Thriving Kids WA vs NDIS

Understanding the Differences Between Thriving Kids WA and the NDIS

Families across Western Australia are starting to hear more about Thriving Kids WA and how it may relate to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

At Belong Health, we understand that changes to support systems and funding pathways can feel confusing and overwhelming for families.
Many parents are asking:

Will Thriving Kids replace the NDIS?
Will my child still qualify for NDIS supports?
Can my child access support without a diagnosis?
What supports will be available through Thriving Kids?
What happens if my child has higher support needs?

This page provides general information about the current direction of Thriving Kids WA and how it may differ from the NDIS.
As the system is still evolving, details may continue to change over time.

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What Is Thriving Kids WA?
Thriving Kids WA is Western Australia’s early childhood supports program connected to the new national Foundational Supports model.

The program is expected to support children aged 0-8 years who:

Have developmental differences or developmental delays
Are autistic
Have emerging support needs
May benefit from early supports and developmental services
Require low-to-moderate levels of support

Thriving Kids WA is expected to focus on:

Early support and intervention
Family-centred approaches
Parent and caregiver capacity building
Participation in everyday environments
Accessible supports without unnecessary barriers
Supporting children where they live, learn, and play

Supports may be delivered in:

Homes
Schools and childcare environments
Community settings
Clinics
Telehealth environments

What Is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national funding system that provides individualised disability-related supports for eligible people with permanent and significant disability.

For children, NDIS supports may include:

Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Psychology
Positive Behaviour Support
Assistive technology
Capacity-building supports
Functional assessments
Early intervention supports

Children who access the NDIS generally need to meet eligibility criteria related to disability and functional impact.

Will Thriving Kids WA Replace the NDIS?

Current information suggests that Thriving Kids WA and the NDIS are expected to work alongside each other rather than one completely replacing the other.

The current direction suggests:

Some children with low-to-moderate support needs may access supports through Thriving Kids WA instead of individualised NDIS plans.
Children with higher support needs or significantly reduced functional capacity are still expected to remain eligible for NDIS supports.
Families may access developmental supports earlier and more flexibly through Thriving Kids.

The system is still evolving, and eligibility pathways may continue to change over time.

At Belong Health, we encourage families to seek up-to-date information and professional guidance when navigating support systems.

Thriving Kids WA

Early childhood developmental support system

Expected to support children aged 0–8 years

Focus on early supports and participation

May provide supports without formal diagnosis

Expected to support low-to-moderate support needs

Likely to include parent coaching and developmental guidance

Focus on everyday environments and family-centred supports

NDIS

National disability funding scheme

Supports children and adults who meet eligibility criteria

Focus on disability-related supports

Eligibility usually requires evidence of disability and functional impact

Supports people with more significant and ongoing support needs

Individualised funding plans for eligible participants

Funding linked to reasonable and necessary supports

Can Children Access Supports Without a Diagnosis?

One of the major discussions around Thriving Kids WA is improving access to support for children before formal diagnosis.
Many families notice developmental differences or support needs before:

Receiving specialist assessments
Accessing paediatricians
Receiving formal diagnoses
Entering longer support pathways

Children may benefit from support related to:

Communication and language
Emotional regulation
Sensory processing
Attention and concentration
Play and social interaction
Daily routines and independence
School readiness
Participation in everyday environments

At Belong Health, we recognise that families often need support, guidance, and practical strategies while navigating assessments and waitlists.

What Supports May Be Available Through Thriving Kids WA?

While the final model is still developing, the current direction suggests supports may include:

Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Parent coaching
Developmental guidance
Emotional regulation support
Communication support
School readiness programs
Behaviour support strategies
Group programs
Telehealth supports
Family support and navigation

The focus appears to be on building participation, confidence, developmental skills, and family capacity across everyday life.

What If My Child Has Higher Support Needs?

Children with higher support needs, significant functional impact, or more complex disability-related support requirements may still be eligible for NDIS supports.

This may include children who require:

Ongoing multidisciplinary supports
Significant daily living support
Intensive behavioural or communication support
Assistive technology
Complex functional supports
Long-term disability-related interventions

Every child’s situation is different, and eligibility decisions are based on individual circumstances.

