Parents of children with a disability are increasingly panicked about the rollout of NDIS replacement Thriving Kids program
A major disability support group says parents are raising “major red flags” about the rollout of Thriving Kids, Labor’s cost-saving plan to shift many young children off the NDIS.
Worried, scared, confused ... many parents and carers of children with a disability are dreading the rollout of the Albanese government’s Thriving Kids program.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the initial $2bn program hopes to “secure the future” of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), amid government forecasts that the scheme will blow out to $64bn a year by 2029.
But a survey of over 1500 families caring for children likely to be affected by Thriving Kids have expressed their concern with the proposed rollout and fear children could “fall through the cracks”.
Thriving Kids was announced by Mr Butler on August 20 as he detailed the “unsustainable” growth of the NDIS.
The program will provide support to children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism, with the aim of ultimately moving them off the NDIS. It will commence from July 1, 2026.
Children with permanent and significant disability will continue to be supported through the NDIS.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) conducted the survey of 1535 families and caregivers of children and young people with a disability, including the children themselves.
More than 60 per cent of respondents were caring for a child aged nine or under.
Overall, 79 per cent of respondents felt that 12 months was not enough time to launch Thriving Kids.
Many respondents reported they were worried (76 per cent), scared (51 per cent), and confused (51 per cent) by the proposal.
Examples of responses shared highlighted the anguish and stress of families already dealing with disability.
“For a single parent who is struggling to care for her autistic children this has put huge anxiety on top of an already stressful situation,” one respondent said.
“I have one child on the verge of needing out-of-home care, which is heartbreaking for us all and shouldn’t happen with the correct supports. (Our) children’s future is at stake.”
Another respondent reported they were “outraged, sickened, furious and heartbroken”.
CYDA chief executive Skye Kakoschke-Moore said the findings were very concerning.
“It is a major red flag when a vast majority of people who will be impacted tell you your reform timetable is unrealistic and that it could cause real harm,” Ms Kakoschke-Moore said.
“We have long called for alternative supports, but they need to be effective, properly co-designed with our community, and fully functional before they can replace the NDIS.
“Such significant reform cannot be achieved in under a year without risking children falling through the cracks and losing access to essential, life-changing supports completely.”
Mr Butler reassured parents he was committed to getting “the design of Thriving Kids right”.
“I want to reassure parents that I’m absolutely determined to build a system that supports them supporting their kids to thrive,” Mr Butler said.
“Unfortunately, the NDIS has been the only port in the storm for parents.
“All of those systems we had for years or decades to support parents whose kids weren’t hitting milestones were largely deconstructed, and all the money was put into the NDIS.
“We want to get the design of Thriving Kids right.
“That’s why the government has engaged Australia’s pre-eminent pediatrician and childhood development expert, Professor Frank Oberklaid AM, to co-chair the Thriving Kids Advisory Group alongside the Health Minister.”
Concerned about the rollout of Thriving Kids and its impact on your family? Email us confidentially at education@news.com.au
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Originally published as Parents of children with a disability are increasingly panicked about the rollout of NDIS replacement Thriving Kids program
