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Thriving Kids Program

Early Intervention Speech Therapy Through Thriving Kids

Thriving Kids gives children aged 0 to 8 access to funded speech therapy, no diagnosis needed. Speech Clinic is ready to help your child thrive.

Understanding Thriving Kids

Australia's New Early Intervention Program For Children

Thriving Kids is a $2 billion government program launching in October 2026. It gives children aged 0 to 8 with speech, language, or developmental concerns access to funded early intervention. GPs, schools, and health providers like Speech Clinic deliver the program.

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A woman with long, brown hair stands indoors against a plain wall and a plant. She is wearing a sleeveless red top and gesturing with her hands.
/spiːtʃ ˈklɪnɪk/
/kæt/
/dɔːɡ/
/kəˌmjunɪˈkeɪʃən/
/haʊs/
A woman with long hair and wearing a red top looks at a laptop screen with a surprised expression. A plant is in the background.
A person points to an illustration in a children's book depicting a roaring lion with a rider on its back and people running away.
/spiːtʃ ˈklɪnɪk/
/spiːtʃ ˈθɛrəpɪst/
/ˈɛlɪfənt/
/ˈbɑːskɪtbɔːl/
/kəmˈpjuːtər/
Speech Pathologist Lauren with her hands while speaking. A green plant is visible in the background.Video call interface with Dr. Lauren Crumlish, Speech Pathologist, at the bottom left. A young boy's video feed appears at the top right. Multiple call control icons are present at the bottom center.

Thriving Kids Speech Therapy

What Early Intervention Looks Like At Speech Clinic

Your child works one-on-one with a speech pathologist who plans each session around their needs. We use play-based activities, structured exercises, and parent coaching to build your child's communication and language skills. Choose mobile sessions, school visits, or online speech therapy from anywhere in Australia.

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  • No formal diagnosis required
  • Needs-based early support

What Is Telepractice?

Bringing Warmth To Digital Speech Therapy

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Interactive Book Reading Online

Watch your child's eyes light up as stories come alive on screen, nurturing their language skills and igniting a love for reading.

Book Consultation

Interactive Storytelling

Language development

Phonological awareness

Vocabulary building

Early literacy skills

Speech Pathologist Lauren Crumlish sitting in front of a laptop with a surprised expression on her face. A plant is visible in the background.

Real-Time Video Speech Therapy

Face-to-face care that feels personal, despite the distance. We've adapted our techniques to create engaging online sessions that children look forward to.

Book Consultation

Speech Articulation

Fluency

Social communication skills

Voice therapy

Tailored Interventions

Every child deserves early access to speech therapy. Thriving Kids aligns with our commitment to reach more families, earlier.

Lauren Crumlish

Founder & Speech Pathologist

As Published In

Who Is Thriving Kids For?

Early Support For Children Aged 0 To 8

This program catches speech and language challenges early, when communication support can make a real difference. If your child is a late talker, struggles to be understood, or finds social settings hard, Thriving Kids opens the door to funded help.

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Children who struggle with sounds, forming sentences, following directions, or saying what they mean can access funded speech therapy through Thriving Kids.

Children with mild to moderate autism who need help with social communication, language development, or putting words together can access funded support through this program.

If your child is not hitting speech or language milestones for their age, this program offers a clear pathway to developmental support and early intervention, no diagnosis needed.

A woman in a black and red graduation gown stands under an archway, holding a black handbag.
Speech Clinic speech pathologist Lauren Crumlish

We assess eligibility based on your child's needs, not labels. Our team helps families navigate the process from referral to first speech therapy session.

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Is My Child Eligible?

Thriving Kids Eligibility Criteria

Thriving Kids is needs-based, not diagnosis-based. Your child does not need a formal label to get help. A GP, child health nurse, or teacher can refer your child for speech therapy, and that referral opens the door to funded support.

  • Aged 0 to 8 years

  • Referral from GP, school, or health nurse

  • Mild to moderate developmental concerns

  • No formal diagnosis required

  • Speech, language, or communication needs

  • Available across Australia

Check Eligibility
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We're Here To Guide You Through Thriving Kids

Not Sure If Your Child Qualifies?

If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, the Thriving Kids program may offer a funded pathway to communication support. Speech Clinic is here to help families understand their options and take the first step.

Getting Started

How To Access Thriving Kids At Speech Clinic

A woman and a young child smile while looking at a device screen during a telehealth video call. A small window shows a healthcare professional labeled "Telehealth Live".
01

Talk To Your GP Or Contact Us

Ask your GP, child health nurse, or teacher about Thriving Kids. Or contact our team and we'll walk you through the referral process.

02

Communication Assessment

Our speech pathologist completes a full assessment of your child's speech and language skills, pinpointing where early intervention will help most.

03

Personalised Therapy Plan

We create a tailored plan based on your child's results, with clear speech therapy goals and evidence-based methods.

04

Begin Regular Sessions

Your child starts regular speech therapy sessions, in-clinic, at school, or online, with progress tracking and parent coaching to support growth at home.

