Families across Australia understandably went into panic mode after the Government’s announcement about the Thriving Kids Program. Once this program comes into effect, children labelled as having “mild” developmental delay or Autism will no longer be eligible for NDIS support. Families are rightly asking: mild compared to what, and decided by who?
Before we go any further, it’s important to say this clearly: right now, autism and developmental delays remain eligible for the NDIS, and children already on the NDIS are not being automatically removed.
These are the most common questions we have seen throughout the Kindship community:
- Will my child be kicked off the NDIS when Thriving Kids starts?
- Does this mean we won’t get any help at all?
- I’m barely coping now with NDIS support — what happens when that changes?
This article is here to do two things:
- Clear up what we actually know about Thriving Kids right now
- Explain, in plain English, the evidence the NDIS actually needs to see when you’re applying for NDIS access for a child with autism — noting that, right now, autism and developmental delays remain eligible for NDIS support.
It’s also important to be clear that even once Thriving Kids comes into effect, children with autism will still be eligible to become NDIS participants. What appears likely to change is the threshold of functional impact, not the existence of the disability itself.
Things will continue to evolve — we know that — but this reflects the current reality as it stands today.
What Thriving Kids Means (Right Now)
At this stage, whatever changes Thriving Kids bring to NDIS eligibility, it will only apply to new participants.
If your child already has NDIS funding, they will not be automatically removed from the scheme when Thriving Kids begins.
What is important to understand is how your child met access:
- Disability access requirements, or
- Early intervention access requirements
Knowing this information is really important. If your child has not met the disability requirements and are currently receiving NDIS funding, it is highly likely they will undergo a re-eligiblity assessment when they turn 6. Your NDIS contact (Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner) can let you know this information. We also break this down clearly in our Decoding the NDIS Webinar.
It’s also worth remembering: Thriving Kids is still largely a policy promise, not a fully operational system. Children and adults with autism and developmental delays can still access the NDIS. The Government has also stated that children with complex disabilities will continue to have a place within the NDIS.
The One Thing the NDIS Cares About Most: Functional Impact
This is where many families get stuck — not because they don’t have evidence, but because they don’t know how to translate daily life into NDIS language.
Whilst diagnosis is an important part of the NDIS eligibility, what they really want to know is how autism makes everyday life harder for your child compared to other children their age.
The NDIS wants to understand how your child manages things like:
- Playing
- Eating
- Dressing
- Communicating
- Learning
- Leaving the house
- Staying safe
This is why families are often confused, a diagnosis alone is not enough.
When Do You Apply for NDIS Access for Autism?
There are 3 different scenarios when you would apply for access to the NDIS when your child has a diagnosis of autism.
- Brand new participant — your child has never received NDIS funding
- Diagnosis during early intervention — your child accessed NDIS under early intervention and later received an autism diagnosis
- Eligibility reassessment — the NDIS is reviewing whether your child continues to meet NDIS access requirements
While these situations feel very different emotionally, the evidence required is essentially the same.
You’re Not Expected to Do This Alone
The NDIA funds community partners (often called NDIS contacts) specifically to help families gather and submit access evidence.
They can:
- Explain what evidence is missing
- Help you request reports
- Submit information correctly to the NDIA
You can find your local partner through the NDIS website, click here.
Diagnosis: What the NDIS Actually Needs to See
The NDIA requires more than just a letter saying “your child has autism.”
Your diagnosing professional (paediatrician, medical specialist, psychiatrist) must clearly state:
- That the disability is permanent (not curable), and
- How the disability makes it harder to do everyday things.
They must explain how autism affects one or more of the specific life areas below:
Mobility / Motor Skills
How your child moves, plays, dresses, feeds themselves, runs, walks, or gets in and out of bed.
Communication
How your child communicates their needs, especially if they are non-speaking or use alternative communication methods.
Social Interaction
Ability to interact safely with peers, understand boundaries, manage stranger danger and participate in school or community settings.
Learning
Whether your child can learn new skills at an age-expected level without significant support.
Self-Care
Ability to manage personal safety, hygiene (wash and dress themselves), eating and basic daily tasks.
Self-Management
Planning their day, regulating emotions, dressing appropriately for the weather, managing routines and transitioning between activities.
Risk Without Support
The NDIA also wants to understand what could happen if your child does not receive funded support.
The NDIS is an insurance scheme — it invests early to reduce long-term costs. Clearly explaining this risk is critical.
Strengthening Your Application: Evidence That Really Helps
Once the diagnosis covers permanence and functional impact, you can strengthen your application with additional evidence (if available).
Great examples include:
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Lived experience statements from parents and carers
- 24-hour task breakdowns showing what support your child needs across a full day
- Reports from everyone involved in your child’s life — therapists, educators, childcare, schools
Autism presents differently in every child. This is your opportunity to clearly show what life looks like for your child and your family.
This is one of the areas families find most confusing. We break it down in plain English in the evidence section of our Plan Reassessment webinar, using real-life examples rather than policy language. You may also find this Evidence Checklist helpful.
After You Submit: What Happens Next?
Once your access request is submitted, the hardest part begins; waiting.
If your child already has NDIS funding, it’s business as usual during this time.
Even if access is approved, it can still take months before a plan is issued. While you’re waiting, families often rely on a combination of:
- GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (Medicare rebates for up to five allied health sessions per year)
- Private health insurance (check your policy)
Things to Check with Your Insurer
Every insurer and policy is different. Even if your plan includes allied health, you need to check:
- Is this service covered?
Not all allied health services are included in every extras cover policy. - Are there limits?
There may be:- A maximum dollar amount per service
- An annual limit for each type of service
- A combined limit across different services
- Do I need a referral?
Some insurers require a GP referral or other paperwork before you can claim. - Is my therapist recognised by my insurer?
Your provider usually must be registered with the insurer or a relevant professional body. - Is there a waiting period?
Some services have a waiting period after you start or upgrade your cover.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
If reading this has left you feeling overwhelmed, unsure whether your evidence is “enough”, or worried about what comes next — that’s completely understandable.
This system is hard, and families are being asked to make sense of big decisions during already stressful seasons.
Our Family Support Pathways sessions are designed to help you:
- understand what the NDIS is actually looking for
- work out what evidence you already have (and what you don’t need to chase)
- talk through your child’s situation with someone who understands both the system and real family life
There’s no pressure and no expectation that you come prepared — just a chance to talk it through with a human.
👉 Book a free Family Support Pathway session here
