THE SITUATION

The Australian Government is rolling out the "Thriving Kids" reforms. While it sounds positive, the reality is a plan to move children aged 8 and under away from specialized NDIS support and toward generic "Foundational Supports."

Under this new framework, children with conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Stuttering, and Dyspraxia are being labeled as "mild" or "moderate" to justify cutting their funding. There is nothing "mild" about a child who cannot communicate, learn, or regulate their emotions without professional help.

THE HUMAN COST: A CRISIS OF SAFETY

Disability doesn’t happen in a vacuum. By forcing families into "parent-led" care instead of professional intervention, the Government is ignoring the reality of Australian households:

Professional Care is a Necessity: Evidence-based therapy must be delivered by qualified Allied Health professionals. Expecting untrained parents to replace clinicians via "online courses" is clinically unsound and places an unfair burden on families.

The Single-Parent & Financial Burden: A disproportionate number of children with disabilities live in single-parent or low-income households. These parents are already at their limit; they do not have the "spare capacity" to become unpaid clinicians.

Compounded Vulnerability: Research (including from the Disability Royal Commission) confirms that children with disabilities face significantly higher rates of Domestic and Family Violence. Furthermore, women in these households experience double the rate of domestic violence. Shifting the clinical burden onto these primary carers—who may already be in crisis—is a dangerous withdrawal of the only safety net these families may have.

OUR DEMANDS

We call on the Australian Government and the Minister for the NDIS to:

1) End "Diagnostic Gatekeeping": Eligibility must be based on a child’s total functional struggle, not a single "mild" diagnosis label.

2) Guarantee Professional, Evidence-Based Intervention: Ensure every child has direct, funded access to qualified clinicians (Speech Pathologists, OTs, Psychologists), not just parent-led workshops.

3) Mandate "Real-World" Assessments: NDIS assessments must legally account for Family Complexity, including financial hardship, single-parent status, and the presence of Domestic and Family Violence.

Safeguard Children: Guarantee that no child is diverted from the NDIS until the alternative system is fully funded, staffed by experts, and proven to keep children safe and supported.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The NDIS was a promise that no Australian would be left behind. Let’s hold the Government to that promise.

Sign the Petition: Show the Minister that we won't accept "DIY therapy" for our most vulnerable children.

Share the Message: Help us protect the safety and the future of every child with a disability.