More than 1,000 people with disability, families, carers, and sector professionals have raised serious concerns about the federal government’s proposed “Thriving Kids” initiative. The changes, announced in August 2025, could see children who  have developmental delay, or what the Government describes as “mild or moderate autism”, moved offthe NDIS to mainstream supports. Our community says the plan is unclear, unfair – and risks taking us backwards.

In September, Every Australian Counts ran a national survey to capture your views. The response was overwhelming. What we heard was clear: families fear losing life-changing supports, providers fear for their future, and people with disability feel shut out of decisions that directly affect their lives.

Who Took Part?

• 612 respondents were family members or carers
• 389 were people with disability
• 315 were health or allied professionals
• 92 were disability advocates or support workers

This mix represents a broad cross-section of the NDIS community – people who live, breathe and depend on the Scheme every day.

Key Findings and Concerns

At a Glance

• 70% say the government’s plan is unclear
• 75% fear loss of choice and control
• 80% worry about reduced access to supports
• Only 18% support the “Thriving Kids” proposal
• 86% say people with disability and families must be involved in co-design

1. Reduced Access to Supports and Therapies

• 814 people said losing choice and control was their biggest concern
• 676 raised funding caps or budget limits
• 589 flagged eligibility changes for children as a major worry

This was by far the strongest theme in responses: people are scared that children will lose life-changing supports and therapies. Around 80% of respondents shared fears that if current, individualised supports are lost, children could fall behind – or fall through the cracks entirely.

2. Loss of Choice and Control

Around 75% expressed deep concern about a shift towards block funding or centralised services, which they say strips families of the ability to choose what works best for their child.

3. Lack of Clarity and Poor Communication

70% of survey respondents said they don’t understand the government’s plans for the NDIS. Half of all respondents said the plans were “not clear at all”.

4. “Thriving Kids” Raises Red Flags

• 36% said the new program may reduce access to necessary supports
• 22% don’t think it’s the right approach
• Only 18% support the idea as it stands

People are uncertain, sceptical and anxious about what “Thriving Kids” will mean in practice.

Lived Experience Speaks Loud and Clear

1. Reduced Access to Supports and Therapies

Families spoke about losing the supports that help their children progress, go to school, and stay well. The risk of regression, isolation and long-term harm was a recurring concern.

“Without the NDIS and the therapy and support that my child is receiving now, I am terrified for his future… Taking this away would mean he is left to fall through the cracks, and that thought breaks me.”

“Our therapies help us with everyday life… Without these supports I’m worried children will fall behind. I’m worried they won’t get the support they all deserve.”

2. Loss of Choice and Control

Respondents stressed that individualised support is critical – and that returning to one-size-fits-all systems would be a huge step backwards.

“Moving to a block funding model removes choice and control… Parents need to be able to match providers to their child’s needs – not be forced into one program.”

“Choice and control is fundamental to disability rights… This risks the most vulnerable kids and families being unable to afford the supports they need.”

3. Poor Communication and Lack of Trust

Respondents described a lack of detail and direction, creating confusion and fear.

“We have no clarity on alternative supports… Our community has not been involved in this decision.”

“There’s definitely a fatigue factor… Nothing is clear.”

4. Criticism of “Mild/Moderate” Labels

The language used by Government around children with disability was widely criticised.

“Calling autism mild or moderate is highly inappropriate… These outdated terms are not used by clinicians and don’t reflect lived experience.”

“An autistic person’s capacity fluctuates. Less access to therapy now increases costs later – financially, socially, and emotionally.”

5. Block Funding and Fears of Regression

Many warned that block funding won’t meet the needs of kids with complex or changing needs.

“Going back to large organisations and one-size-fits-all models removes choice and control. It’s not safe, not tailored, and not fair.”

6. Lack of Co-Design and Real Consultation

Families and providers feel excluded from decision-making and demand to be involved.

“Nothing about us without us… People with disability and families should always be consulted.”

“Thriving Kids could only work if designed by autistic people to meet autistic needs.”

7. Workforce and Provider Pressure

Providers and professionals raised urgent concerns about workforce shortages and the sustainability of small businesses.

