What Are NDIS Foundational Supports? A Simple Guide for Parents

If you’ve been hearing about the new NDIS foundational supports and feeling a little unsure about what it all means, you’re not alone. The 2026 NDIS changes are bringing big updates for families, especially with the introduction of the Thriving Kids Program.

As an occupational therapist, I know how overwhelming these announcements can feel, especially when the information has been limited and the details are still being finalised. Many parents I speak to are worried their child might lose the support they currently receive through the NDIS. That fear is completely understandable. It’s unsettling when big changes are announced without clear guidance about what happens next.

My goal with this post isn’t to minimise those feelings, but to help you see a clearer picture of what’s being proposed. I want to share what we know so far about NDIS foundational supports, how they’ll fit within the new system, and how they might actually open up more flexible and earlier options for families as we move through this transition together.

This post is all about helping you understand what NDIS foundational supports really mean and how they might make early support easier for families.

What Are NDIS Foundational Supports?

At their core, NDIS foundational supports are early and community-based services that help children and families get the right kind of support sooner.

They’re designed for children who might need a little extra help with development, learning, or behaviour but don’t necessarily need a full NDIS plan. Think of them as stepping stones that build strong foundations for confidence, independence, and participation in everyday life.

These supports aim to make early help simple and accessible without long waiting lists or complicated applications.

How the Thriving Kids Program Fits In

The Thriving Kids Program is one part of the new NDIS foundational supports system. It’s designed for children aged under nine who need some extra developmental support, whether they already have a diagnosis (such as autism or developmental delay) or are showing early signs that extra help could make a difference.

Learn more about the new NDIS Thriving Kids Program and how it fits within the NDIS foundational supports system to promote early intervention.

While the NDIS provides individualised funding for children with significant and ongoing needs, Thriving Kids will focus on short-term and early intervention support that helps children with mild to moderate support needs build skills and confidence before challenges become barriers.

The program is expected to include:

• Access to allied health supports such as OT, speech, or psychology
• Parent coaching and family workshops
• Community-based therapy programs

The goal is simple: children shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis or NDIS plan to get the support they need to thrive.

Read next: NDIS Thriving Kids Program (2025–2026): What We Know So Far + How to Prepare – a practical guide for parents navigating the upcoming changes.

Examples of NDIS Foundational Supports for Children

Because the term foundational supports can sound quite abstract, it helps to see what this might look like in real life. These supports are designed to make early help simple, practical, and accessible, meeting children where they already are, in their everyday environments.

Here are a few examples of what NDIS foundational supports might look like for families:

Type of Support	Example	How It Helps
Early therapy access	Short-term OT or speech sessions at local community hubs	Builds early skills in communication, play, and independence
Parent coaching	Workshops or one-to-one sessions with therapists	Helps parents use practical strategies at home
Play-based social groups	Small groups run by OTs or educators	Encourages turn-taking, regulation, and social confidence
Kindy inclusion programs	Support for teachers and educators	Helps children succeed in familiar environments
Community screening hubs	Drop-in services for early developmental checks	Makes it easier to access early advice and referral

Rather than replacing the NDIS, these services complement it. These services will aim to fill the gap between mainstream supports and the NDIS, giving families practical options right when they need them most. Some children may later transition into NDIS funding if their needs are ongoing, while others may build enough skills through these early supports that they no longer need ongoing assistance.

How NDIS Foundational Supports Help Child Development (OT Perspective)

From an occupational therapy perspective, the new NDIS foundational supports have enormous potential to improve developmental outcomes, particularly for children showing early signs of delay or emerging challenges.

They’re based on principles we use every day in occupational therapy practice, such as:

1. Early intervention – providing support during the early years when children’s brains are growing rapidly and learning new skills.
2. Family-centred practice – working alongside parents and carers as equal partners in supporting their child’s development.
3. Participation and everyday skill-building – focusing on play, routines, and real-life activities that help children build confidence and independence in their everyday environments.

These supports might target:

• Fine motor skills (e.g. handwriting, using utensils, manipulating toys)
• Gross motor coordination (e.g. climbing, balance, coordination)
• Sensory processing and emotional regulation
• Self-care skills (e.g. dressing, toileting, feeding)
• Social communication and play skills

The benefit of the NDIS foundational supports model is that it removes barriers to accessing early therapy. Parents can seek help without needing to wait for a diagnosis or formal NDIS approval. The idea is that if families can access this kind of support quickly, even without a diagnosis, children make progress sooner and challenges are less likely to become barriers.

As an OT, I often see how small, early changes create long-term gains. A few targeted sessions, combined with everyday practice at home or in kindy, can set a strong foundation for confidence, independence, and learning. That’s exactly what the NDIS foundational supports aim to achieve – early help that makes a lasting difference.

Why These Changes Can Feel Uncertain (and Why There’s Hope)

It’s completely understandable that families are feeling uncertain about what all these NDIS foundational supports changes mean. The idea of the NDIS shifting or introducing a new model can sound worrying, especially when parents are used to the structure of funding plans, therapy reports, and eligibility decisions.

Many families have questions like:

• “Will my child still get the therapy they need?”
• “What happens if my child is no longer eligible for the NDIS?”
• “Who will deliver these new foundational supports?”

These are valid and important questions. It can be hard to find the positives when the future feels unclear, and for many families, that uncertainty brings understandable frustration and worry.

