National Agreement on Foundational Supports

The Commonwealth and state and territory governments jointly fund and deliver additional disability supports to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and mainstream services. The National Agreement on Foundational Supports 2026–31[PDF 430 KB | DOCX 371 KB] commenced on 2 February 2026 and is a five-year agreement between the Commonwealth and states that strengthens the broader disability support system outside of the NDIS.

This Agreement falls under the Heads of Agreement on the National Health Reform Agreement, National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms Health and Disability Reforms and Foundational Supports signed by each state and territory, and the shared commitment of the Commonwealth and the states to achieve disability reform outcomes.

Foundational Supports contributes towards a connected ecosystem of accessible, inclusive supports for all people with disability including:

• General supports that deliver access to quality information, advice and services that seek to build the connection and capacity of all people with:
  • disability aged under 65
  • children with additional developmental support needs
  • their families, carers and kin.
• Targeted supports that are positioned between mainstream services and specialist supports accessed through the NDIS.

Funding arrangements for national priority cohorts will be agreed in writing through bilateral agreements signed and agreed by relevant Parties.

Bilateral Agreements on Thriving Kids

The first phase of supports to be delivered under the National Agreement on Foundational Supports will be Thriving Kids. The bilateral agreements on Thriving Kids will support the delivery of services, supports and information for children aged 8 years and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers, and kin.

The following states and territories have signed bilateral agreements under the National Agreement on Foundational Supports: