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RACGP welcomes Thriving Kids initiative and urges strong role for general practice in early development supports

Royal Australian College of GPs

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed the release of a proposed Thriving Kids model and called for strong state and federal government investment in primary care so it can start making a difference in children’s lives.

The model, developed by the Thriving Kids Advisory Group, aims to ensure children with developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences are identified early and connected to the right supports.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said Thriving Kids represents an important reset.

“This is a welcome shift back to putting children and families at the heart of early support. But this system will only succeed if general practice is properly supported to play its central role in early identification and navigation,” he said.

“The model is built on key principles: child- and family-centred care, early identification, evidence-based supports, cultural safety, flexible access, and services delivered in children’s everyday environments.

“We were proud to contribute to the advisory group, and we’re confident this model will give children the right support at the right time.”

The Independent Review of the NDIS highlighted major gaps in early childhood supports, finding that too many families were turning to the NDIS because appropriate services outside the Scheme were limited or difficult to access. As a result, the NDIS has absorbed large numbers of children with low-to-moderate support needs – diverting the Scheme from its core purpose of supporting people with permanent and significant disability.

The College particularly welcomes the proposed MBS-funded three-year-old health and development check, which would enable GPs, child and family health nurses, practice nurses, and Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations to identify concerns earlier, provide advice, and connect families to the right supports before issues escalate.

GPs are a trusted and accessible touchpoint for families, and the RACGP strongly supports the model’s emphasis on early detection. RACGP Child and Young Person’s Health spokesperson, Dr Tim Jones, represented the College on the advisory group and said early identification starts in general practice.

“Families trust their GP. With the right tools, including a funded three-year-old developmental check, we can pick up families in need of some extra help earlier, reduce stigma and confusion, and assist them to access support without needing to navigate the NDIS,” he said.

“Thriving Kids will only work if GPs are fully integrated into the system, supported with adequate funding, and equipped with clear referral pathways.

“Families must be able to rely on their local GP as a knowledgeable, connected gateway into the supports their child needs.”

The Thriving Kids model establishes multiple entry points for families, including national digital information, phone support, universal parenting supports, community providers, early childhood education settings and general practice.

Importantly, families will not need a diagnosis to access supports, removing one of the largest barriers to timely help.

The RACGP will continue working with governments to ensure Thriving Kids delivers on its promise: accessible early supports, reduced pressure on the NDIS, and better outcomes for children across Australia.

~ENDS

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the peak representative organisation for general practice, the backbone of Australia’s health system. We set the standards for general practice, facilitate lifelong learning for GPs, connect the general practice community, and advocate for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.

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