Australia's New $4B Program for Kids with Delays

0:00It's March 27, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Adelaide News today, local news powered by AI. The Australian government is rolling out thriving kids, a $4 billion program to shift some young children away from the national disability, insurance scheme. It targets kids under 9, with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism, moving therapies and supports into schools, childcare centers, and community hubs. This comes as the first phase launches in just a few months, though key details on funding and operations remain under wraps. The NDIS is set to cost over $50 billion dollars this financial year, with projections topping $60 billion by decades end, and officials aim to, slow its growth to 6% annually. Allied health workers and educators are sounding alarms, saying their sectors are already overstretched with staff shortages, especially outside major, cities. They back the program's goals, but fear it will flop without urging clarity on workforce

1:00plans, risking pressure on families, schools, and health systems. Groups like occupational therapists and speech pathologists are pushing for new Medicare funding, vouchers for private providers, and extra training, to handle the load. Teachers report squeezing services into odd spaces amid heavy workloads. Government leaders' note states will coordinate delivery, with investments in placements, telehealth and upskilling on the way. As federal and state agreements lock in soon, this could redefine early support for thousands of families.