The Government has announced plans to divert Autistic children from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to a new program called ‘Thriving Kids’.
Costs for the NDIS are projected to grow by more than 10% year-on-year, as the Government tries to make the scheme more financially “sustainable”.
Autistic children who are currently on the NDIS won’t be affected.
Here’s what you need to know.
NDIS
The NDIS provides access to support and services for Australians with permanent and significant disability.
It offers access to community services, such as specialists, and assistance for necessary support, such as vehicle modifications.
The program is used by 740,000 Australians.
It cost more than $46 billion in the year to June 2025.
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition diagnosed through developmental assessments and behavioural observations.
In 2024/25, 38% of NDIS participants listed autism as their primary disability.
“Children with mild to moderate levels of developmental delay and autism should not, in my view, be on a scheme set up for permanent disability,” NDIS Minister Mark Butler told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
“It is not the right fit,” he added.
New program
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
A new program called ‘Thriving Kids’ will be rolled out, designed to tailor support to Autistic children.
It will be co-funded by the Federal and State governments, beginning with an initial $2 billion in federal funding.
Butler said the scheme will be modelled on existing professional supports in places like schools and early childhood centres for children with developmental issues.
He wants the scheme to begin in July 2026.
Cost
The cost of the NDIS is projected to grow by more than 10% over the next year.
The Government is trying to limit annual growth to 8%, and Butler said it would need to lower further to between 4 and 5% a year in the future.
He said the new autism program will help “get growth down... to a more sustainable position.”
‘Thriving Kids’ is part of an overall push towards “foundational supports”, a system to transition from NDIS-centric support to state and territory services.
Coalition
Shadow NDIS Minister and Assistant Minister Anne Ruston and Phil Thompson issued a joint statement calling for more detail on the ‘Thriving Kids’ program.
“Australians deserve certainty, not more headlines,” the pair said.
“There is still no agreement with the States and Territories on vital NDIS reforms in relation to foundational
supports.”
The Coalition said it supports reforms to make the NDIS more sustainable.
