Foundational Supports Explained
NDIS foundational supports explained: the new tier below individual plans, general vs targeted supports, who they're for, and when they start rolling out.
You may have heard that a new kind of support is coming — one that sits below an individual NDIS plan but above ordinary community services. These are called foundational supports, and they are one of the most significant changes to how disability support works in Australia. This guide explains what they are, the difference between general and targeted supports, who is likely to benefit, and the…
What foundational supports are
General vs targeted supports
Why they are being introduced
How they're funded
Children first: Thriving Kids
Who is likely to benefit
What to do right now
Frequently asked questions
What are NDIS foundational supports?
Foundational supports are a new tier of disability help that sits between mainstream community services and full individual NDIS plans. Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and states, they include general supports open to anyone with disability and more focused targeted supports for specific groups.
Do I need an NDIS plan to use them?
Not for general foundational supports — that is much of the point. They are designed to be easier to reach than an individual NDIS plan, so people who do not qualify for, or are waiting on, the NDIS still have somewhere to turn for information, advice and navigation help.
When do foundational supports start?
The National Agreement funding them commenced on 2 February 2026. The first major rollout, the Thriving Kids program for young children, is set to begin from 1 October 2026, with broader implementation targeted for around 2028. Availability may vary by state as the system is built.
What is Thriving Kids?
Thriving Kids is the first foundational supports program, aimed at children with developmental delay or autism and lower-to-moderate needs. It offers families earlier, lighter-touch help without necessarily entering the full NDIS, and is set to begin from 1 October 2026.
Related guides
- What NDIS Mandatory Registration Means for You
- NDIS Reform Tracker: Every Change and When It Starts
- The New Aged Care Act: What Families & Providers Need to Know
- The New NDIS Supports List: What's In and What's Out
- Support at Home: What Changed When It Launched (1 Nov 2025)
- The 'Getting the NDIS Back on Track' Act, in Plain English