Is My Child Still Eligible for the NDIS?
22 July 2026 · Hunter Children's Clinics · reviewed quarterly
This is the question worrying a lot of parents right now. Here's a clear answer, without the jargon.
General information, current as at July 2026. Confirm your child's individual situation with the NDIS and your treating team.
The simple guide
Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with high support needs: this group continues to be supported by the NDIS under the existing arrangements.
Children aged 8 and under with low to moderate needs: over time, this group will increasingly be supported through the new Thriving Kids programme and foundational supports, rather than an individual NDIS package. Read our guide to Thriving Kids and the NDIS changes.
If your child is already on the NDIS
They will not be automatically removed. Any reassessment for children with low-to-moderate needs is expected to use the eligibility criteria in place before 1 January 2028, not new criteria. Nothing changes overnight, and this doesn't take main effect until 1 January 2028.
"But I'm not sure which group my child is in"
That's completely understandable. The line between "moderate" and "significant" needs isn't always obvious to families, and it isn't about an autism "level". A paediatric or developmental assessment is designed to clarify exactly this: your child's strengths, their needs, and the kind of support that fits. See our paediatric assessment page.
What you can do
Seek advice early if you have concerns, keep any current NDIS supports in place, and check the official sources for updates as the detail is confirmed.
Unsure where your child stands? Contact our team on 02 4072 1877 to arrange an assessment.
Read more
- Thriving Kids and the NDIS changes
- NDIS changes for children: what's actually changing, and when
- Thriving Kids in Newcastle and the Hunter
- What are "foundational supports"?
- Do I still need an autism assessment under Thriving Kids?
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you have concerns about your child, please speak with your GP, paediatrician, or our assessment team.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child lose their NDIS funding?
Children already on the NDIS won't be automatically removed. Children with permanent and significant disability, and children aged 8 and under with high support needs, remain eligible. Reassessments for the low-to-moderate group are expected to use the eligibility criteria in place before 1 January 2028.
Which children move to Thriving Kids?
Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs will increasingly be supported through Thriving Kids as the changes take effect from 1 January 2028.
