Children, Young People and Families Reference Group meeting bulletin, 30 March 2026
The Children, Young People and Families Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 30 March 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:
What they have heard in their communities
The Thriving Kids program
Advice currently in development on justice, and home and living.
Principal Member Leah van Poppel and Reference Group Co-chair Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan led the meeting.
What Members have heard in their communities
Members shared community concerns about how Thriving Kids will impact families with Autistic children. The community are also concerned about what their NDIS plan funding will be once the program is introduced. The Agency noted that the government will begin to implement Thriving Kids in partnership with state and territory governments from 1 October 2026 and expect it to be operating at scale by 1 January 2028. Children will have low to moderate support needs will be able to access Thriving Kids, while children who have high support needs and permanent disability will continue to access the NDIS.
Members voiced community concerns about NDIS eligibility assessments. Members also asked the Agency to ensure it supports children and families transitioning out of the Scheme.
Members asked the NDIA to clarify details about funding periods.
Members raised community concerns that the Agency is rushing decisions and there is less consultation on NDIS reforms.
Participants have shared examples with members of reductions to NDIS funding, resulting in families providing more support and requiring them to leave work to fulfil these caring obligations.
Members shared how young people, particularly those who experience complex disabilities and multiple diagnoses, have had their supports declined by the Agency due to their additional mental illness diagnosis. Members noted the difficult circumstances faced by young people caught up in the child protection, health and justice systems, and asked that the Agency and state health systems better coordinate their efforts to encourage these young people.
The Agency said it has been working with child protection services to help children with complex needs. It started 2 pilots in August 2025 to develop how the Agency works with children and family services and child protection agencies, with positive results.
Support Needs Assessment update
The Agency updated Members on Support Needs Assessments.
Update on IAC Advice
The IAC’s Independent Advisors provided Members with an overview of the IAC’s ‘Justice’ and ‘Home and Living’ advice. The Agency also updated members on New Framework Planning.
More information on the Reference Group
The Children, Young People and Families Reference Group will next meet online 15 June 2026. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.
Information in Easy Read
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