Thriving Kids set to begin in Canberra amid waiting-list fears

The ACT's Education Minister and Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Minister announced the beginning of the Thriving Kids program in the ACT. ( ABC News: Callum Flinn )

The ACT has announced the first phase of Thriving Kids, a program aimed at helping children under nine experiencing developmental delay get access to support.

Those on the NDIS before 2028 will stay on it, subject to usual reassessment criteria, but critics say those who are diverted to Thriving Kids may face longer waits for diagnosis and care.

Thriving Kids starts on October 1 and is expected to be fully implemented by January 2028.

The ACT government says children under the age of nine will not yet be removed from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as it begins to roll out the Thriving Kids program.

A federal government initiative, Thriving Kids was announced as a way to better support children experiencing developmental delays.

Today, ACT Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Minister Suzanne Orr announced Thriving Kids would begin to operate in the ACT from October 1, ahead of its official start date in January 2028.

All states and territories have opted in except for Queensland, but there are concerns it could mean some children will lose vital support.

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