Understanding behaviour can be one of the most important steps toward better support and quality of life. When behaviours become distressing or unsafe, families often feel unsure where to turn.
NDIS Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is designed to help. It focuses on understanding why behaviours happen and building practical strategies that help participants feel safer, more supported, and more in control.
This guide explains how Positive Behaviour Support works under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), when it may be recommended and how participants can access it.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support Under the NDIS?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach funded by the NDIS to help people who experience behaviours that may put themselves or others at risk.
Rather than focusing on punishment or control, PBS aims to understand the reasons behind behaviour. The goal is to identify what a person may be communicating or experiencing and support them in safer, more positive ways.
PBS under the NDIS typically focuses on:
- Understanding what triggers certain behaviours
- Identifying unmet needs or communication barriers
- Teaching new skills and coping strategies
- Creating supportive environments
- Improving overall wellbeing and independence
The approach is person-centred and focuses on improving quality of life for the participant, their family, and the people who support them.
What Are “Behaviours of Concern”?
Within the NDIS, the term behaviours of concern refers to behaviours that may cause harm to the person themselves, to others or to property.
These behaviours are often a form of communication. They may occur when someone is overwhelmed, experiencing pain, struggling to communicate or facing environments that do not meet their needs.
Examples can include:
- Physical aggression toward others
- Self-injurious behaviours such as hitting or biting
- Damage to property
- Extreme distress or emotional outbursts
- Withdrawal or shutdown responses
- Repetitive or disruptive behaviours
Not every challenging behaviour requires formal behaviour support. However, when behaviour is frequent, unsafe or limiting participation in daily life, Positive Behaviour Support may be recommended.
How Positive Behaviour Support Helps Participants
Positive Behaviour Support focuses on helping participants build skills and supports that make daily life easier and safer.
Instead of reacting to behaviour after it happens, PBS aims to prevent issues before they escalate.
Support strategies may include:
- Identifying triggers or environmental factors that influence behaviour
- Teaching new communication or emotional regulation skills
- Developing routines that provide predictability and safety
- Supporting participation in home, school, work, and community life
- Helping support workers and families respond consistently
Over time, this approach can reduce behaviours of concern and help participants build greater independence.
What Is an NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Plan?
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBS plan) is a structured document that outlines strategies to support a participant experiencing behaviours of concern.
The plan is created by a qualified NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner after completing an assessment.
A behaviour support plan typically includes:
- Information about the participant and their goals
- Assessment of behaviour patterns and possible triggers
- Strategies to prevent behaviours from escalating
- Skill-building approaches to support communication and coping
- Guidance for support workers and family members
- Steps to follow during crisis situations if they occur
These plans help ensure everyone involved in a participant’s support uses consistent and safe strategies.
The Types of Behaviour Support Plans
The NDIS recognises two main types of behaviour support plans.
Interim Behaviour Support Plan
An interim plan is developed quickly when immediate risks need to be managed. This short-term plan focuses on reducing harm while a full assessment is completed.
Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan
A comprehensive plan is developed after a detailed behaviour assessment. It includes long-term strategies, skill development supports, and environmental changes that help improve the participant’s quality of life. Comprehensive plans are reviewed and updated over time as the participant’s needs change.
Who Can Provide Positive Behaviour Support?
Behaviour support plans must be developed by a practitioner assessed as ‘suitable’ by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, working through a registered specialist behaviour support provider. These practitioners are trained professionals with expertise in behaviour assessment and intervention.
They may come from backgrounds such as:
- Psychology
- Occupational therapy
- Speech pathology
- Social work
- Behaviour analysis
Practitioners must meet standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They are also registered at different levels depending on their experience and qualifications.
Behaviour Support Practitioners usually work closely with:
- Participants
- Families and carers
- Support workers
- Therapists
- Support Coordinators
This collaborative approach ensures strategies are practical and consistent across the participant’s daily life.
How Positive Behaviour Support Is Funded Through the NDIS
Positive Behaviour Support is usually funded through the Capacity Building – Behaviour Support category (previously known as Improved Relationships in older NDIS plans).
This funding is used for specialist behaviour intervention supports designed to help participants develop strategies that reduce behaviours of concern and improve quality of life.
Access to PBS may occur in several ways:
- Recommended during the NDIS planning process
- Suggested by a Support Coordinator or therapist
- Added during a plan reassessment or review
- Requested when behaviours begin affecting safety or daily participation
If the support is approved, funding can be used to work with a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner.
When a Positive Behaviour Support Plan Is Required
In some situations, the NDIS may require a Positive Behaviour Support Plan.
This typically happens when behaviours present a risk of harm to the participant or others, or when support teams need clear strategies to manage behaviour safely.
