Specialist Positive Behaviour Support
NDIS Capacity Building support
A specialist practitioner works to understand the reasons behind behaviours of concern and develops a positive behaviour support plan that focuses on the person’s needs and quality of life.
The short answer
A specialist practitioner works to understand the reasons behind behaviours of concern and develops a positive behaviour support plan focused on the person's needs and quality of life.
About Specialist Positive Behaviour Support
Behaviours of concern, such as aggression, self-injury or withdrawal, often have a reason. They may be a way of communicating, a response to pain, stress or an environment that does not suit, or the result of unmet needs. Positive behaviour support looks for the reasons and focuses on meeting the person's needs.
A behaviour support practitioner assesses the person, observes them in different settings and talks with the people who know them. They then write a plan that explains the reasons and sets out strategies, such as changes to the environment, teaching new skills and ways to respond that keep everyone safe. The plan is reviewed as needs change.
Behaviour support practitioners must meet requirements set by the NDIS Commission, and there are rules about the use of restrictive practices. Ask about their approach, how they involve the person and family and how they work with the people who will put the plan into practice.
Who is this service for?
People whose behaviour puts them or others at risk, or limits their life, and who need a specialist to work out why and develop a plan.
What a typical session looks like
A specialist behaviour support practitioner begins by getting to know the person, their history, their communication and the situations in which behaviours of concern occur. They observe, talk with the person and people who know them well, and gather information about what may be triggering or maintaining the behaviour.
From this they write a positive behaviour support plan, which explains the reasons for the behaviour and sets out strategies to prevent it, teach new skills and respond safely. They also train the people who support the person and review the plan regularly. Where restrictive practices are involved, they must follow legal requirements and be reported.
Who delivers this support
Behaviour support practitioners need to meet the standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They often have backgrounds in psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology or social work. Ask about their registration status, their experience with your situation and how they involve the person and family.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about the practitioner's qualifications and experience.
- Find out how they involve the person and the people who know them best.
- Check how they will work with the workers who implement the plan.
- Ask how they handle restrictive practices and oversight.
- Ask how the plan will be reviewed.
Questions to ask a provider
- Are you a registered behaviour support practitioner?
- How do you find out why the behaviour is happening?
- How will the person and their family be involved?
- How will the plan be shared and taught to those who support the person?
- How do you approach restrictive practices, and how are they reported?
- How often will the plan be reviewed?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Looking for a quick fix rather than understanding the reasons for the behaviour.
- Not involving the person in the plan.
- Leaving the plan on a shelf without training the people who support the person.
- Using restrictive practices without proper authorisation.
- Not reviewing the plan when things change.
Getting started
- Talk to your planner or support coordinator about behaviour support.
- Contact practitioners and ask about their approach.
- Share information about the behaviours, when they occur and what has been tried.
- Agree how the plan will be shared and reviewed.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
The plan is put into practice by support workers and family, so it connects closely with behaviour support implementation. It also relates to therapy, communication supports and environmental changes, since many behaviours are a response to unmet needs. Regular reviews make sure the plan keeps pace with the person's changing needs.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Specialist Positive Behaviour Support if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Specialist Positive Behaviour Support is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Specialist Positive Behaviour Support that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Behaviour support providers on the NDIS register
2,149 NDIS providers list behaviour support supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing behaviour support
- 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
- 17 Solutions - WA; includes Geraldton, WA; Lesmurdie, WA; Northam, WA
- 1st Care Community - QLD; includes Acacia Ridge, QLD
- 2 Include Enterprise - NSW; includes Gymea, NSW
- 247 Divine Healthcare - QLD; includes Middle Ridge, QLD
- 2b Inclusive - SA; includes Elizabeth, SA; Kilkenny, SA; Mawson Lakes, SA
- 360 Health Management - VIC; includes Shepparton, VIC
- 360 Southwest - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC
- 360 Support Coordination 360 Community S - NSW, VIC; includes Albury, NSW; Benalla, VIC; Bendigo, VIC
- 3D Care - NSW; includes Abbotsbury, NSW
See all 2,149 behaviour support providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (742)
- Victoria (538)
- Queensland (424)
- South Australia (277)
- Western Australia (228)
- Tasmania (72)
- Australian Capital Territory (46)
- Northern Territory (43)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (124)
- Melbourne, VIC (105)
- Sydney, NSW (84)
- Adelaide, SA (68)
- Perth, WA (61)
- Central Coast, NSW (59)
- Geelong, VIC (56)
- Parramatta, NSW (54)
- Blacktown, NSW (46)
- Werribee, VIC (45)
- Ipswich, QLD (44)
- Liverpool, NSW (44)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
- Easy Care Support Services - 105 areas
- Elite Care NSW - 103 areas
- United for Care - 103 areas
- Full Life Occupational Therapy - 91 areas
- Clover Leaf Sanctuary - 87 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
- Speech pathology
- Study and learning skills
- Support Connection (Level 1)
Frequently asked questions
What is positive behaviour support?
An approach that looks for the reasons behind behaviours of concern and focuses on meeting the person's needs and improving their quality of life, rather than on punishment or control.
Who can provide specialist behaviour support?
Behaviour support practitioners, often psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists or social workers with specialist experience, who must meet requirements set by the NDIS Commission.
What is a behaviour support plan?
A written plan that describes the person's needs, the reasons behind behaviours and the strategies everyone should use. It is reviewed as needs change.
Is positive behaviour support about punishment?
No. It focuses on understanding the reasons and meeting needs, not punishment or control.
Who writes the plan?
A behaviour support practitioner, with input from the person and those around them.
Can family be involved?
Yes. Family knowledge is valuable, and consistency helps.
What does positive behaviour support aim to achieve?
It is an approach that tries to understand why a behaviour happens and to build skills, environments and responses that improve the person's quality of life and reduce the need for the behaviour.
What is a restrictive practice?
It is any action that restricts a person's rights or freedom of movement, such as physical restraint or locking a door. There are strict rules about when they can be used and how they are reported.
Who should see the behaviour support plan?
The person, their family and the workers who support them need to know the plan and be trained in it. Sharing it is essential for consistency.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Specialist Positive Behaviour Support?
If Specialist Positive Behaviour Support is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Specialist Positive Behaviour Support provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.