The Carroll Labor Government is delivering for Victorian families of children with developmental delay and autism.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced the first Thriving Kids supports for children aged eight and under, with additional supports to be introduced over time.
Thriving Kids will help children build on their strengths, gain independence and develop the skills they need for life while giving families trusted advice and support close to home.
Supports commencing from October include:
- Practical information and guidance to help families understand available supports and next steps
- Increased access to the Advocating for Children with Disability (ACD) Support Line
- More publicly funded autism assessments
- More places in the Strengthening Parent Support program
- More training for early years educators to strengthen inclusion and help identify developmental concerns earlier, supporting the workforce and implementation of Thriving Kids.
These supports will help more families access practical advice and assistance earlier, while building a stronger, more connected system of support across Victoria.
From January 2027, Thriving Kids will start delivering targeted allied health and support services to help children build everyday skills and independence - and help families understand how to support their child's development.
This new time-limited support will be available to children who need it through 6 initial delivery sites in Bendigo, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Loddon, Maribyrnong and Melton before expanding to all areas of the state throughout 2027.
Starting in the initial delivery sites, Victorian families will also have access to two new developmental checks - one as each child starts kinder, and one as they start school.
Victoria is taking a State led and coordinated approach to delivering these supports, with the Department of Education leading the delivery of targeted supports and development checks, as well as managing triaging and intake.
In some cases, delivery of targeted allied health will be supported by community partner organisations where this best meets the needs of the community.
Developmental checks will be undertaken by allied health professionals and trained clinicians, and mean children and families can be connected with the right supports sooner - so kids are set up for success at kinder and school.
There will be no changes to how children with developmental delay or autism access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.
More information is available at vic.gov.au/thriving-kids.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"These initial supports will lay the foundation for the full complement of Thriving Kids services to be delivered across Victoria from 2028."
"Through Thriving Kids, we're introducing two new developmental checks, so that children and families can access support earlier, when it can make the biggest difference."
