Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports (2026): Practical Guide for Parents

Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports are becoming one of the most searched topics among parents and carers as the 2026 reforms get closer. With so much information circulating about the Thriving Kids Program and early intervention changes, it can be hard to know what these supports will actually look like in practice. In this guide, we’ll explore examples of NDIS foundational supports and how they may look in everyday family life.

As an occupational therapist working within the NDIS space, I understand that many parents and carers are still trying to make sense of these changes and what they could mean for their child’s development and future access to support.

In this article, I’ll share realistic examples of NDIS foundational supports and what they might look like for families, based on the information and recommendations available so far.

If you’re new to this topic, it may help to start with this quick overview first:
👉 What Are NDIS Foundational Supports?

This post is all about examples of NDIS foundational supports.

Quick Refresher: What Are NDIS Foundational Supports?

Examples of NDIS foundational supports will likely involve community-based and early intervention services that help children and families access support earlier, before everyday challenges turn into bigger barriers.

These supports form part of the government’s 2026 early intervention reforms, introduced to fill the gap between mainstream services and the NDIS. They focus on building essential developmental skills, supporting inclusion, and empowering parents and carers through practical coaching and education. These initiatives provide some of the clearest examples of NDIS foundational supports, showing how community-based help can make an early difference for families.

You can think of these examples of NDIS foundational supports as small but meaningful stepping stones. Each one provides timely, family-centred help that strengthens a child’s confidence, independence, and participation in daily life.

Why Real Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports Matter

When the government first announced foundational supports, many parents and carers were left with more questions than answers. The idea is promising, and some broad types of supports have been outlined in policy documents, but clear and practical examples of NDIS foundational supports and what they will look like in communities are still missing.

Current information suggests that foundational supports may include access to information and advice, peer or parent support groups, capacity-building programs, and short-term early intervention for children who are not eligible for the NDIS. These are early indicators of what future examples of NDIS foundational supports may look like as the national rollout takes shape. While this gives a general direction, it has left families unsure about how and when these services will become available.

That’s why sharing real examples of NDIS foundational supports is so important. Examples help families understand what these reforms could mean in everyday life. They also help ease some of the worry being felt across the disability community, which has grown from the uncertainty surrounding the announcements. Parents and carers want to know what to expect and how to prepare, and clear examples can bring much-needed reassurance while we wait for more detailed government guidance.

For a clearer overview of how these changes fit within the broader reform, you can read:
👉 NDIS Thriving Kids Program (2025–2026): What We Know So Far
👉 What are NDIS Foundational Supports: A Simple Guide for Parents

Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports for Children and Families

Below are seven practical examples of NDIS foundational supports that show what early, community-based help could look like for families.

Please note: The examples of NDIS foundational supports below are illustrative and based on early reform proposals and NDIS Review recommendations. They are not confirmed services, but help to imagine what foundational supports could look like in practice.

The best way to understand foundational supports is to picture what they might look like in everyday life. If you’d like a deeper explanation of what they are and how they fit into the 2026 reforms, you can read What are NDIS Foundational Supports: A Simple Guide for Parents. The following examples of NDIS foundational supports reflect the kinds of services you might see under the new system. These supports are designed to be community-based, practical, and focused on helping children thrive before challenges grow bigger.

They describe the kinds of support that could be available, drawing on policy documents such as the NDIS Review’s foundational supports fact sheet and public reform proposals.

Below are seven examples of NDIS Foundational Supports that reflect how early intervention could be delivered:

1. Early Therapy Access

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Short-term programs with an occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or psychologist, provided through local community hubs or early childhood centres.

How it helps:
Early access to therapy could give you the opportunity to seek help at the first signs of developmental delay, rather than waiting for a diagnosis and NDIS plan. These sessions may focus on skills such as play, communication, emotional regulation, and daily self-care routines.

