Foundational Supports for Children

Foundational Supports for children under 9

The NSW Government is working hard to deliver on our commitment to ensure that children across NSW get the best start in life and learning, no matter their postcode or background.

We are working with the Australian Government and other states and territories to design and implement Foundational Supports for children under nine with autism and developmental delay. These supports would help children with low-to-moderate support needs and their families, carers and kin. These supports are also referred to as Thriving Kids.

Foundational Supports will help children to meet developmental milestones, learn, be social, and support them with their emotional, physical and mental health. Supports are also being designed to give families, carers and kin the right information to understand and support their child’s needs.

Community and sector consultation

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) held a series of community consultation events in 2025.  

We heard from parents, carers and kin, people with disability, and people working in early childhood education, disability or early intervention services and allied health.

There were 28 face-to-face consultations held in Liverpool, Parramatta, Seven Hills, Campbelltown, Regents Park, Wagga Wagga, Bankstown, Chatswood, Randwick, Lithgow, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Redfern, Armidale, Tamworth, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Wollongong, Batemans Bay, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Penrith and Lakemba.

DCJ also hosted six webinars, including sessions focussed on families, allied health professionals, rural and remote issues and Early Childhood Education and Care Providers.

DCJ also launched a Have Your Say survey, from October to December 2025 and a Request for Information from December 2025 to early February 2026. Both the survey and the Request for Information are is now closed, and we are reviewing responses to further inform our approach. 

Further information

If you have any questions, please email foundationalsupports@dcj.nsw.gov.au

The Australian Government has published information about Thriving Kids on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Where to get support

If you are worried about how your child is growing and learning, talk to your child's doctor or the Community Nurse at your local Child and Family Health Centre.  

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Early Childhood Approach helps  children under 9 with developmental delay or disabilities. They focus on early intervention and support. To find an NDIS Early Childhood provider, go to the NDIS website.

Additional information:

• DSS Disabilities and carers – information about support for people with disabilities and their families, carers and kin. 
• Disability Advocacy Futures Program – information disability advocacy services.  
• NSW Education Inclusive learning support – information about the Disability Advocacy Futures Program for students.
• DCJ Early Intervention Programs - free services across NSW that support children, young people and families experiencing a range of issues.
• Family Connect and Support - connects families with support services and community resources to help keep children and young people are safe and well.
• Aboriginal Child and Family Centres - culturally-safe services for families with Aboriginal children aged up to 8 years of age.
• Brighter Beginnings – services and resources to help children during the first five years of life.
• Finding early childhood education and care – information to help families, carers and kin choose an early childhood education service.
• NSW Health Disability services and initiatives – information about accessible health care options for people with disabilities.