How Belong Health Supports Families

Belong Health supports children and families across Western Australia through:

Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Psychology assessments
Counselling and emotional wellbeing supports
Positive Behaviour Support
Parent coaching
School readiness supports
Telehealth services
Developmental support services

We support families navigating:

Developmental concerns
Autism pathways
ADHD pathways
School transitions
Emotional regulation support needs
Communication differences
Sensory processing differences
Functional participation challenges
NDIS pathways and developmental supports

Our approach is collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and family-centred.

Parent Coaching and Family Guidance

Parent and caregiver support is expected to become an increasingly important part of early childhood support systems.

Belong Health provides practical coaching and guidance to help families support children across everyday routines and environments.
Parent coaching may include:

Emotional regulation strategies
Sensory support ideas
Communication strategies
Behaviour support guidance
Daily routine support
School transition strategies
Home-based developmental activities
Practical participation strategies

Our goal is to work alongside families to build confidence, understanding, and sustainable everyday supports.

Learn More About Parent Coaching

Telehealth Supports Across WA

Belong Health provides telehealth developmental supports across Western Australia, including regional and remote communities.
Telehealth may support:

Parent coaching
Developmental guidance
Behaviour support strategies
Communication support
Emotional regulation support
School consultation
Flexible access to allied health supports

Telehealth can help families access supports earlier and more flexibly regardless of location.

Learn more about Telehealth Developmental Support

Supporting Families Through Change

Changes to support systems can feel uncertain for families.

At Belong Health, our goal is to provide practical guidance, collaborative support, and family-centred services that help children participate meaningfully across home, school, and community life.

Whether your child has a diagnosis, is awaiting assessment, or you are simply exploring developmental supports, our team is here to support your family.

Contact Belong Health

To learn more about developmental supports, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Psychology assessments, Counselling, Positive Behaviour Support, parent coaching, telehealth services, or school readiness supports, contact Belong Health today.

We support children and families across Perth, Mandurah, regional WA, and throughout Western Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions - Thriving Kids vs NDIS

What is the Thriving Kids WA program?
Thriving Kids WA is Western Australia’s early childhood supports program connected to the national Foundational Supports model. It is expected to support children aged 0-8 years who may benefit from developmental supports.

How does Thriving Kids WA work?
Thriving Kids WA is expected to provide earlier and more accessible developmental supports for children and families across Western Australia. Supports may include allied health services, parent coaching, developmental guidance, emotional regulation support, and school readiness supports.

What is the difference between Thriving Kids WA and the NDIS?
Thriving Kids WA is expected to focus on early developmental supports for children aged 0-8 years with low-to-moderate support needs, while the NDIS is designed for people with more significant and ongoing disability-related support needs.

Will Thriving Kids WA replace the NDIS?
Current information suggests Thriving Kids WA and the NDIS are expected to work alongside each other rather than one completely replacing the other.

What age group is Thriving Kids WA for?
Thriving Kids WA is expected to support children aged 0-8 years.

Can autistic children still access supports through the NDIS?
Current information suggests some autistic children with higher support needs or significant functional impact may remain eligible for NDIS supports. Eligibility decisions are based on individual circumstances and functional impact.

Does my child need a diagnosis to access support?
Not always. Many children benefit from developmental support based on functional needs, developmental differences, or participation challenges, even before a formal diagnosis.

Can children access developmental support before diagnosis?
Yes. Many children benefit from developmental support before receiving a formal diagnosis, particularly where there are concerns related to communication, emotional regulation, sensory processing, participation, or development.

What types of supports may be available through Thriving Kids WA?
Supports may include Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, parent coaching, emotional regulation support, Positive Behaviour Support approaches, developmental guidance, school readiness supports, and telehealth services.

Can supports be provided at school or childcare?
Yes. Supports may be delivered within home, school, childcare, clinic, community, or telehealth environments depending on the child’s goals and support needs.

Does Belong Health provide telehealth services?
Yes. Belong Health provides telehealth services across Western Australia.

Will families in regional WA be able to access supports?
The direction of Thriving Kids WA includes improving access to developmental supports across regional and remote Western Australia. Belong Health also provides telehealth and flexible developmental supports across WA.

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