Education & Information

On 1 October the federal government launched Thriving Kids, the program that's meant to replace the NDIS for thousands of young autistic children and children with developmental delay. I've got one question, and I'm genuinely asking: what actually is it? I've gone looking, and so have doctors, autism experts and a lot of very frustrated parents. Nobody can give you a straight answer. What Thriving Kids Actually Gave Families on Day One On 1 October, families got online resour

No two people take the same path into work. That is why our NDIS Employment Assistance program on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast is not a fixed course. It is built around each participant: their goals, their strengths and the kind of work they want to do. Employment Assistance replaces School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES). If you are new to the change, our guide explains what the switch from SLES to Employment Assistance means. What Is Employment Assistance? Employment

Since 27 August 2026, asking the NDIA to reassess your plan works differently. Who can ask, the two routes that qualify, the 90-day wait, when a variation fits better, and the 1 October timing issue.

Improved Daily Living pays for building skills, not for someone doing things for you. What it covers, what it costs in 2026-27, and the 10% reduction starting from 1 October 2026.

The NDIS Act 2026 passed on 19 August. We went back through the final text, Part by Part, against the questions we asked about the Bill in May: what changed, what didn't, and when each part starts.

Two NDIS budgets have almost the same name. One is being cut by 50% from 1 October 2026 and the other isn't named in the new law. What Increased Social and Community Participation covers, what it costs, and why it matters now.

From 1 October 2026, NDIS social and community participation budgets can be cut by 50% at your next plan reassessment. Here's what that means for group programs and community access, and what you can do now.

The Senate Committee recommends the NDIS Bill be passed, but the Greens and Senator David Pocock say it should not. We read all 164 pages. Here is what still concerns us, and what you can do before the Senate votes.

Meal prep is one of the most misunderstood parts of an NDIS plan. Here is what the NDIS pays for, what it will not touch, how the meal delivery co-payment works, and the providers people ask us about most.

A person can attend, participate and still feel excluded. Real inclusion is not measured by presence alone. It is measured by whether the environment is safe, flexible and willing to change.

If your child or family member has recently been diagnosed with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, you might be sitting with a lot of questions and not a lot of plain-language answers. Medical reports full of genetic terminology can feel overwhelming, especially when you're still trying to understand what the diagnosis actually means for daily life. This guide is for families, carers, and support teams who want a clear starting point. What Is 16p11.2 Deletion Syndrome? 16p11.2 Deleti

If you are the parent of a child with disability on the Gold Coast, you already know how much work goes into finding the right school. But what about what comes after? At Loving Life Support Services, we work alongside young people and their families every single day. We see first-hand how important the transition out of school is, and how overwhelming it can feel for families who are trying to figure out the next steps. This guide is designed to do two things: give you a cle

Self-managing your NDIS funding is one of the most empowering choices a participant can make. It puts you in control of who you work with, how you spend your funding, and how your supports are organised. It also comes with real responsibilities. And without the right systems in place, it can quickly become stressful and confusing. This guide covers what self-management actually means in practice, what you are responsible for, and how to stay on top of your funding without it

You may have recently seen news about NDIS changes in 2026 and how supports will be funded in the future. If you’re an NDIS participant, parent, or carer, it’s completely normal to have questions about what this means for your current supports and what might change moving forward. The good news is that there are no immediate changes to day-to-day supports, and many of the updates will be introduced gradually over time. This guide breaks down what’s happening, what it means fo

Assistive technology is one of the most useful supports available under the NDIS, but also one of the most misunderstood. People often assume it only refers to expensive equipment like wheelchairs or communication devices. In reality, assistive technology can include simple, everyday items that make life easier, safer, and more independent. If you are unsure what the NDIS will fund, how approvals work, or what you can actually purchase, this guide breaks it down in plain lang

Core funding is designed to support participants with everyday activities and day-to-day life. It is typically used for getting out into the community, support at home, help with personal care, and transport to access activities and appointments. Unlike some other funding categories, Core funding is generally flexible across different support types depending on how your plan is structured. That flexibility is one of its biggest strengths, and one of the main reasons it can fe

April is Autism Month. Across Queensland, communities are coming together to celebrate, raise awareness and take part in initiatives like Autism QLD’s #TrueColours campaign. Campaigns like this play an important role in bringing people together and encouraging meaningful action. Autism Month in QLD isn’t just about recognising autism. It’s about understanding what inclusion actually looks like in everyday life. Awareness vs Understanding Awareness is simple. It’s knowing auti

When people talk about NDIS supports, they usually mean paid services like support workers, therapists, or group programs. But for many participants, the most consistent support comes from the people already in their lives. These are called informal supports. Understanding informal supports in the NDIS is important because they directly impact: How much funding you receive What supports are approved How sustainable your support system is long term What Are Informal Supports i

Independence does not mean doing everything alone. It means having the skills, confidence, and support to make choices and participate in everyday life on your own terms. That is where 1:1 NDIS support makes a real difference. At Loving Life Support Services, our 1:1 NDIS support across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast focuses on building practical life skills in real environments. We do not just assist. We teach, guide, and build genuine capability over time. What is 1:1 ND

When families are choosing NDIS supports, one of the most confusing (and important) things to understand is support ratios. In the NDIS, a support ratio refers to how many participants each support worker is responsible for at a given time. You will often see ratios written as 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3. The right ratio can make the difference between a participant feeling safe, supported, and confident, or overwhelmed and disengaged. This guide explains what the common NDIS support rat