19/01/2026
The Thriving Kids Inquiry Report dropped just before Christmas, adding it to the growing pile of poorly (yet strategically) timed launch of information that will have a huge impact on this sector and people with disabilities. Oddly titled, "No child left behind," the report goes on to outline the many ways that children with developmental delays will be left behind.
The Report notes several recommendations and evidence over the course of its 200-pages, so we've broken it down into the main points that we're concerned about.
Funding Plan
The report recommends and points to:
- Expansion of NDIS Early Connections Program run by NDIS Early Childhood - Partners, likely directly supplying navigators and key workers.
- A Hub and Spoke Model through block funding models utilising existing large scale providers such as the Royal Flying Doctors Services and Royal Far West. The initial focus being on assessing children, then developing a plan for handover.
- Expansion and investment into parenting and group programs such as Triple P Parenting, Tresillian, Aspect etc. to be provided digitally.
- Developmental Assessment Medicare item Numbers for GP's and Allied Health.
First Nations and Rural/Remote Families and Kids Specific Impact
- The Hub and Spoke Model will see the replacement of presently delivered 1:1, individualised supports in favour of a consultative model driven by an out of area professional (the Hub). The 'Hub' will likely complete in-person appointments periodically, but largely defer to local supports in the form of schools, preschools, and and group programs (the Spokes). This model was rejected and replaced by the NDIS because it does not work.
- Cutting individualised therapy supports for First Nations children and their family will have a significant impact on the Closing the Gap targets. Targets that Australia is already largely failing to achieve.
So who wins?
❌Large scale NGO's and NFP's
❌One-size-fits-all Group Program Designers (Inklings, Triple P etc.).
❌Government - State and Federal
Who is losing out?
❌Disabled children and their families, especially First Nations, CALD, and ❌Rural/Remote families.
❌Small and medium providers
What's the real outcome?
👎🏻Job losses across the sector
👎🏻Siloed therapy and group programs that don't address individual needs
👎🏻Loss of choice and control over supports
👎🏻More business closures and financial pressure
👎🏻A generation of child who will absolutely be 'left behind', despite the title of this Report.
Like many reports supplied by the Government over the past 2 years, the Report fails to provide an appropriate model that priorities child and family access, choice, and safety. It focuses on rolling back the overall spend, and 'streamlining' services.
With hundreds of thousands of providers in the sector, it's unreasonable to expect that Hub and Spoke model of care and 'group therapy' is going to have space for everyone. And for those of you who are allied health, State-based Health Systems are already struggling with funding and this entire model is tied directly to state-base hospital funding.
The Government will allow the sector to collapse. They have done it before. They will do it again.
What will be your line in the sand?