Even so, it can help to reframe what’s happening and focus on what the government is trying to achieve through these reforms. The goal of NDIS foundational supports, including the Thriving Kids Program, isn’t to take support away. It’s to make access to supports easier, faster, and more consistent for families across Australia.

The intent behind these changes is to:

• Reduce long wait times for early intervention
• Create more consistent, community-based supports
• Ensure children who don’t qualify for NDIS funding still receive meaningful support
• Help families get started earlier, rather than waiting for assessments or diagnoses

In other words, the focus is on early access, equity, and prevention.

At the same time, I know these changes may feel unsettling, especially for families who already receive NDIS funding. If you’ve been told your child’s plan might change, it’s natural to feel like something is being taken away.

As an OT, I can see both sides of this. The intent is positive, aiming to reach more children earlier, but the way the changes have been announced hasn’t provided the reassurance families need. It’s a big shift, and it’s okay to have mixed feelings while the details are still being clarified.

NDIS Review and Foundational Supports Reforms

The NDIS foundational supports reforms come directly from recommendations made in the NDIS Review, which is a comprehensive government review released in late 2023.

The review found that many people with emerging or lower-level needs were missing out on help because they didn’t meet the strict eligibility criteria for an NDIS plan. Families were often told they needed to “wait until things got worse” before qualifying which is something the new reforms aim to change.

The government’s response was to propose a national system of foundational supports, available to people with disability or developmental concerns whether or not they’re on the NDIS.

In 2025, the government began designing this new system through an NDIS Foundational Supports Strategy and consultation process, originally led by the Department of Social Services (DSS). As of May 2025, oversight for both the NDIS and Foundational Supports has moved to the newly established Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA). This change aims to better align disability supports with health and early childhood systems while continuing the same reform direction recommended in the NDIS Review. These consultations are shaping how supports will be delivered across areas like:

• Early childhood development (via the Thriving Kids Program)
• Community access and inclusion
• Family and carer support
• Transitions into and out of the NDIS

According to the DSS, the Thriving Kids Program is expected to be one of the first foundational supports models to roll out, starting from 2026. Other foundational supports will gradually follow for different age groups and life stages.

In simple terms, this means families will have two key pathways to support:

1. Foundational supports – early, community-based, and easily accessible help.
2. NDIS plans – long-term, individualised funding for children with permanent and significant disability.

Both systems are designed to work together, ensuring that no child falls through the cracks.

What We Still Don’t Know About NDIS 2026

While the direction is clear, there are still many unknowns, and that’s what’s driving much of the confusion, fear, and frustration around the newly proposed model.

At this stage, the government has confirmed the concept, that NDIS foundational supports will become the new entry point for early intervention and developmental support, but many practical details are still in progress.

Here’s what’s still being finalised:

• Eligibility criteria: We don’t yet know the exact criteria or assessment process for the Thriving Kids Program.
• Referral pathways: How families will access the foundational supports, whether through GPs, kindergartens, early childhood partners, or community hubs.
• Funding structure: Whether foundational supports will be free, partially funded, or co-contributed by states and territories.
• Transition plans: How current NDIS participants with mild or moderate needs will move into the new model (if at all).
• Local delivery: How services will differ between states like QLD, NSW, and VIC, since each jurisdiction manages community services slightly differently.

In other words, we have the blueprint, but not yet the fine print.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) and the NDIS Review Implementation Taskforce are continuing consultations throughout 2025, which will shape how the NDIS foundational supports look when they roll out in 2026.

For now, the best thing families can do is stay informed and connected, especially through reliable sources like DSS announcements, NDIS updates, and trusted professionals in your community.

Where to Find Updates and Support

If you’d like to keep up with the latest on the NDIS foundational supports and NDIS changes, here are some reliable places to start:

• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA): health.gov.au
• Department of Social Services (DSS): dss.gov.au
• NDIS Review: ndisreview.gov.au
• NDIS official site: ndis.gov.au

You can also check in with your local Early Childhood Partner, community health centre, or allied health team. We’re all keeping a close eye on these changes too.

And of course, keep checking Kids Therapy Resources. As more information becomes available, this site will continue to share clear, parent-friendly updates about NDIS foundational supports and NDIS changes.

The best takeaway right now? You’re not expected to have it all figured out. The system is changing, but one thing remains the same: every child deserves the chance to develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive.

Helping Children Thrive Through Change

The upcoming NDIS foundational supports, including the Thriving Kids Program, mark a big shift in how early childhood support will look across Australia. For many families, that change brings a mix of emotions, including hope for easier access, but also worry about what might be lost along the way.

If you’re feeling uncertain, you’re not alone. I’ve spoken with many parents who feel confused, frustrated, or even a bit let down by how these changes have been communicated. Those feelings make complete sense. This is a complex reform, and families deserve clearer answers and reassurance than they’ve had so far.

From an OT perspective, I do see potential for good in the idea of the NDIS foundational supports, with quicker access, less paperwork, and earlier help for more children. But that doesn’t erase the very real anxiety families are feeling right now. My hope is that as the system develops, the people designing it will listen closely to families and professionals so that no child misses out on the support they need.

No matter how the details unfold, please remember this: you know your child best, and your advocacy matters. These changes might feel uncertain now, but your voice, experience, and persistence will continue to shape the support your child receives.

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FAQs About NDIS Foundational Supports