The Australian government has officially launched the 'Thriving Kids' program, an initiative designed to provide early intervention services for children under nine years old who have mild developmental delays or autism. Announced earlier this year by the Albanese administration, the program is intended to transition these children away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by 2028. A key feature of the new system is that it does not require a formal medical diagnosis to access services, which officials hope will reduce costs for families and decrease wait times for support.

Simultaneously, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released data indicating that approximately one-quarter of large corporations in Australia paid zero income tax during the most recent reporting period. This finding has drawn attention to the complexities of corporate tax compliance and the use of tax deductions or losses to offset liabilities. While the government is focusing on social service reform, the tax data highlights ongoing public and political debate regarding the tax contributions of major business entities in the country.