with the remaining funding allocated to program monitoring and evaluation.
Butler said the new model would not increase the burden on parents when accessing support for their children.
