Behaviour support plan reviews: when they happen and what to expect

How often does a behaviour support plan have to be reviewed?

At least every 12 months while a comprehensive plan is in force. For plans with regulated restrictive practices, this is a legal condition on the provider.

Section 22 of the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 says a comprehensive plan with a regulated restrictive practice must be reviewed by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner at least every 12 months. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) expects the same for all comprehensive plans, in its May 2026 policy guidance.

What can trigger an earlier review?

A change in circumstances that means the plan needs to change. For plans with regulated restrictive practices, the Rules say the review must then happen as soon as practicable.

The Commission describes a change in circumstances as any significant change in the risk of harm, or in the person's behaviour, needs, physical or mental health, environment or supports, that means the plan has to be amended. Common examples include:

• a pattern of restrictive practices being used without authorisation
• moving house or other changes in living arrangements
• a change of providers
• new risks of harm, or incidents that are more frequent or more serious
• a change in physical or mental health
• a need to add or change a regulated restrictive practice

You don't have to wait for the yearly review. If something has changed, tell the practitioner and ask whether the plan needs reviewing.

What happens at a behaviour support plan review?

The practitioner looks at what's working, what isn't and what needs to change. They should talk with the person and the people around them, and look closely at the data.

The Commission expects a review to include:

• talking with the person and their family, carers or guardian, in a way that suits them
• talking with other providers, therapists and specialists who are involved
• recent incident reports and other information on behaviour, health and wellbeing, looking for patterns over time
• whether the functional behaviour assessment (FBA) needs updating
• changes to the person's environment that could help
• progress on reducing and stopping any regulated restrictive practices

If a restrictive practice hasn't been reduced as planned, the review should record why and set clear actions, who is responsible and by when. The practitioner should also record what they decided and why, even if nothing changes.

What should a family expect after the review?

An updated plan, or a clear record of why nothing changed. If the plan changed, the practitioner should explain the changes and train the people who use it.

• A copy of the updated plan, in a format that works for you and the person.
• Training for family, support workers and others who use the plan, where it's needed.
• If the plan still has regulated restrictive practices, the practitioner lodges it with the NDIS Commission, generally within two weeks of finalising it.
• A copy of the new plan for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Its behaviour support guideline says you must give it one.

How is progress tracked between reviews?

Through monitoring. This means regularly collecting and looking at information, including incident data, to check the plan is being used as written and is helping.

Monitoring is shared between the specialist behaviour support provider and the people who use the plan, including families, other providers, therapists, doctors and schools. It can draw on:

• records of behaviours of concern, such as how often they happen, how long they last and how intense they are
• incident reports
• any use of regulated restrictive practices, which implementing providers report to the Commission every month
• progress towards the person's goals and quality of life
• whether people are using the strategies the way they were trained

The Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Capability Framework asks practitioners to compare this data with a starting point, called a baseline. It's fair to ask what they're tracking and to see a summary.

What if the behaviour support plan isn't working?

Tell the practitioner early and ask for a review. A plan can struggle because the strategies don't fit, or because they aren't being used as written.

The PBS Capability Framework expects practitioners to tell the difference between a plan that doesn't work and a plan that isn't being used properly. The fix is different for each.

1. Write down what's happening, with dates, and share it with the practitioner.
2. Ask for a review. A change in risk or behaviour can count as a change in circumstances.
3. Ask whether everyone using the plan needs more training.
4. If the person needs more behaviour support than their NDIS plan funds, ask the NDIA for a change to the plan.
5. If your concerns aren't resolved, raise them with the provider. You can then make a complaint to the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544.
6. You can also change to a different registered provider.

If you'd like a fresh set of eyes on a plan, we can connect you with a registered practitioner.