What is NDIS Positive Behaviour Support?
NDIS Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred, evidence-based approach to understanding and addressing behaviours of concern. Rather than simply managing or suppressing difficult behaviours, PBS asks why a behaviour occurs — and addresses the underlying unmet needs, communication challenges, or environmental factors driving it.
PBS is delivered by a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner who is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The process begins with a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), which informs a tailored Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) — a detailed roadmap for the participant, their family, and support workers to follow consistently across all settings.
PBS is relevant for participants of all ages whose disability-related behaviours significantly affect their safety, wellbeing, or participation in daily life. It is particularly important when restrictive practices are being used, as these must be authorised, documented, and actively reduced under NDIS rules.
Behaviour support is funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget in your NDIS plan, separate from your Core Supports. Participants who need behaviour support as part of their plan can request this funding category at their next planning meeting or plan review.
What Does a Behaviour Support Plan Include?
A comprehensive NDIS Behaviour Support Plan is far more than a set of rules. It is a living document developed collaboratively with the participant, their family, and support team — and it must be reviewed and updated regularly.
Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
The FBA identifies the antecedents (triggers), the behaviour itself, and the consequences that maintain the behaviour. Observations, interviews, and data collection are used to determine the function — whether the behaviour is driven by sensory needs, escape, attention, access to preferred items, or communication deficits.
BSP Development & Goals
Drawing on the FBA, the practitioner develops proactive strategies (environmental adjustments, teaching replacement behaviours), reactive strategies (de-escalation steps), and a crisis response plan. Measurable goals are set to track progress over time and demonstrate improved quality of life outcomes.
Restrictive Practices Oversight
If any restrictive practices are in use, the BSP must document them, include authorisation evidence under WA state law, and outline a clear reduction and elimination plan. The practitioner is responsible for ensuring compliance with NDIS Commission reporting obligations and state authorisation requirements.
Staff & Carer Training
Effective PBS depends on consistent implementation. The practitioner provides training and coaching to support workers, family members, and other carers so everyone uses the same strategies. This training is funded from the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget.
Regular Review & Monitoring
BSPs are not set-and-forget documents. The practitioner monitors progress through data collection and regular check-ins, adjusting strategies as the participant's needs or circumstances change. Plans must be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if behaviours escalate, if there is a major life transition, or if a restrictive practice incident occurs.
Who Needs NDIS Behaviour Support?
NDIS Positive Behaviour Support is appropriate for participants of any age whose disability-related behaviours significantly affect their own safety, the safety of others, or their ability to participate in daily life — including at home, school, work, or in the community.
Behaviours of concern that commonly lead to a referral for PBS include self-injurious behaviour (such as head-banging or biting), physical aggression toward others, property destruction, unsafe elopement, and significant non-compliance that prevents engagement in essential daily routines.
Disabilities for which PBS is frequently required include:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — sensory overload, communication challenges, and rigid routines can all drive behaviours of concern
- Intellectual Disability — limited communication capacity increases the risk of behaviour as a primary means of expressing distress
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) — behavioural changes following brain injury often require structured PBS support
- Psychosocial Disability — mental health conditions that have a long-term functional impact may also benefit from PBS approaches
- Dual Diagnosis — participants with both an intellectual disability and a mental health condition often present with complex behavioural profiles
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from behaviour support. Early intervention through PBS — before behaviours become entrenched — leads to significantly better outcomes and reduces the need for restrictive practices over time.
NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner Requirements
Not everyone who calls themselves a behaviour support practitioner is authorised to develop NDIS Behaviour Support Plans. Under NDIS rules, practitioners must be assessed and registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission at one of four capability levels.
| Level | Scope of Practice |
|---|---|
| Core | Can provide PBS under clinical supervision for participants with low-complexity needs and no or minimal restrictive practices. |
| Proficient | Can independently develop BSPs for participants with moderate complexity, including plans that authorise some restrictive practices. |
| Advanced | Experienced practitioners who manage complex cases including participants in supported residential settings with significant restrictive practice use. |
| Specialist | The highest level, typically with postgraduate qualifications in behaviour analysis or psychology, for the most complex and high-risk presentations. |
When engaging a practitioner in Perth, always verify their current registration status via the NDIS Commission's practitioner register. The level of registration required depends directly on the complexity of your or your family member's support needs.
How to Get Behaviour Support in Your NDIS Plan
- 1
Get a Functional Assessment
Your GP, paediatrician, or existing allied health professional can provide a functional assessment or supporting letter documenting how the behaviour impacts your daily life. This evidence supports your request for behaviour support funding in your NDIS plan.
- 2
Request Capacity Building — Improved Relationships
At your NDIS planning meeting or plan review, request that behaviour support be included under the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships support category. Bring your functional evidence and be specific about the behaviours of concern and how they affect daily participation. A Support Coordinator can advocate for this funding on your behalf.
- 3
Choose a Registered Practitioner
Use the NDIS Provider Finder or ask your Support Coordinator to identify a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth who works with your disability type and age group. Verify their registration level matches your complexity needs. A service agreement is signed before work commences.
- 4
BSP Development
The practitioner conducts the FBA, consults with your support network, and develops the Behaviour Support Plan. An Interim BSP is provided quickly for immediate guidance while the comprehensive plan is finalised. The plan is shared with all relevant parties — support workers, family, school, or day program staff — and training is provided.
- 5
Review Cycle
The practitioner monitors progress through regular check-ins and data review, typically every 3–6 months. The plan is formally reviewed at least annually or after any significant incident. Effective PBS progressively reduces the need for restrictive practices and builds the participant's independence and quality of life over time.
Our Full Range of NDIS Services:
Assistance with Self-Care
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Dressing and grooming
- Meal preparation support
- Medication management
Community Participation
- Social group activities
- Assistance with volunteering
- Recreational outings
- Skill-building workshops
Travel and Transport
- Safe travel assistance
- Accompanied appointments
- Transport to community events
- Assistance with public transport
Frequently Asked Questions — NDIS Behaviour Support Perth
Ready to Start NDIS Behaviour Support in Perth?
Whether you need help understanding what behaviour support funding you are eligible for, guidance on finding the right registered practitioner, or general NDIS support coordination across Joondalup, Stirling, or Wanneroo — Help Alliance is here to help. Contact our team today for a no-obligation conversation.