NDIS Early Childhood Approach: Early Intervention Providers in Australia
The NDIS early childhood approach is how children younger than 9 with developmental delay or disability, and their families, get support. Families contact an early childhood partner, an organisation the NDIA funds in each region, who provides information, short-term early supports and, where a child meets the criteria, help to apply for an NDIS plan. It replaced what was called ECEI.
Once a child has a plan, the therapy and supports are delivered by early childhood providers: speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and early intervention programs that work with young children and coach their parents. The {count} providers below deliver early childhood supports across every state and territory.
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Early Childhood Supports providers
Who is eligible: developmental delay, disability and the age rules
A child younger than 6 can enter the NDIS with a developmental delay: a delay in physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional development, or adaptive skills, that is likely to be long-term, substantially reduces functioning in daily activities, and needs a combination of specialised services. No diagnosis is required. A child of any age can enter with a permanent impairment where early intervention is likely to reduce future support needs.
So a 4-year-old can get NDIS funding, and many do. Autism is the most common diagnosis among children entering; level 2 or 3 autism usually meets the requirements on diagnosis, while level 1 needs evidence of functional impact. ADHD on its own is not on the NDIA's lists and is assessed on functional impact; children with ADHD alongside another impairment are more often successful.
What happens when you contact an early childhood partner
The partner meets you and your child, usually at home, a playgroup or their office, and talks through your concerns. From there, three things can happen: information and connection to mainstream services such as child health, playgroups and kindergarten inclusion support; short-term early supports delivered by the partner's own therapists without an NDIS plan; or help to make an access request where the child meets the early intervention requirements.
Bring what you have: reports from a paediatrician, speech pathologist, psychologist or child health nurse, your Blue Book or equivalent, and notes on what your child finds hard day to day. You do not need a diagnosis to start, and waiting for a paediatric assessment (often many months) is not a reason to delay the call.
Early childhood partner vs early childhood provider
The partner is the NDIA-funded front door: free, one per region, and responsible for the early supports and access process. Providers are the organisations and therapists you choose with plan funding. Some partners also operate as providers, and in that case they must tell you and offer you a choice.
Most young children's plans use a key worker model: one therapist coordinates the team, works with the child in natural settings (home, childcare, kinder) and coaches parents to carry the strategies into daily routines, with other disciplines brought in as needed. Ask any provider whether they work that way and how often the key worker sees the family.
Thriving Kids: what changes from 1 October 2026
Thriving Kids is a new Commonwealth and state program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. The first services start on 1 October 2026 and full rollout is scheduled for 1 January 2028, delivered through mainstream settings such as maternal and child health, childcare and schools rather than individual plans.
From 1 January 2028, children in that group will no longer be eligible for individual NDIS plans; children with high support needs remain eligible, and children already in the NDIS keep their eligibility until then and are reassessed under new criteria as they turn 9. In the meantime the current early childhood approach applies unchanged, and a plan approved in 2026 or 2027 runs its course.
Guides to NDIS Early Childhood Approach
- Early childhood early intervention explainedHow the approach works today and what Thriving Kids changes
- NDIS eligibility and evidenceThe early intervention requirements and what evidence works
- NDIS changes in 2026The reform timeline for families of young children
- Working in early childhoodThe qualification behind inclusion support and early intervention roles
Frequently asked questions
What is NDIS early childhood support?
The early childhood approach is how the NDIS supports children younger than 9 with developmental delay or disability. Families contact an early childhood partner, who provides information, short-term early supports without a plan, and help to apply for NDIS funding where a child meets the early intervention requirements. It replaced the older ECEI program.
Who is eligible for NDIS early childhood intervention?
Children younger than 6 with a developmental delay that is likely to be long-term and substantially reduces daily functioning, and children of any age with a permanent impairment where early intervention is likely to reduce future support needs. No diagnosis is needed for a developmental delay.
Can a 4-year-old get NDIS?
Yes. Children younger than 6 can enter the NDIS under the early intervention requirements with a developmental delay, without a formal diagnosis, and children with a diagnosed permanent impairment such as autism can enter at any age. Contact your early childhood partner to start.
Can you get NDIS early intervention for ADHD?
ADHD alone is not on the NDIA's lists of conditions that automatically meet the requirements, so it is assessed on functional impact. Children with ADHD alongside another impairment, or whose ADHD substantially reduces their daily functioning, can qualify with strong evidence. Early supports from an early childhood partner are available regardless.
What is no longer funded by the NDIS for children?
Since October 2024 funding can only be spent on items on the NDIS supports list, which excludes mainstream health, education and general parenting programs. From 1 January 2028, children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate needs will be supported through Thriving Kids rather than individual plans; children with high support needs remain eligible.
How do I find an early childhood partner?
Search for your postcode on the NDIS website or call 1800 800 110. Partners are funded by the NDIA and free to contact; you do not need a referral or a diagnosis. The providers on this page deliver therapy and early intervention once a child has a plan.