‘Thriving Kids’ and the plan to shrink the NDIS
Aug 28, 2025 •
The federal government says too many children are on the NDIS, and many of them are ‘over-serviced’.
Health Minister Mark Butler has unveiled a new plan, ‘Thriving Kids’, pitched as a way to save the NDIS by moving children with ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ autism and developmental delay off the scheme and back onto mainstream supports – which, over time, were defunded.
But the plan raises questions as to who gets to decide what’s ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ – and whether shifting kids off the NDIS will simply shift costs elsewhere.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
‘Thriving Kids’ and the plan to shrink the NDIS
1650 • Aug 28, 2025
‘Thriving Kids’ and the plan to shrink the NDIS
The federal government says too many children are on the NDIS, and many of them are ‘over-serviced’.
Health Minister Mark Butler has unveiled a new plan, ‘Thriving Kids’, pitched as a way to save the NDIS by moving children with ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ autism and developmental delay off the scheme and back onto mainstream supports – which, over time, were defunded.
But the plan raises questions as to who gets to decide what’s ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ – and whether shifting kids off the NDIS will simply shift costs elsewhere.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
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