Therapists might offer simple, practical strategies you can start using straight away at home or during daily routines. Even a small amount of early support can make a meaningful difference, helping your child gain confidence and build stronger foundations for learning and participation. These therapy blocks are great examples of NDIS foundational supports, giving families the chance to access early help before challenges escalate.

2. Parent Coaching and Family Education

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Workshops or one-to-one sessions where therapists may guide parents and carers on how to support their child’s development through play, daily routines, and positive communication.

How it helps:
In my opinion, parent coaching is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s progress. Real progress doesn’t usually come from the one-hour therapy sessions alone. It comes from what you do every day at home, kindy or school, and out in the community. When you understand why your child behaves, reacts, or learns in certain ways, you can respond with the right strategies at the right time.

Therapists can help you recognise your child’s strengths, notice early signs of difficulty, and use everyday moments as learning opportunities. Over time, these consistent moments of support are what lead to the biggest leaps in your child’s development and participation. Parent coaching helps you feel supported, confident, and empowered to make a meaningful difference in your child’s progress. Coaching programs like these are practical examples of NDIS foundational supports that strengthen family confidence and daily participation.

3. Community-Based Group Programs

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Playgroups or community sessions that might be led by early childhood educators or allied health professionals, focusing on early skill-building through play and everyday activities.

How it helps:
These kinds of groups can make a big difference for you and your child. Through play, your child has the chance to practise things like taking turns, sharing, following instructions, and joining in with others, all while having fun. You might notice them trying new things or interacting in ways you haven’t seen before, which can be really encouraging.

It’s also a lovely way for you to connect with other parents and carers who understand what you’re going through. Having a space to talk, swap ideas, and celebrate little wins can help you feel supported and more confident about your child’s progress. These inclusive playgroups are clear examples of NDIS foundational supports, helping children practise social and emotional skills in a natural environment.

4. Kindy and School Inclusion Programs

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Guidance and training for teachers to adapt classroom activities, materials, or environments to better meet individual needs.

How it helps:
Inclusive practices in kindy and school can make such a difference to your child’s confidence and learning. When teachers understand how to make small changes, like adjusting activities or supporting sensory needs, it could help your child feel much more comfortable and part of the group.

These kinds of supports also help you and the educators work together toward the same goals. When everyone understands your child’s needs and what helps them succeed, school can become a more positive and enjoyable place for your child. Inclusion initiatives like this are strong examples of NDIS foundational supports, helping children feel confident and supported in learning environments.

5. Developmental Screening and Referral Hubs

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Access to community hubs that may offer developmental checks, basic screening tools, and advice on where to access local services.

How it helps:
Community hubs like this could make it easier for you to notice early signs that your child might need a little extra support. Getting advice early can take a lot of pressure off. It means you can start with small, simple steps instead of waiting until things become more difficult.

It also helps to know where to go next. When you have clear information and someone to guide you, it’s easier to feel confident about what to do and how to get the right support for your child.

6. Peer and Family Connection Programs

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Access to local parent groups or online communities that connects families who are on similar journeys.

How it helps:
Sometimes one of the best things about joining a parent group is simply being around people who get it. It can feel such a relief to talk with others who understand what life looks like for you and your child. Swapping stories, sharing ideas, or even just chatting about the hard days can make things feel a little lighter. You start to realise you’re not on your own, and that support really does make a difference. That sense of community can be just as valuable as the therapy itself.

7. Information and Resource Access

Examples of NDIS foundational supports:
Access to webinars, workshops, or online resources that help you understand your child’s development and give you ideas to support them at home and in the community.

How it helps:
Having the right information at the right time makes all the difference. It gives you a clearer picture of what’s going on for your child and helps you feel more confident about what to do next.

There’s so much information floating around online that it can get confusing. When you can turn to trusted, professional advice, it takes away a lot of the guesswork. You feel more supported, less overwhelmed, and better prepared to help your child grow in ways that fit your family and routines.

