Foundational Supports
OTA is working to support and advance the critical role that OTs will play in the design and delivery of foundational supports.
About Foundational Supports
Foundational Supports are part of Australia’s broader disability reform agenda. They aim to fill gaps between mainstream services, such as health and education, and the NDIS.
General supports provide broadly available information, advice, service navigation and capacity building. Targeted supports provide more tailored assistance for people who need more support than mainstream services offer but do not need an individualised NDIS budget.
The National Agreement on Foundational Supports commenced in February 2026 and provides for up to $10 billion in joint government investment over five years. Thriving Kids is the first phase, while supports for other groups, including people with psychosocial disability, are yet to be agreed.
Thriving Kids Initiative
Occupational Therapy Australia is continuing to advocate for occupational therapists to be fully included in the design and delivery of the Thriving Kids Initiative, which begins on 1 October 2026. The initiative will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
Occupational therapists are an essential part of multidisciplinary allied health teams. They support children and families through assessment, family coaching, assistive technology advice, education-based supports, targeted intervention and participation-focused outcomes.
OTA’s position is clear: Thriving Kids must include allied health professionals and private allied health providers if it is to deliver timely, high-quality and family-centred support for children and families.
OTA has set out this position in its Thriving Kids Submission – May 2026. Members and stakeholders are encouraged to read the submission, which can be found here.
Thriving Kids contact emails
- Federal: foundational.supports@health.gov.au
- NSW: thrivingkids@dcj.nsw.gov.au
- VIC: thriving.kids@education.vic.gov.au
- QLD: foundationalsupports@families.qld.gov.au
- WA: FoundationalSupportsWA@communities.wa.gov.au
- SA: enquiries@dhs.sa.gov.au
- TAS: thriving.kids@dpac.tas.gov.au
- ACT: disabilityreform@act.gov.au
- NT: officeofdisability.dpsc@nt.gov.au
Psychosocial supports outside the NDIS
Psychosocial supports help people manage the impact of mental illness on daily living, housing, relationships, education, employment and community participation.
Existing national psychosocial support arrangements have been extended to June 2027 while governments develop new mental health arrangements. However, governments have not yet agreed the scope, funding, service model or timeframe for psychosocial Foundational Supports. Meanwhile, NDIS changes affecting capacity-building, daily activity and community participation supports are due to begin from October 2026.
OTA is calling for a clear implementation plan and safeguards so people do not lose necessary NDIS supports before appropriate alternatives are available. Occupational therapists must also be recognised in workforce planning, service design and commissioning.
Read OTA’s psychosocial supports advice and actions for government here.
For OTA policy queries or further information, please contact: policy@otaus.com.au.
Member Priorities
Our members want to see:
- Recognition of the important role occupational therapists play across all parts of the disability support system.
- Clear, well-funded roles for OTs in delivering early childhood and psychosocial foundational supports.
- Evidence-based models that support person-centred care and align with OT values.
- Opportunities for OTs to contribute their expertise to the design and implementation of new systems and services.
Our Advocacy
OTA is working to ensure occupational therapists are included and supported as foundational supports are designed and rolled out. Our work so far includes:
- Engaging with governments and departmental teams responsible for designing foundational supports.
- Participating in consultations on general supports and targeted supports for people with psychosocial disability and for children with disability or developmental delay.
- Developing policy proposals that outline best practice approaches and the role of OTs across early childhood, psychosocial disability and assistive technology.
- Establishing a Community of Practice and two Advisory Groups focused on early childhood and psychosocial disability to draw on member expertise.
- Working closely with members who have experience in the NDIS and in state and territory disability services to shape practical, client-focused solutions.
As this reform process continues, we will provide updates on opportunities for consultation and advocacy. We will also offer guidance to support coordinated advocacy efforts across the sector and ensure our profession is well represented in these changes.
See our submissions advocating for foundational supports
Learn more
How you can help
We welcome feedback from members working in early childhood, psychosocial disability, or any area affected by these reforms.
Your insights help strengthen our policy work and ensure we are advocating for the best outcomes for occupational therapists and the people you support.
