What is Behaviour Support?
Under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, behaviour support is a therapeutic support that helps participants manage behaviours of concern. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour, developing positive strategies, and creating safe environments for participants and their support teams.
The goal of behaviour support is to:
Increase quality of life
Understand behaviour triggers
Meet individual needs in better ways
Reduce and manage behaviours of concern over time
Positive Behaviour Support Strategies
Positive behaviour support focuses on practical strategies to promote wellbeing and reduce behaviours of concern. These may include:
Skill development: teaching new ways to communicate needs (e.g., showing hunger or distress)
Environmental changes: such as calm lighting, quiet spaces, or consistent routines
Support team guidance: providing clear strategies for family, carers, and staff
Sometimes, regulated restrictive practices may be used as a last resort to ensure safety. These are strictly governed by laws and must always aim to be reduced or eliminated over time.
👉 Learn more: NDIS Behaviour Support Overview
What Behaviour Supports Can Be Funded?
NDIS funding can cover behaviour supports that meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. Supports must be provided by registered NDIS providers and can include:
Functional behaviour assessments
Development of behaviour support plans
Training and monitoring for staff implementing a plan
Positive behaviour support training for family or carers
Interim behaviour support plans (short-term plans if restrictive practices are in use)
Behaviour support must always align with NDIS legislation and best practice standards.
Behaviour Assessments
A functional behaviour assessment helps identify:
What triggers behaviours of concern
What the behaviours look like (frequency, intensity, duration)
The consequences of behaviours and what needs they are meeting
This assessment involves discussions with you, your family, support workers, and allied health professionals. It considers cultural, personal, and environmental factors.
Behaviour Support Plans
There are two types of behaviour support plans:
Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan – a detailed, long-term plan with strategies to build skills, guide support teams, and reduce restrictive practices.
Interim Behaviour Support Plan – a short-term plan put in place if restrictive practices are being used, ensuring safety until a comprehensive plan is developed.
Plans are written by NDIS behaviour support practitioners and must be reviewed regularly.
Behaviours of Concern
Behaviours of concern are actions that may put a participant or others at risk. These can include:
Physical or verbal aggression
Self-harm
Property damage
Unsafe impulsive behaviours
Inappropriate sexual behaviours
Importantly, the behaviours are the concern, not the person. Often, behaviours are a way of communicating unmet needs, pain, or frustration.
Example:
Case Study – Daniel’s Story
Daniel, 35, lives in supported accommodation. Every few months, his frustration results in damaging property. Previously, staff used unauthorised restrictive practices to manage his behaviour. With the support of his NDIS behaviour support practitioner, Daniel underwent a functional behaviour assessment. The triggers were identified as changes in routine and difficulties communicating with staff.
A behaviour support plan was developed with strategies for consistent daily routines, improved communication support, and training for staff. Over 12 months, the use of restrictive practices reduced to zero, and Daniel became more engaged in his community.
Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices limit a person’s rights or movement and may include:
Seclusion (isolation)
Chemical restraint (medication)
Physical restraint
Environmental restrictions (e.g., locked doors)
These can only be used when necessary for safety, must comply with legislation, and be included in the participant’s behaviour support plan. The ultimate goal is to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices.
👉 Learn more: NDIS Restrictive Practices Guide
Who Can Provide Behaviour Support?
Only specialist behaviour support providers registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission can deliver these supports. Practitioners must meet strict competency requirements and follow the NDIS Practice Standards.
Training can also be funded for family, carers, or staff to ensure everyone involved understands and uses the strategies effectively.
How to Access Behaviour Support
You may need behaviour support funding if:
Your family, school, or support coordinator raises concerns
Providers or support workers submit reports
You request additional supports during your NDIS plan meeting
Evidence may include allied health reports, incident reports, or behaviour assessments.
Once approved, behaviour support funding appears in your NDIS plan and can be used to engage registered providers.
Disputes and Reviews
If behaviour support is not included in your plan, the NDIS will provide written reasons. You can request an internal review within three months if you disagree.
👉 Learn more: NDIS Reviews and Appeals
Final Thoughts
Behaviour support is about understanding, supporting, and empowering people with disability. With the right assessments, strategies, and plans, participants can enjoy improved safety, independence, and quality of life.
At Complete Money Management, we help participants navigate their plans and funding so they can access the supports they need.
➡️ Contact us today to learn how we can support your NDIS journey.
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By Complete Money Management
Your partner in navigating the NDIS with confidence.
www.completemoney.com.au