Real-Life Example: How Foundational Supports Might Work

Before looking at what foundational supports could look like in everyday life, it’s important to remember that the exact details are still being developed. The government has not yet confirmed how these supports will be funded or delivered.

The stories below are based on current recommendations and what we hope the system will offer once it’s in place. They’re designed to help you picture how foundational supports might work in real life. The idea is to create flexible, community-based options that families can access early, giving children the right help at the right time and supporting parents and carers to feel confident in their child’s development.

Meet Noah (age 5)
Noah’s kindy teacher mentioned that he often finds it hard to sit during group time and needs extra help following instructions. At home, his parents notice similar challenges. Getting ready for kindy can be stressful because Noah becomes distracted easily, has trouble staying on task, and often resists parts of his morning routine like getting dressed or brushing his teeth. By the time they leave the house, everyone feels exhausted.

Unsure where to start, Noah’s parents visit a local early intervention hub that offers foundational supports.

They take part in a short block of occupational therapy sessions, where the therapist helps them understand how Noah’s sensory and attention needs might be affecting his behaviour. Together, they come up with practical strategies such as using a visual schedule, giving short, simple instructions, and building in movement breaks before sitting tasks.

Noah’s parents also attend a parent coaching session where they learn how to set up predictable routines, use calm, consistent language, and support emotional regulation during difficult moments. Over the next few months, there are still tricky days, but they start noticing small wins. Noah starts following more steps on his own and recovers more easily when things don’t go to plan.

When new challenges arise later in the year, Noah’s parents return to the hub for another check-in. They talk through what’s been working, adjust a few strategies, and connect with a local playgroup where Noah can practise listening, sharing, and joining in with other children, with support.

This story shows how examples of NDIS foundational supports could give families early, practical help and ongoing guidance as children grow and their needs change. It highlights that progress takes time, and that families can return for support whenever they need extra help.

Meet Ella (age 3)
Ella’s parents have started to notice that she doesn’t use as many words as other children her age and sometimes becomes upset in noisy or busy environments. She prefers to play alone and often covers her ears when the vacuum cleaner or blender is turned on. Her parents aren’t sure if this is something she will grow out of or if she might need some extra help.

They visit their local community hub after hearing that it offers early supports for children showing signs of developmental delay.

At the hub, they meet with a speech pathologist and an occupational therapist who complete some simple play-based observations. Together, they talk about ways to encourage communication at home through everyday moments, like mealtimes and play. The therapists also suggest small adjustments to help with sensory sensitivities, such as giving Ella quiet breaks, using soft lighting, and gradually introducing new sounds through play.

Ella’s parents join a parent coaching group where they learn how to recognise her cues, model short words, and create opportunities for her to communicate through gestures and play. They also join a local playgroup supported by an educator and speech pathologist, giving Ella a chance to practise social and language skills in a supported, familiar setting.

Over the following months, Ella begins to use a few more words and gestures to express her needs. She still finds noisy environments difficult, but her parents now understand why and feel more confident supporting her. When new challenges arise, they know they can return to the hub for more guidance or join another block of sessions when needed.

This story shows how examples of NDIS foundational supports could give families practical tools, reassurance, and flexible access to early help. The focus is on steady progress and empowering parents and carers with knowledge and confidence to support their child’s development every day.

Every Child’s Journey is Unique
Every child develops in their own way, and there’s no single approach that works for everyone. Some children might need extra support with routines, focus, or emotional regulation, while others may benefit more from help with communication, social connection, or sensory needs.

It’s also important to remember that these stories are simply examples of what foundational supports might look like in the future. As more programs are trialled, we’ll continue to see new examples of NDIS foundational supports that bridge the gap between early help and the formal NDIS. The final details around how these supports will be funded and delivered are still being developed. What’s clear, though, is that the aim is to create flexible, community-based options that families can access when they need extra guidance, without having to wait for a full NDIS plan.

If things unfold the way we hope, you’ll have access to support that feels more connected, consistent, and centred around your child’s needs. And for many families, that would make a world of difference.

