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No child left behind, Report into the Thriving Kids initiative
The announcement of the Thriving Kids Initiative has been received with mixed feelings by many in the sector. While there is broad agreement that many kids with developmental delays and disabilities experience difficulty getting the support that they need, there was a general fear as well that the established avenues for accessing support would be stripped away before a good system was set up to support them in the community. Current funding models are fragmented and inequitable, leaving families to navigate long waitlists and prohibitive costs, while psychologists remain constrained by systemic barriers.
AAPi played an active role in the inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative, providing evidence both in writing and through in-person testimony. Our contributions were cited at multiple points throughout the report, which was released shortly before Christmas, including:
- We highlighted systemic gaps in access to psychological services and the urgent need for reform.
- We proposed utilising provisional psychologists in rural and remote placements, supported by trained supervisors and paid work opportunities, to address workforce shortages and improve retention in underserved areas.
- We also stressed the importance of targeted training and incentives, expanded Medicare rebates that reflect the true cost of assessments, and removing unnecessary referral and diagnostic barriers to current assessment items.
Our recommendations emphasised embedding culturally safe, neurodiversity-affirming practices and ensuring seamless transitions across health, education, and disability systems.
Summary of the Thriving Kids Report
The Thriving Kids initiative aims to create an inclusive, evidence-based framework to support children with developmental concerns, disabilities, and diverse needs. The report emphasises co-design with stakeholders, including peak bodies, First Nations representatives, and culturally diverse communities. Key structural recommendations include establishing a Thriving Kids Advisory Council, implementing phased rollouts with safeguards to prevent loss of supports, and ensuring foundational supports are fully operational before transitioning from existing systems like the NDIS. The initiative prioritises transparency, integrated planning, and robust governance, including the appointment of an Inspector-General for the NDIS to strengthen oversight and accountability.
Recommendations Relevant to Psychologists
Several recommendations directly impact psychological practice. These include:
- Creating a single portal of entry with multiple referral pathways for children
- Expanding access to psychological assessments via Medicare
- Embedding neurodiversity-affirming, culturally safe, family-centred models
Workforce development is also a major focus, with calls for multidisciplinary teams, particularly in regional and remote areas, supported by hub-and-spoke service delivery models. The report also advocates for Medicare item numbers for developmental checks and annual reviews involving allied health professionals, which would facilitate collaborative care and early intervention - critical areas for psychologists working with children and families.
It is important to note that this report does not guarantee that these initiatives will be implemented by Government. While the Government has committed to developing Thriving Kids, the approach and scope of this work remains at its discretion. The Government is required to formally respond to the report within six months of its publication.
We look forward to this response and will continue to advocate for meaningful, evidence-informed action that delivers real outcomes for children, families and the professionals who support them.
You can read the full report and recommendations here.
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December was a stellar month for AAPi's media coverage, with a total of 232 clips media clips, reaching an audience of over 6 million.
Some of the highlights included:
- Sahra O'Doherty on ABC radio discussing coping strategies following the Bondi massacre; her comments also featured on Pedestrian.
- Advice from AAPi Director Daniela McCann on the under-16 social media ban was featured in 9Honey, Kiddipedia and Parenthood 360, with the story published across more than 60 online newspapers.
- AAPi's call for disaster item numbers to be made permanent featured in a number of newspapers including Perth Now.
- AAPi Director Dr Katrina Norris' letter to the editor about psychological workers claims, in the AFR.
- Executive Director Tegan Carrison's letter to the edited about Australia's broken mental health system, featured in The Canberra Times.
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GPs to diagnose ADHD in NSW
AAPi President Sahra O'Doherty spoke to ABC's Life Matters program on the NSW policy changes that will soon allow both adults and children to see their GP for ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Sahra underscored that a collaborative, holistic approach between GPs and psychologists is key to accurate diagnosis and effective patient care, and called for Medicare funding to be extended to psychologists for ADHD assessments.
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Grok, and how the algorithms aren’t psychologically safe for any of us
This article by AAPi's Carly Dober was featured in Women's Agenda, on the dangers of generative AI, calling for stronger, platform-independent legislation, investment in digital literacy, and broader action on social and systemic harms. Carly argues that temporary restrictions on children’s social media use cannot address the long-term risks posed by AI and online platforms.
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Under 16 social media ban
AAPi Director Rachel Samson spoke to radio FIVEAA on the early impacts of Australia’s under-16 social media ban, explaining that whilst it is too soon to assess measurable mental health outcomes, strong reactions are emerging from both teenagers and parents. Rachel highlighted that the ban itself won’t teach digital literacy; we still need to actively equip young people with the skills to navigate social media safely.
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Psychologist's warning about extreme thinness trend
AAPi Policy Coordinator Carly Dober authored this article in the Herald Sun warning that the re-emergence of extreme thinness as a cultural ideal, particularly in Hollywood and influencer spaces, is causing significant harm to people living with or recovering from eating disorders. Carly calls for a more compassionate, systems-focused public conversation that critiques harmful beauty standards rather than individual bodies, while advocating for better access to evidence-based information, mental health funding, and eating disorder care.
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The effects of alcohol on the brain
AAPi Director Rachel Samson is featured in this Guardian article on what happens to the brain when people drink alcohol. The article discusses the psychological effects of blackouts, including feelings of disorientation and embarrassment, and highlights that despite cultural normalisation, alcohol clearly alters brain function.
