Thriving Kids, which will replace the National Disability Insurance Scheme for most children with autism, will not require a clinical diagnosis for children to get support, the Federal Government says.

Announcing new details about Thriving Kids on Tuesday, Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said that making a “formal” diagnosis the gateway to funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) had become the main frustration point for families.

“The thing people have complained most about the operation of the NDIS for this cohort is the need for a formal diagnosis, which can take years to access and cost thousands of dollars, before parents are given any support for their children,” Mr Butler said.

“Thriving Kids will be easy to access. It will not require a formal diagnosis.”