NDIS behaviour support practitioners: what they do and how to find one
A behaviour support practitioner assesses behaviours of concern and writes behaviour support plans for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission decides who is suitable to do this work. Practitioners work out why a behaviour happens, then plan practical ways to meet the person's needs. NDIS funding for this can only be used with a registered specialist behaviour support provider.
Practitioners use positive behaviour support (PBS). It focuses on the person's quality of life. It starts by understanding the reasons behind their behaviour, then looks for better ways to meet their needs.
What does a behaviour support practitioner do?
They find out why a behaviour of concern happens and write a plan to help the person and the people around them. Then they help put the plan into action and check that things are getting better.
Behaviours of concern are behaviours that happen often enough, strongly enough or for long enough to put the person or others at risk of harm. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) puts it plainly in its guideline: the behaviours are the concern, not the person.
- Meeting the person and getting to know what matters to them
- Doing a behaviour support assessment, including a functional behaviour assessment (FBA), to work out what triggers a behaviour and what keeps it going
- Writing an interim or comprehensive behaviour support plan (BSP)
- Training family, carers and support workers to use the strategies in the plan
- Checking how the plan is going and reviewing it
- Working to reduce and stop any restrictive practices
Who can be an NDIS behaviour support practitioner?
Only someone the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) has assessed and found suitable. Until then, they can't do behaviour support assessments or write behaviour support plans for NDIS participants, even under supervision.
The Commission assesses people against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. It makes one of three decisions: suitable, not suitable, or unable to make a decision.
A suitable practitioner must also work for a registered NDIS provider, or be registered as a provider themselves, for example as a sole trader. That provider must be registered for specialist behaviour support, which is registration group 0110.
Registered provider, suitable practitioner
The NDIA says it can't fund behaviour support from providers that aren't registered with the NDIS Commission, or from practitioners the Commission hasn't approved.
Need a practitioner?
We'll connect you with a registered provider near you who has space.
What are the practitioner capability levels?
The PBS Capability Framework describes four levels: core, proficient, advanced and specialist. The NDIS Commission doesn't assign or endorse these levels. On the self-assessment pathway, practitioners assess themselves against the framework and a supervisor endorses their evidence.
| Level | What the framework expects |
|---|---|
| Core | Entry level. Applies PBS ideas in general situations and works under supervision from a practitioner rated proficient or above. Shouldn't recommend restrictive practices on their own. |
| Proficient | Analyses information, judges the quality of behaviour support plans, and can supervise core practitioners if they have the skills to. |
| Advanced | Makes decisions in complex situations, leads practice, and can supervise practitioners at all levels. |
| Specialist | Known for a specialty, such as trauma-informed practice, dual diagnosis, or a particular age group or cultural group. |
The framework also has seven capability domains: interim response, functional assessment, planning, implementation, know it works, reducing and eliminating restrictive practice, and professional development and supervision.
It's reasonable to ask a practitioner which level they work at and who supervises them, especially if restrictive practices are involved.
How do I check a practitioner is approved?
Get the practitioner's name and the name of the provider they work for, then check both with the NDIS Commission. It has a search tool for practitioners and a list of registered providers.
- Ask the practitioner which registered provider they work for, if they haven't told you.
- Search the Commission's "Find an NDIS behaviour support practitioner" tool. It only lists practitioners who agreed to publish their details, so a missing name isn't always a problem. Ask the practitioner about it.
- Look up the provider on the Commission's "Find a registered provider" page and check it's registered for specialist behaviour support.
How do I find a behaviour support practitioner near me?
Start with the NDIS Provider Finder, your support coordinator, your local area coordinator or your my NDIS contact. You can also ask us to connect you with a registered practitioner.
The NDIS Commission publishes guidance on delivering behaviour support remotely, which it calls Tele PBS. If there's no one close by, ask which parts of the work could happen by video and which need a visit.
When you first talk to a practitioner, these questions can help:
- Which registered provider do you work for?
- How soon could you start?
- Will you visit the places where the behaviours happen, like home or school?
- How will you involve our family and support workers?
- What will you charge for, and what goes in the service agreement?
We're an independent matching service, not a provider. If you tell us what's going on, we can connect you with a registered practitioner.
How is a behaviour support practitioner paid for?
From the capacity building part of an NDIS plan. Older plans list it under Improved Relationships. Plans made in the NDIA's newer computer system have a separate Behaviour Support category.
The NDIA can fund assessments, interim and comprehensive plans, training and monitoring for staff who use a plan, and positive behaviour support training for family or carers. This funding can only be used with a registered specialist behaviour support provider. Our page on NDIS behaviour support funding explains how it works with each type of plan management.
How do I become a behaviour support practitioner?
You apply to the NDIS Commission to be found suitable. There are two pathways, depending on how much positive behaviour support experience you have.
- Self-assessment pathway: you assess yourself against the PBS Capability Framework, and a supervisor endorses your portfolio of evidence.
- New entry-level pathway: for people with less than 6 months of positive behaviour support experience, or limited evidence. You work under a supervisor rated proficient or above, with a professional development plan and a supervision agreement.
You'll need a valid NDIS worker screening clearance. The full steps are on the Commission's "Apply to become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner" page.
If you're already an NDIS behaviour support practitioner and have room for new clients, see our For practitioners page at /for-practitioners.
Questions people ask
Can a family member write a behaviour support plan?
No. Only an NDIS behaviour support practitioner can do the assessment and write the plan. Family members and support workers help by sharing what they know and recording what happens.
Can I choose my own behaviour support practitioner?
Yes. You can choose any practitioner who works with a specialist behaviour support provider registered with the NDIS Commission. You can also change provider if it isn't working.
Does the NDIS Commission rank practitioners?
No. It decides whether a person is suitable. It doesn't endorse capability levels, so a practitioner's level is based on their own assessment and their supervisor's view.
Can a behaviour support practitioner work by video?
Some of the work can. The NDIS Commission has guidance on delivering positive behaviour support remotely. Ask the practitioner which parts they'd do in person.
Is a behaviour support practitioner the same as a support worker?
No. The practitioner assesses and writes the plan. Support workers and other providers put the plan into practice day to day, with training from the practitioner.
Keep reading
- Behaviour support plansWhat goes in an NDIS behaviour support plan, how interim and comprehensive plans differ, the 1 and 6 month timeframes, who writes it and when it gets reviewed.
- Functional behaviour assessmentWhat happens in a functional behaviour assessment (FBA) under the NDIS, who's involved, how information is gathered, and how it shapes a behaviour support plan.
- How behaviour support is fundedHow positive behaviour support is funded by the NDIS: which budget it comes from, getting it into your plan, and what changes if you self, plan or NDIA manage.
- How it worksHow we connect you with a practitioner, and what happens to your details.
- For practitionersRegistered providers with space for new clients: get referrals near you.
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