How Foundational Supports Fit Within the NDIS System

One of the biggest questions parents and carers have right now is how foundational supports will fit alongside the NDIS. While both aim to help children with developmental needs, they serve slightly different purposes and reach families in different ways.

The key difference is that foundational supports do not require a diagnosis. They are designed to give families access to early help and practical strategies without having to go through the full NDIS application process. In comparison, the NDIS provides long-term, individualised funding for people with significant and permanent disabilities.

You can think of foundational supports as an early layer of assistance. They offer flexible, community-based help that gives children and families the right support at the right time. To understand how these examples of NDIS foundational supports compare with traditional NDIS plans, see the table below.

Here’s a simple comparison to help you see how foundational supports and NDIS plans differ:

Foundational Supports	NDIS
Short-term, early help focused on early skill-building and inclusion	Long-term, individualised funding for ongoing support
Delivered through community hubs, early childhood partners, or local providers	Delivered through NDIS providers and formal plans
Focus on early intervention, inclusion, and family coaching	Focus on ongoing therapy, equipment, and high-level supports
Simple and flexible access without the need for a diagnosis	Formal application and planning process required

Both systems are expected to work together to make sure children can access the right level of support when they need it most. For some families, foundational supports might be the first step before moving into an NDIS plan. For others, it may be all that is needed to help their child develop confidence, independence, and everyday skills.

I know many parents and carers are feeling unsure about what these changes might mean for their child, especially while so many details are still being finalised. Foundational supports are being developed to fill the gaps and help families access early help without long waits or complicated processes, but it’s understandable to have questions about how this will work in practice.

Even though there is still a lot we don’t know, I truly hope these changes lead to a system that feels more connected, consistent, and easier for families to navigate. Families deserve support that feels accessible, personal, and focused on helping them reach their potential. My hope is that this new direction will create more opportunities for children to get the help they need when they need it most, and that every family feels supported along the way.

From an Occupational Therapy Perspective

From an OT perspective, I see this as a positive step because it focuses on giving families real skills and understanding, not just therapy sessions.

When families are supported to understand their child’s needs and feel capable in using practical strategies at home, kindy, or school, progress tends to happen more naturally. It is often the small, consistent supports within daily routines that make the biggest difference over time.

Early intervention is about understanding your child, finding what works best for them, and celebrating the small wins along the way. These everyday strategies represent real-life examples of NDIS foundational supports, showing how early help can be woven into family routines. These moments create a strong foundation for learning, social connection, and independence as they grow.

What’s Next for Foundational Supports in 2025–2026

Over the next year, more information will become available about how foundational supports will be delivered across Australia. This includes details such as program names, eligibility criteria, and referral pathways, which are expected to be shared throughout 2025 and 2026.

While there is still uncertainty, the continued focus on early help and inclusion gives families reason to feel hopeful about the direction things are heading. If implemented well, these changes could make early support more consistent and easier to access for children and families who need it.

As soon as new information is released, this post will be updated to include clear, practical examples of NDIS foundational supports so you always have the most accurate and useful information available. As the rollout continues, new pilot programs will offer clearer, on-the-ground examples of NDIS foundational supports for parents, carers, and professionals to learn from.

Final Thoughts

I know there’s still a lot we don’t know about how foundational supports will look in practice, but I hope this post has helped you picture how examples of NDIS foundational supports could work and what they might mean for families. My hope is that as the system takes shape, it truly focuses on what matters most, which is early help, inclusion, and real support for children, parents and carers.

Thank you for taking the time to read and learn more about these changes. It shows how deeply you care about understanding what’s ahead and how best to support your child as things evolve.

Read Next

• What Are NDIS Foundational Supports?
• NDIS Thriving Kids Program (2025–2026): What We Know So Far + How to Prepare
• NDIS Thriving Kids Eligibility Explained

FAQ’s: Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports