Implementing Thriving Kids
The Centre for Community Child Health (the Centre) recognises Thriving Kids as a unique opportunity to put evidence into action to improve children’s development and empower families. This publication series considers what is required for a strong national approach to equity-focused action.
Thriving Kids should not be a time-limited reform, but a catalyst that brings together all policy opportunities for systems change that strengthens the everyday platforms that are part of family life.
For over 30 years, the Centre has worked to understand and better meet the health, developmental and wellbeing needs of children.
Implementing Thriving Kids is a series written by contributing authors from the Centre and our partner organisations. Together, the ten publications consolidate evidence and practice wisdom from years of experience working with children, families, services and communities.
Read Issue #1 Realising the Vision
- Issue 1 outlines a practical dual-track approach to Thriving Kids - accelerating learning while building the necessary system capability and infrastructure.
- Issues 2-6 explore what implementation might look like across each Thriving Kids domain of support.
- Issues 7-10 examine how system enablers are critical for success.
Issues 1, 3 and 7 are out now.
A vital policy window is open. We have national agreement, policy alignment, real investment and a ready evidence base. Now is the time to build a stronger more equitable future for every child in Australia.
We want to make sure children have a say about Thriving Kids, and we need their help to write our publication titled ‘Children should be part of Thriving Kids, and this is what they told us.’
Learn more about What Thriving Means To Me
If you're a parent and would like to know more about Thriving Kids, Raising Children Network can answer your questions.
August 2026
Authors: Rachel Whiffen, Vikki Leone, Teresa Devine-Hercus, and Sharon Goldfeld.
This issue lays the foundation of the series with a focus on strengthening universal services, identifying the role of parenting and targeted supports, and presenting a dual-track approach to to accelerate implementation.
To be published in September 2026.
August 2026
Authors: Anita D’Aprano, Trina Hinkley, Harriet Hiscock, Vikki Leone, Anna Price, Rachel Whiffen, Kerry Woodward and Anna Vu.
The third issue of the Implementing Thriving Kids series describes how workforce and service uplift is required to ensure all children have access to timely, appropriate and accessible early identification as part of usual care.
To be published in September 2026.
To be published in September 2026.
To be published in September 2026.
September 2026
Authors: Olivia Hilton, Jacqui McCann, Suzanne Long, Trina Hinkley, Christine Imms, Elodie O’Connor, and Sharon Goldfeld.
The seventh issue of the Implementing Thriving Kids series describes how a learning system enables earlier action and better investment decisions, rather than waiting for end-stage findings.
To be published in September 2026.
To be published in November 2026.
We want to make sure children have a say about Thriving Kids, and we need their help to write our publication titled ‘Children should be part of Thriving Kids, and this is what they told us.’
Learn more about What Thriving Means To Me
What children tell us in our survey will directly inform a Voice of the Child Thriving Kids publication, including how children could be meaningfully included in decisions about the initiative.
Read the Parent and Carer Guide first. It explains how to ask the questions so your child's voice can be heard. We also encourage you to give or read the Note for Kids to any child taking part.
The survey closes on 16 October.
To be published in October 2026.