A new child-development program is rolling out outside the NDIS. Here's what's actually confirmed, what isn't yet, the Queensland situation — and a copy-paste consult note template for Best Practice / Medical Director.
⚠️ What hasn't been published yet: there is no confirmed GP referral form, no "Medicare Child Development Plan," and no MBS item for referring into Thriving Kids. The RACGP has asked for a clear referral pathway for general practice but nothing has been legislated for this. Right now, families can access the universal supports below directly — a GP referral is not required for those.
🚩 Queensland: as of 1 October 2026, Queensland was the only state or territory that had not signed the Thriving Kids bilateral agreement (reported by UNSW Newsroom, ABC News and others — see sources above). It is unclear whether Queensland will develop its own targeted, allied-health-delivered services under the program. The Australian Government says the rollout isn't being delayed because of this. The national universal supports (Autism Helpline, Raising Children Network hub) apply to Queensland families regardless. This is actively changing — check health.gov.au/thrivingkids for the current position before telling a family what's available locally.
1 Oct 2026First universal supports start nationally: the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline, the Raising Children Network information & resource hub, and supported playgroups for under-5s. No GP referral needed for these.
1 Nov 2026Medicare Healthy Kids Check (3-year-old health assessment) planned to start — billed with existing items 701–707 / 224–227. See the dedicated Healthy Kids Check guide for billing detail.
From 2027States and territories progressively roll out targeted, allied-health-delivered supports (speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy) — timing and access process not yet published per jurisdiction.
1 Jan 2028Planned full national rollout; NDIS access arrangements for children aged 8 and under with low-to-moderate needs are due to change. Nothing changes for current NDIS participants before this date.
Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs. No diagnosis is required. Children with permanent and significant disability, or high support needs, remain eligible for the NDIS under the usual arrangements — nothing changes for them now.
Point families to the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline — 1300 654 789 (delivered by Amaze, Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, National Relay Service accessible) for autism-specific information and links to services.
Point families to the Raising Children Network (raisingchildren.net.au), which delivers the national Thriving Kids information and resource hub.
Book the Medicare Healthy Kids Check from 1 November 2026 if the child is turning 3 — see the dedicated guide for the exact items and required components.
Continue existing pathways (standard referral to paediatrics, allied health, or the NDIS) unchanged — nothing about current pathways is switched off by Thriving Kids starting.
Document the discussion for your own records and continuity of care — use the template below.
All details stay on your device only — nothing is sent anywhere. This generates a documentation note, not a referral letter or clinical recommendation.
Paste into your progress notes. Review and edit before saving — this is a starting point, not a finished clinical note, and documents the discussion only (no clinical recommendation).
Frequently asked questions
Is a GP referral required to access Thriving Kids?
No formal referral pathway has been published as of October 2026. The universal supports that started 1 October 2026 — the Autism Helpline and Raising Children Network hub — are accessible directly by families, without a GP referral.
The RACGP has publicly called for GPs to get a clear referral pathway into Thriving Kids, and has welcomed a proposed Medicare-funded three-year-old health and development check — but no "Medicare Child Development Plan" or equivalent GP-referral item has been confirmed.
Does a child need a diagnosis?
No. Per the Dept of Health fact sheet, a diagnosis is not required. Eligibility is based on being aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs.
Is Queensland participating?
As of 1 October 2026, Queensland was the only state or territory that had not signed the Thriving Kids bilateral agreement, per UNSW Newsroom and several news outlets. The federal government said national rollout wasn't being delayed by this. Whether Queensland builds its own targeted services isn't yet published — the national Autism Helpline and Raising Children Network hub apply to Queensland families regardless of this.
Does anything change for my current NDIS patients?
Not yet. NDIS access changes for children aged 8 and under with low-to-moderate needs are planned for 1 January 2028, not before. Children already on the NDIS continue under current arrangements until then. Children with permanent and significant disability, or high support needs, stay eligible for the NDIS under the usual criteria.
Where can I send patients for the most current information?
health.gov.au/thrivingkids is the official page. For autism-specific queries, the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline (1300 654 789, Mon–Fri 8am–7pm) is delivered by Amaze. For general child development information, the Raising Children Network (raisingchildren.net.au) hosts the national hub.