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The start date is fixed but a MJA investigation says the service children will receive remains largely undefined.

Autism diagnostic experts say key details of Thriving Kids remain unknown only weeks before the program begins rolling out in October. The Medical Journal of Australia’s InSight+ reports that clinicians and families still lack clear information about screening and assessment, service tiers, delivery settings and the workforce expected to provide support.

Dr Amanda Mazzoni said families were already scrambling for diagnoses and described a lack of transparency around the model. Professor David Trembath warned that children whose needs fall between Thriving Kids and the NDIS could miss out.

Official material says Thriving Kids will support children aged eight and under with developmental delay or autism who have low-to-moderate needs, while children with permanent and significant disability will remain eligible for the NDIS. It does not yet resolve the operational questions raised by experts.

Bottom line: The government has set the start date before explaining the service it will start.

What to watch next: National standards for assessment, service tiers, workforce and continuity between Thriving Kids and the NDIS.

Sources: InSight+ | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Provider warning: The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission says it has written to more than 285,000 unregistered providers, including sole traders, reminding them that the NDIS Code of Conduct applies whether or not they are registered. Breaches can attract fines, banning orders or civil penalties.

Source: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Living choices: The NDIA’s individualised living options guide explains how participants can design support around their preferred home and living companions. Funding covers exploration and design, followed by implementation once a service proposal is approved. It funds support arrangements, not rent, mortgage repayments or ordinary household expenses.

Source: NDIA.

Priority access: Palliative Care Australia says the NDIS priority pathway for people with life-limiting illness continues unchanged, aiming for eligibility decisions within five working days and first plans within 30 days. It wants the pathway preserved through the reforms and is seeking de-identified examples of people struggling to obtain disability support.

Source: Palliative Care Australia.

Inclusive childcare: Story House Early Learning’s parent guide explains what inclusion should look like for autistic children and children with complex needs. It recommends practical adjustments, individual planning and gradual orientation, noting that these can begin without a formal diagnosis. The guide also distinguishes childcare inclusion funding from individual NDIS support.

Source: Story House Early Learning.

‘A real kick in the teeth’: Dozens of tram stops have been upgraded, but wheelchair users still can’t board: The Sydney Morning Herald reports that wheelchair users remain unable to board despite upgrades to dozens of tram stops. The publicly available headline identifies continuing access barriers; the full report could not be retrieved to verify further detail.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald | Subscriber-access report

Kiralea’s fight to get help and stay with her family: Port Stephens News Of The Area reports that Kiralea Powell, who has an aggressive brain tumour, says her NDIS plan cannot cover a medical hoist or the physiotherapy she needs. Bedridden and fundraising for overseas treatment, she also fears reduced funding for her autistic son and reassessment of her own support.

Source: Port Stephens News Of The Area | Paywall: No.

Victor Redvers Raven: Serial arsonist with decades of offending latest WA crook released on NDIS funding: The West Australian reports that serial arsonist Victor Redvers Raven has been released with an NDIS plan worth $614,000. The publicly available headline and preview identify the funding arrangement but do not provide enough detail to summarise his release conditions or funded supports.

Source: The West Australian | Paywall: Yes; summary limited to public preview.

Nothing to Hide? Everything to Lose: Michael West Media examines Australian government use of Palantir and Cellebrite, raising concerns about surveillance and NDIS participant privacy. Claudia Weisenberger reports that the NDIA has no direct Palantir contract but shares financial intelligence through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce with agencies that do. She questions whether participants have been adequately informed about these arrangements.

Source: Michael West Media | Paywall: No | Analysis.

See which schools are most at risk of new disability cuts: Schools serving large numbers of neurodivergent students face staffing cuts and repayment demands as eligibility for federal disability funding tightens. AdelaideNow reports some mainstream schools are cutting learning-support staff by two-thirds, while advocates warn the changes could produce shortened school days, exclusion and prolonged absence.

Source: AdelaideNow | Paywall: Yes

Back for Great Tram Pull: Moreton Daily reports that Claire’s Cottage’s all-abilities team will return to the Great Brisbane Tram Pull on 19 September. Participants will pull a historic one-tonne tram at Brisbane Tramway Museum, continuing a tradition begun in 2023. Supporters are invited to wear yellow; the event starts at 3pm and spectator entry is free.

Source: Moreton Daily | Paywall: No.