NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention: How the Early Childhood Approach Works and What Thriving Kids Changes

How the early childhood approach works today

Children younger than 9 do not go through the standard NDIS access process on their own. They are supported by the early childhood approach, delivered by early childhood partners - organisations the NDIA contracts in each region, staffed by early childhood professionals such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists and early childhood teachers. This replaced what was called Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI); many families and clinicians still use the old name.

The approach has three parts:

1. Information and connection. Any family with a concern about a child's development can contact an early childhood partner, with or without a diagnosis. The partner helps you understand what you are seeing and connects you with mainstream services - child health, playgroups, kindergarten support.
2. Early supports. For children who need it, the partner provides or arranges short-term early supports directly, without an NDIS plan. This can include a few sessions of therapy, parent coaching, or group programs.
3. Access to the NDIS. If a child has a developmental delay or disability that meets the early intervention requirements, the partner helps the family apply for an NDIS plan and then supports the planning process.

Who qualifies for an NDIS plan as a child

Under the early intervention pathway a child younger than 6 can qualify with a developmental delay: a delay in physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional development, or adaptive skills, that is likely to be long-term and results in substantially reduced functioning in daily activities, with a need for a combination of specialised services. A child of any age can qualify with a permanent impairment where early intervention is likely to reduce future support needs.

Autism is the most common diagnosis among children entering the scheme. Under current rules, autism at level 2 or 3 (DSM-5) is on the NDIA's List A and usually meets the requirements on diagnosis; level 1 needs evidence of functional impact. That distinction is exactly where the Thriving Kids reform lands.

What an NDIS plan funds for a young child

• Therapy - speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, often delivered through a key-worker model where one therapist coordinates and coaches the family
• Early childhood intervention programs - group and individual programs building communication, play and social skills
• Assistive technology - communication devices, mobility equipment, sensory supports
• Support in early education settings - working with childcare and kindergarten staff
• Behaviour support where needed, through a registered behaviour support practitioner

Therapy for children is billed at the profession's price limit - $193.99 an hour for occupational therapy and speech pathology, $252.99 for psychology under the 2026-27 arrangements - so a plan of $15,000 to $25,000 typically buys around 80 to 120 hours of therapy a year. Providers delivering early childhood supports are listed in the early childhood supports directory.

Thriving Kids: what is changing

In August 2025 the Commonwealth announced Thriving Kids as the first phase of "foundational supports" - a new system of disability supports outside individual NDIS packages, funded jointly with the states under a National Agreement on Foundational Supports capped at $10 billion over five years. The key facts as at August 2026:

• Who it is for: children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs, and their families.
• What it provides: early identification of developmental concerns, and a national system of supports delivered through mainstream settings such as maternal and child health, childcare, playgroups and primary schools, rather than through individual plans.
• Start date: the first state services are scheduled from 1 October 2026, scaling progressively to full rollout by 1 January 2028. The government stated in August 2026 that the October start is on track.
• The eligibility change: from 1 January 2028, children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate needs will no longer be eligible for individual NDIS plans. Children with permanent and significant disability, or with substantially reduced functional capacity (high support needs), remain eligible.

What it means for your child right now

If your child is already an NDIS participant: nothing changes today. Their plan continues and they are reassessed under the current criteria until 1 January 2028. From that date, children turning 9 are reassessed under the new functional capacity framework. The NDIA has confirmed that no formal change to children's access criteria has been made yet, although families are reporting tighter plan reviews.

If you are applying now: the current early intervention requirements still apply and you can still get a plan. A plan approved in 2026 or 2027 runs its course. Focus your evidence on functional impact - what the delay stops your child doing - because that is the test both now and under the 2028 framework.

If your child has mild needs and is not yet in the scheme: you may find early childhood partners increasingly steer toward early supports and mainstream services rather than a plan, in anticipation of Thriving Kids. That is not necessarily worse; short-term early supports start faster than a plan does. Ask directly what the partner can provide without a plan.

Practical steps

1. Raise concerns with your GP or child health nurse and ask for a developmental assessment referral. Waitlists for paediatric and autism assessments run to many months in most cities, so start early.
2. Contact your early childhood partner at the same time. Search the NDIS website for your postcode or call 1800 800 110. You do not need a diagnosis to start.
3. Keep a simple record of your child's development, what you have tried and what you have been told. It becomes your evidence.
4. If a plan is approved, choose a plan manager so you can use both registered and unregistered therapists, and ask about a key-worker approach.

Find registered early childhood support providers and therapy providers by state and suburb in the AusCareGuide directory.

Price limits on this page are from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits published by the NDIA and are current as at August 2026. Limits are usually updated each 1 July, and the NDIA can change them mid-year. Always check the current document on ndis.gov.au before relying on a figure. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.