Media Release: Rural Families Deserve Choice under Thriving Kids NSW

RURAL FAMILIES DESERVE CHOICE UNDER THRIVING KIDS NSW

Member for Albury Justin Clancy has raised concerns about the NSW Government’s decision to largely exclude private allied health providers from delivering services under the new Thriving Kids NSW program.

The program, which will begin rolling out from October 2026, is intended to provide early intervention supports for children aged eight years and under with developmental delay and Autism who are not accessing the NDIS.

However, the current Expressions of Interest (EOI) process opened by the Department of Communities and Justice is focused on non-government not-for-profit organisations, with private providers only considered under “exceptional circumstances”.

Mr Clancy said this approach risks leaving rural and regional families with fewer options and reduced access to care.

‘In communities like Jerilderie and Oaklands, private allied health practitioners are often the frontline providers supporting local children and families,’ Mr Clancy said.

‘These clinicians have built trusted relationships with families, schools and preschools, and they provide flexible services close to home in communities already dealing with workforce shortages and long waitlists.’

Speech Pathology Australia has also expressed serious concerns about the commissioning arrangements, warning that private speech pathology providers are essential to the Thriving Kids workforce and that children will not have sufficient access to services without them.

Mr Clancy said regional families deserve a real choice when accessing support for their children.

‘A one-size-fits-all approach designed in Sydney does not reflect the realities of healthcare delivery in rural NSW,’ he said.

‘Regional families should not lose access to trusted local services because of policy decisions that fail to recognise the important role private practitioners play in our communities.’

Mr Clancy has written to the Minister for Families and Communities seeking clarification on the decision-making process, consultation undertaken with private providers, and whether the Government will reconsider allowing suitably qualified private practitioners to participate in the program.

The current EOI process closes on 29 May 2026.

‘Rural children deserve better access, not fewer options,’ Mr Clancy said.