Australia news live: ATO finds one-quarter of big firms pay zero tax; NDIS alternative Thriving Kids program begins

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From today, children under nine years old with mild developmental delays and autism can access early intervention services through a program called Thriving Kids, which is administered by state and territory governments.

The change was announced by the Albanese government in August 2025 and will slowly move children off the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It will fully replace the NDIS for these children by 2028.

Unlike the NDIS, participation in Thriving Kids won’t require a formal diagnosis, potentially speeding up services and saving families money.

The health minister, Mark Butler, recently told parents there would be no gap in government support for their children.

Queensland is the sole Australian state refusing to sign on to the Thriving Kids program, leaving families in limbo as the first phase of the NDIS replacement scheme launches.

You can read more details about the change here:

More than one-quarter of big companies operating in Australia paid no income tax in 2024-25, according to the Australian Taxation Office’s latest corporate transparency report.

We look very closely if there’s no tax being paid in significant industries, including things like data centres, to make sure that the level of tax being paid reflects the economic activity that’s happening in Australia.