Thriving Kids and your child's therapy: what to expect

If your child has speech pathology, occupational therapy or psychology through the NDIS, it can continue. Thriving Kids has not changed who can access the NDIS, and there will be no change to access or eligibility before 1 January 2028.^[] The one change already affecting therapy budgets is separate from Thriving Kids. From 1 October 2026, improved daily living budgets are being reduced by 10% as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, and as plans are renewed from 1 February 2027.^[]

Your child's current therapy can continue

Therapies such as speech therapy and occupational therapy can be funded from the improved daily living category of a child's capacity building budget.^[] Nothing in Thriving Kids stops a child using those supports.

Children aged 8 and under who are on the NDIS before 1 January 2028 continue to be reassessed under the rules in place before that date, until they turn 9.^[] Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS.^[]

What has changed in NDIS therapy budgets

Three changes from the NDIS reforms affect how far therapy funding goes.

A few details about the reset matter:^[]

• It reduces the budget available. It doesn't cut every session by 10%. If you weren't using your whole budget, the change to the therapy your child actually gets may be small.
• You can't request a review of the reset itself. A reduction on its own doesn't count as a significant change that would justify a new plan reassessment.
• It doesn't apply to new framework plans, which participants start moving to from 1 April 2027.

What Thriving Kids says it will include

Thriving Kids targeted supports are meant for children and families who need more than information and family programs. The government lists:^[]

• allied health, such as speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology
• low-cost assistive technology, such as communication aids and sensory tools
• more intensive capacity building support for families who need extra help.

States and territories will deliver these supports, one-on-one or in groups, and in person or online.^[] The NDIS launch announcement also lists physiotherapy and social workers.^[]

Timing is the main thing to know. The first phase, from 1 October 2026, is mostly information, advice and parenting supports. Raising Children Network says allied health services are expected during 2027, with all supports in place by 1 January 2028.^[] Researchers writing at launch noted that targeted supports will need some form of assessment to access.^[]

As of October 2026, governments haven't published:

• how many therapy sessions a child could get
• whether families will pay anything
• which providers will deliver services in each state
• whether a child could keep seeing their current therapist.

Talking with your child's therapists

Your therapists can't predict policy, but they can help you plan. Questions worth asking:

1. Which goals are we working on, and how are we measuring progress?
2. Can you give us a written progress report before our plan reassessment or renewal?
3. Given the budget change, how many sessions would you suggest for the rest of this plan?
4. What should we practise at home so progress keeps going between sessions?
5. If our funding drops, which goals would you prioritise?
6. Do you know what Thriving Kids services are planned in our state?

The NDIS expects providers to give families a report about the support they provided and the child's progress.^[] Asking for one is a normal request.

Keep goals and progress records

Good records help at every plan meeting and any future eligibility check. Keep these in one folder, digital or paper:

• your child's current plan and its goals
• every therapy report and assessment, with dates
• home practice sheets or strategies from each therapist
• notes from childcare, kindy or school about how your child is going
• your own short notes on changes you've seen at home, such as new words or a calmer morning routine.

Reports from treating professionals help the NDIS understand your child's strengths and support needs.^[] Ask your therapists to describe what your child can now do in daily life, not only test scores.

Making the most of the budget you have

• Don't stop therapy to save money. From 1 February 2027 unspent funds won't roll over, so pausing therapy won't leave extra funding for later.^[]
• Spread sessions across the plan. Ask your therapist for a session plan that fits the whole period.
• Use home strategies. Everyday practice adds to what happens in sessions. Help your child talk at home and what occupational therapy does for children have ideas.
• Check your plan details. Our first NDIS plan checklist shows where therapy funding sits, and changing providers covers switching if you need to.

When to get more help

If your child's needs change in a significant and ongoing way, you can ask the NDIA for a plan change.^[] If something in a new plan doesn't make sense, contact your my NDIS contact or early childhood partner.

If your child sees a psychologist for anxiety, low mood or self-harm, don't let funding questions delay help. In an emergency call 000. Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Lifeline (13 11 14) are there for urgent support, and your GP can help with next steps.

For the bigger picture, see what Thriving Kids is and how to prepare for your child's plan check-in or reassessment.

If you'd like to talk through online speech, OT or psychology for a plan-managed or self-managed plan, you can send Hey Sprout an enquiry.