National Early Childhood Program: Thriving Kids - Autism Helpline and Information Supports

Overview

The grant program aims to deliver a National Autism helpline and information supports for families, cares and kin of children aged 0–8 with autism or neuro-developmental concerns. It will be delivered as part of the Commonwealth’s Thriving Kids initiative, under the National Early Childhood Program (NECP). Delivery will support value for money investment by leveraging existing community-based helpline and digital web-based infrastructure. The main focus of the program will be on offering telephone-based supports, with information and resources in a digital hub as a secondary support.  Support would improve early development outcomes by increasing access to evidence-based information, advice, and connection to community-based support. It will strengthen parents’ skills, to support their child or children, including supporting priority and vulnerable groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, regional and remote children and families, and parents that may have disability. Information provided through the helpline and information hub will also support professionals working with families with a child with autism or neuro-developmental concerns. Thriving Kids complements this by promoting early identification of developmental needs, improving access to evidence-based supports, and empowering families through integrated national services. It emphasises child- and family-centred, culturally safe, and evidence-informed approaches delivered in accessible settings. Overall, the grant seeks to improve family knowledge and confidence, enhance early support pathways, and ensure better coordination across the broader Thriving Kids service system with an autism-specific focus. To view the grant opportunity documents, please select the red "Grant Opportunity Documents" button on the left-hand side. NOTE: Please refer to the most recent version of the FAQs (Version 2) published on 15 June 2026.