Media Release - Thriving Kids program just days away but families none the wiser - 29 September 2026

29 September 2026

Thriving Kids program just days away but families none the wiser

The Albanese Labor Government’s Thriving Kids Program will start on 1 October 2026, but families have little information on what this means for them and the supports their children rely on.

Shadow Minister for the NDIS, Melissa McIntosh MP, said Minister Butler announced the Thriving Kids Program more than a year ago but very little seems to have moved since then.

“Just days away from the official commencement date of the Thriving Kids Program on October 1, families across the country have no information about what this means for the supports their children rely on.

“Some states and territories still have grant applications open for organisations to deliver services, so not a single service is in place for families from 1 October.

“The commencement of Thriving Kids coincides with other significant changes to NDIS packages, including the 50 per cent reduction to funding for social, community and participation supports.

“People with Disability and their families are all questioning what life on the other side of 1 October looks like for them. The Albanese Labor Government have absolutely botched the implementation of these changes. Communication with participants was always going to be key and there has been radio silence from the Government on all of it.

“My office is still getting calls and emails from people who have already been receiving significant cuts to their NDIS plans – even before these changes have started. Some of these cuts are to their essential daily living supports which provide life saving supports for people with significant and permanent disabilities.

“The Coalition supported reducing NDIS expenditure, but we will never support reductions that risk people’s lives.

“Minister Butler promised not a single person would fall between two stools with these reforms, well they are and it’s about time the Albanese Labor Government started doing their job and caring about people with disability”.