Dr Ali Drummond
Chief Executive Officer
Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM)
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CATSINaM Submission: Thriving Kids Australia
We appreciate the Australian Government decision to restore the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to its original purpose in supporting people with permanent and significant disability and ensuring the Scheme remains sustainable.
As the peak membership body representing and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses, midwives, and students we would like to express considerations and recommendations for this initiative.
Exacerbation of health inequities and systemic barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
While promising in its aim to provide foundational supports for children aged 0–8 with mild to moderate developmental concerns, the Thriving Kids Australia initiative raises critical concerns for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The proposal to “scale back” care for those not meeting strict disability definitions risks exacerbating existing health inequities, particularly early childhood development support services, which undermines the Closing the Gap (CTG) priority reforms.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience disproportionate health inequities compared to non-Indigenous Australians with social determinants such as employment, income, and education accounting for around 35% of the health gap1. These determinants are deeply intertwined with access to early childhood development and disability support services; regardless of the severity. Additionally, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) data shows that 25.3% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with disability, and 70.7% of those aged 5 and over face schooling or employment restrictions2. These figures highlight the need for inclusive, proactive support systems, not scaled-back services. Reducing access to care based on narrow definitions of disability ignores the complex interplay of social, cultural, and systemic factors that shape health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework: Summary report. https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/report-overview/overview/summary-report 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025, February 25). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with disability, 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-disability-2022
Thriving Kids Australia must invest in culturally safe, equitable, integrated models of care
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has consistently advo- redacted: s22 ma-aware and healing-informed3. redacted: s22 ginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs), are best placed to de- redacted: s22 und care that integrates child health nurses, multidisciplinary teams, and Nurse Practi- redacted: s22 ecially in under-serviced areas. These models and approaches align with CATSINaM’s call for health professionals to work to their full scope of practice and for systems that embed continuity of care and cultural safety4. Any national initiative, including Thriving Kids, must ensure the Closing the Gap priority reforms5 are upheld by:
- Ensuring Indigenous governance and leadership in program design and delivery.
- Investing in Indigenous-led health services and workforce development, including nurses and midwives at all levels of practice.
3 National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. (2025). Disability advocacy and culturally safe NDIS services. https://www.naccho.org.au/disability/ 4 Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2024). Unleashing the potential of our health workforce – Scope of Practice Review. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/scope-of-practice-review 5 Australian Government. (n.d.). Priority reforms – National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Closing the Gap. https://www.closingthegap.gov.au/national-agreement/priority-reforms