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Each month, AAPi members gain complimentary access to an additional reference book for that month. The book for January is 'Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician’s Guide'.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician's Guide provides comprehensive, clinically relevant information for mental health practitioners and professionals in educational, vocational, legal, child welfare, and correctional settings who may encounter individuals with a hidden disability that compromises their success in career, family, and life. The author is a noted scholar and clinician in the field of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and the book fills a glaring gap in the training literature on prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE).
Members can access the book for the month of January, here.
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The Australian Government has introduced the Medicare Mental Health Check-In (formerly known as the National Early Intervention service), a free, early-intervention digital mental health service for people experiencing mild mental health challenges or transient distress.
The service provides low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy delivered via telehealth by trained practitioners (including psychologists), alongside self-guided online tools. It is available to people aged 16 years and over, with no GP referral or diagnosis required. The service is free to users.
Access is coordinated through the Medicare Mental Health phone service (1800 595 212), which determines suitability and directs people to appropriate supports. Practitioner-delivered sessions will commence from 30 March 2026, with self-guided digital programs available from 30 May 2026 as part of a staged national rollout.
The Check-In service is designed to complement, not replace, existing Medicare-funded psychological care, supporting earlier free access to support.
Further information:
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The NSW Department of Communities and Justice is seeking input to build a clearer picture of services supporting children with developmental delay and/or autism across NSW. An exploratory Request for Information has been released on buy NSW to gather insights from organisations about current service availability, geographic coverage, and capacity to expand or deliver additional supports.
Submissions close: 3pm, 6 February 2026
Members are encouraged to share this opportunity within their networks.
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Newest featured listings on the AAPi Marketplace include:
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✅ Looking for rooms to rent?
✅ Research opportunities to support psychological research and contribute to the profession?
✅ Events and training?
✅ Or the latest grants and funding opportunities?
The AAPi Marketplace is your go-to hub for what’s available right now.
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Government Announces Mental Health Support After Bondi Attack
The federal government announced an investment of $42.6 million in immediate mental health supports following the Bondi Beach attack, in collaboration with the NSW Government. Most elements of the package will be funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with the packaged delivering immediate financial assistance, expanded victim support services and targeted business help, recognising the profound emotional, social and economic toll of the attack.
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Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia launches new First Nations Hub
Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) has launched a new First Nations Hub to showcase culturally appropriate, evidence-based practices in aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Hub brings together innovative care models, workforce recruitment and training initiatives, community-led case studies, and stories of inspirational leadership, linking these to ARIIA’s research and evidence summaries to support the aged care workforce.
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NSW: Defence Fined Over RAAF Worker’s Death
The Department of Defence has been convicted and fined $188,000 after a Royal Australian Air Force technician took his own life at RAAF Base Williamtown in July 2020. This marks the first time a Commonwealth employer has been penalised for failing to manage psychosocial risks under federal work health and safety laws. Defence admitted it did not provide supervisors with training to identify and address psychosocial hazards, despite the worker showing clear signs of distress during performance management, and the court also issued an adverse publicity order.
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National Dementia Action Plan 2024–34
The National Dementia Action Plan sets out a 10-year roadmap to improve the quality of life and care for people living with dementia in Australia. More than 400,000 Australians are currently affected, with numbers expected to more than double by 2058. The Plan outlines eight key actions focused on equity, awareness, early diagnosis, coordinated care, workforce capability and support for carers, and will be delivered through staged implementation plans from 2025, monitored via a national dashboard.
Explore the full Action Plan and related resources to see how governments, services and communities can support people living with dementia, their families and carers.
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TAS: Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme
The Tasmanian state government has announced the establishment of a Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme to acknowledge and address the profound and ongoing harm experienced by mothers who were subjected to forced adoption practices in Tasmania up until the 1980s. The scheme recognises the lasting pain, grief and loss caused by these practices and is now open for consultation. It is expected to include a one-off fixed payment of $65,000, access to counselling, wellbeing and psychological support services up to $10,000, and an avenue for a direct personal response, such as an apology, to affected mothers. Consultation is now open, with registered individuals and organisations to be contacted directly, and will remain open until 15 February 2026.
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NT: Northern Territory to Cease Puberty Blockers for Under-18s
The Northern Territory Government has announced it will cease access to puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for people under 18 through the public health system. The change applies to public health services only.
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ACT: 2025-2030 Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Regional Plan
The 2025-2030 ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan has now been released. Developed to address the mental health needs of the ACT community in line with the 5th National Mental Health Plan, the plan has been co-created with peak bodies, Canberra Health Services, the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing, and the ACT community, to provide an overarching framework to guide the development, coordination, and sustainability of mental health and suicide prevention services across the region.
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Are you ready to take the next step in your psychology career? Look no further!
Applications are open for Psychological Science (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma). These online courses are designed to cater to aspiring psychology professionals seeking flexibility and accessibility across Australia.
The best part?
- No minimum WAM required
- Flexible online study mode
- No background in Psychology required for the GradDip
- Guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Cairnmillar*
Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future and explore the fascinating world of psychology and APPLY NOW!
*WAM requirements for specific units apply.
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