A woman and a young child smile while looking at a device screen during a telehealth video call. A small window shows a healthcare professional labeled "Telehealth Live".
Key Program Details

What You Need To Know About Thriving Kids

The Thriving Kids program is rolling out in stages across Australia. Here are the key facts every parent should know:

  • The program launches in October 2026, with full national implementation targeted for January 2028

  • $2 billion in federal funding with matching state commitments supports the program

  • Services will be delivered through GPs, schools, community health providers, and allied health clinics

Our team brings years of experience in paediatric speech therapy in Brisbane and a genuine passion for helping families access the right support. Contact us to learn about Thriving Kids eligibility and next steps.

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A young boy wearing headphones uses a laptop at a desk. He is focused on the screen, and there are potted plants in the background.
A woman is smiling while looking at a tablet indoors, with a bookshelf in the background.

No Diagnosis Required

Unlike the NDIS, Thriving Kids does not require a formal diagnosis. If your GP, teacher, or child health nurse thinks your child needs speech therapy, that referral is all it takes to access funded support.

Designed For Early Intervention

The program supports children aged 0 to 8 with speech delays, language concerns, or mild to moderate developmental needs. Early communication support during these formative years plays a key role in your child's language development.

Delivered Through Trusted Providers

Thriving Kids speech therapy is delivered through mainstream health and education providers. Speech Clinic is preparing to offer these services in Brisbane and via telehealth across Australia.

Backed by Research

What the Evidence Says About Telehealth for Speech Therapy

Research consistently shows that online speech therapy can be just as effective as traditional in-person sessions for many children. It ensures the continuity of care for hundreds of thousands of Australian patients.  

What does this mean for your family? It means that distance is no longer a barrier to top-quality care. Children in rural areas, those with mobility challenges, or families juggling busy schedules can all access expert speech therapy without compromise.

The benefits go beyond convenience. Many children feel more comfortable and confident in their home environment, leading to more engaged sessions and faster progress. Plus, parents report feeling more involved in their child’s therapy, gaining skills to support communication development every day.

As technology advances, so does the quality of online therapy. Interactive tools, games, and activities specifically designed for virtual sessions keep children motivated and learning.

At Speech Clinic, we stay at the forefront of this research, continually refining our approach to provide the most effective, evidence-based care for your child. With online speech therapy, you’re not just keeping up—you’re giving your child a leading edge in communication development.

For such areas, we ensure that the highest levels of clinical planning, optimisation and evaluation occurs to ensure that the service is tailored for every individual child. It is critical that all therapy is tailored for each individual child and that time is taken to reflect upon whether a particular therapy approach and delivery option are suitable. Speech Clinic™ undertakes frequent reviews regardless of whether intervention is provided in the home environment or via telepractice.

Download our Telehealth Information Booklet

Building ConfidentCommunicators

Accredited & Certified

Certified Practising Speech Pathologists with additional accreditations

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Personalised Care Plans

Customised assessments and interventions for your child's individual needs.

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Flexible Therapy Options

Mobile and telehealth services. Flexible scheduling to fit your family's lifestyle.

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Gold Standard Treatments

Proven therapies like Lidcombe and Hanen. Best practices for optimal outcomes.

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Whether you've just noticed speech difficulties or have been concerned for a while, we're here to help. 

Research-Informed Practice
Telehealth Available
Engaging Sessions
Child-Centred Care

Watch and Learn

Insightful Videos And Animated Explanations

From professional insights to simplified explanations, these resources offer valuable knowledge for parents, educators, and professionals alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We're Here To Answer Your Questions

You’ll need a device with a camera and microphone (computer, tablet, or smartphone) and a stable internet connection. We recommend an internet speed of at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download, though a minimum of 600 Kbps can work. Most modern devices are suitable, but we’ll guide you through testing your setup before your first session to ensure smooth communication.

Our speech pathologists use various interactive digital tools and activities tailored to each child’s interests and needs. For example, we use interactive book reading where your child can see the therapist and the book simultaneously. Our approach is designed to make therapy feel like play, keeping children motivated and involved throughout the session.

Online therapy can address various speech and language issues, including speech sound disorders, language development, fluency (stuttering), and social communication skills. During our initial assessment, we’ll discuss whether online therapy is the best option for your child or if other approaches might be more beneficial.

Yes, we understand busy schedules! We offer before and after school appointments, as well as weekend slots, to accommodate your family’s needs.

More questions?

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Resources For Parents

Speech and Language Delay in Children: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Implications for Australian Families

Why Does Early Detection of Speech Delays Matter to Your Child’s Future? The development of intelligible speech and language represents...

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Genetic Findings in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: The Role of CNTNAP2 and Clinical Implications

Unravelling the Genetic Puzzle of Childhood Speech Disorders Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) remains one of the most challenging speech...

Read Article

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Training and Confidence Levels of Speech Pathologists Supporting Children with ASD

With the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continuing to rise across Australia, the demand for qualified speech pathologists with...

Read Article
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