“Highly experienced professionals are being forced out… The system is collapsing in rural areas.”

“How will the government ensure the existing highly experienced workforce is used effectively?”

8. Mental Health and Burnout

Many carers and parents described increased stress, burnout and mental health struggles.

“It’s added significant distress to people already under pressure… These changes are making me and my kids feel like a burden.”

“The emotional toll is unbearable… I live in constant fear that supports will be removed.”

9. Concerns About Programs and Transparency

Respondents flagged transparency issues, lack of clear plans, and doubts about government intentions.

“Unclear who will go to Thriving Kids, how it will be decided, or what it will actually provide.”

“It feels like another cut dressed up as reform – without the evidence, without consultation.”

What Matters Most to the Community

Survey respondents overwhelmingly said people with disability and families must be at the centre of any future reforms. 86% said full involvement in co-design is “extremely important”.

You want EAC to keep fighting for:

• Choice and control – 78% (842 respondents)
• Preventing cuts to essential supports 76% (828 respondents)
• Fairness and transparency 61% (664 respondents)

Conclusion

The evidence from our September 2025 survey is overwhelming: families, people with disability, and providers do not support Thriving Kids in its current form. Instead of creating clarity and security, the reforms have generated fear, confusion, and a sense of exclusion from decision-making.

The message from the community is consistent. Thriving Kids must not replace or undermine the NDIS, nor strip away the rights, choice, and control that children and families have fought hard to secure. Any reform must be grounded in co-design, human rights, and evidence. It must build on – not duplicate or compete with – commitments already made under the National Autism Strategy and the NDIS Act.

If the Government proceeds without genuine partnership, transparent communication, and investment in inclusive supports, children will regress, families will burn out, and Australia will risk breaching its obligations under the CRPD and CRC. But if reforms are co-designed and grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based practice, they can provide a lasting foundation that supports children to thrive in families, schools, and communities.

Every Australian Counts urges the Committee to recommend reforms that protect existing rights, invest in equity, strengthen the workforce, and guarantee continuity of support. Above all, we ask that the voices of disabled people and their families remain at the centre of all decisions. Only then will the vision of “Thriving Kids” become a reality.

Recommendations

Based on the evidence from our September 2025 community survey, Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and commitments already made under the National Autism Strategy 2025–2031 and its First Action Plan 2025–2026, Every Australian Counts recommends:

1. No cuts to the NDIS or changes to eligibility. All children with significant and permanent disability must retain their right to individualised supports under the NDIS until foundational supports are fully operational, independently evaluated, and shown to meet need. Any reduction in eligibility before this point would breach Australia’s obligations under the CRPD and contradict the intent of the NAS.
2. Co-design of all reforms. Legislate safeguards for genuine co-design with people with disability and families, consistent with CRPD Article 4.3 and the co-design principles embedded in the NAS.
3. Build on, not duplicate, the National Autism Strategy. Align Thriving Kids with the NAS, ensuring government investment strengthens rather than fragments commitments such as pre/post diagnosis resources, workforce development, and culturally safe services.
4. Protect choice and control. Reject block funding and centralised service allocation. Uphold families’ ability to choose providers, consistent with the intent of the NDIS.
5. Adopt neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based practice. Reject behavioural-focused programs that have not been led, co-designed with or supported by the community. Invest instead in co-designed and co-developed, neuro-affirming, trauma-informed supports, led by and for disabled people.
6. Invest in equity. Co-design services with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, supported by bilingual staff and culturally safe practice, consistent with NAS priority cohort actions.
7. Strengthen the workforce. Develop a national workforce strategy aligned with NAS actions – including incentives for rural and regional practice, paid placements, and funding for key worker roles. Protect small and independent providers from destabilisation by block funding.
8. Guarantee continuity across systems. Ensure seamless transition pathways between early childhood, education, and health systems, aligned with NAS actions on whole-of-life planning.
9. Frame children as an investment, not a burden. Fund early, individualised supports that reduce long-term costs and promote participation, rather than treating autistic children as “too expensive.”