Children and families could miss out on vital early support if psychologists are not embedded in the Government’s new Thriving Kids model, Australia’s leading psychology bodies have warned. The warning comes as Thriving Kids begins its staged rollout from 1 October 2026, ahead of full implementation by January 2028.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi) say the Thriving Kids initiative presents an important opportunity to rethink how Australia supports children and families, but its success will depend on ensuring psychologists are meaningfully embedded in all key aspects of Thriving Kids supports.
APS President Dr Kelly Gough said Australia can’t build an effective system designed to help children thrive without the inclusion of psychological expertise.
“Helping children thrive is about identifying developmental needs early, understanding what is driving a child’s behaviour, and connecting children and families with the right expertise and support at the right time,” said Dr Gough.
“Psychologists have advanced training in child development, mental health, behaviour, family relationships, psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions. That expertise is critical if Thriving Kids is to respond effectively to children’s developmental, behavioural, emotional and family needs,” continued Dr Gough.
AAPi Executive Director Tegan Carrison said embedding psychologists in the early intervention pathway was critical to children’s wellbeing.
“Early childhood reform must strengthen, not dilute, access to psychological expertise. If we are genuinely committed to helping children thrive, we need a model that recognises the central role of psychologists in delivering safe, effective, and developmentally informed care.
“The Thriving Kids model also puts the responsibility back onto parents, despite the reality that families have often already spent months or years advocating, researching, and attempting to access support before delays become formally recognised.
“Making psychologists a part of the process as early as possible will ease this burden,” Ms Carrison said.
The joint Position Statement, ‘Embedding the expertise of psychologists in Thriving Kids’, comes as states and territories begin to move toward implementation of the framework and is intended as a resource for governments, commissioning bodies, service planners and providers.
It sets out where and why psychological expertise is relevant across the Thriving Kids model, from early identification through to referral and escalation, along with practical considerations for commissioning, workforce planning and collaboration.