A behaviour support plan may be required when:
- Behaviour creates safety risks for the participant, support workers or others
- Support providers need structured guidance on how to respond to behaviour
- Restrictive practices are being used or are being considered
Under NDIS rules, restrictive practices must only be used as a last resort and must be included in a behaviour support plan developed by a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner.
The aim of the plan is to understand the causes of behaviour and introduce safer strategies that support the participant’s wellbeing and reduce the need for restrictive practices over time.
Understanding Restrictive Practices in the NDIS
Restrictive practices are actions that limit a person’s freedom of movement or decision-making in order to prevent harm.
Examples may include:
- Physical restraint
- Chemical restraint (medication used to control behaviour)
- Mechanical restraint
- Environmental restrictions
- Seclusion
The NDIS regulates restrictive practices through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Positive Behaviour Support aims to reduce and eventually eliminate restrictive practices wherever possible by addressing the underlying causes of behaviour.
This helps protect the rights and dignity of participants.
What the Positive Behaviour Support Process Looks Like
The Positive Behaviour Support process usually follows several steps.
- Referral or recommendation
A participant may be referred for behaviour support through their Support Coordinator, therapist, or planning process.
- Behaviour assessment
The practitioner gathers information about the participant’s environment, communication, and behaviour patterns
- Developing the behaviour support plan
Strategies are created to prevent behaviours, teach new skills, and support daily routines.
- Training for families and support workers
The practitioner explains how to use the strategies consistently.
- Ongoing monitoring and updates
The plan is reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet the participant’s needs.
How Families and Support Teams Are Involved
Positive Behaviour Support works best when everyone involved understands the strategies being used.
Behaviour Support Practitioners often work closely with:
- Parents and family members
- Disability support workers
- Therapists
- Teachers and schools
- Support Coordinators
Each person involved in the participant’s support may help follow the strategies in the behaviour support plan. This helps ensure the participant receives consistent support across different environments, such as at home, at school, or in the community.
Consistency makes it easier to identify triggers, reinforce positive skills, and support safer behaviour over time.
Real Examples of Positive Behaviour Support in Practice
Positive Behaviour Support looks different for every participant. The strategies, the timeline and the people involved will all depend on what the participant needs and what matters most to them.
These examples show how a behaviour support plan can make a real difference in everyday life.
Case Study: Supporting a child in busy environments
The Situation
A young boy with autism loved being out in the community but loud, crowded places like shopping centres often became overwhelming. Outings that other families took for granted were becoming stressful and unpredictable for him and his family.
The Support
A Behaviour Support Practitioner worked closely with the family to understand what was triggering his distress. Together, they developed a behaviour support plan that introduced quieter spaces to decompress, visual schedules to help him prepare for outings ahead of time, and simple calming strategies he could use when things felt like too much.
What Changed
Over time, community outings became easier and more enjoyable. His mum described it as “a turning point.” The family felt more confident and he was able to take part in activities that had felt out of reach before.
Case Study: Supporting an adult when routines change
The Situation
For one adult participant, unexpected changes to his daily routine triggered significant anxiety, and sometimes behaviours that made it hard for support workers to assist him safely. He wasn’t being difficult; he needed more predictability and clearer communication.
The Support
A Behaviour Support Practitioner worked alongside him and his support team to understand what was driving the anxiety. The behaviour support plan focused on building more consistent routines, improving how changes were communicated in advance and giving support workers practical strategies to respond calmly and consistently.
What Changed
With those supports in place, he became noticeably more confident navigating changes to his day. His support team felt better equipped too and the whole experience became less stressful for everyone involved.
Signs Someone May Benefit from Positive Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support may be helpful if someone experiences:
- Frequent emotional outbursts
- Difficulty coping with changes in routine
- Self-injurious behaviours
- Aggression toward others
- Withdrawal from social environments
- Communication difficulties linked to behaviour
If these behaviours affect safety, wellbeing or participation in daily activities, behaviour support may be worth exploring.
How to Find the Right NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Provider
Choosing the right behaviour support provider can make a meaningful difference.
Some helpful questions to ask include:
- Is the practitioner registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission?
- What experience do they have supporting similar needs?
- How do they involve families and support teams?
- How do they measure progress and review plans?
It is also important that the practitioner communicates clearly and respects the participant’s goals and preferences.
How Care Decisions Can Help You Find Positive Behaviour Support Providers
Finding the right provider can take time, especially when availability varies across different areas.
This is where Care Decisions’ free service can help.
Care Decisions helps participants and families compare disability support providers based on their needs, goals, and preferred locations.
When you reach out, the team can:
- Listen to what matters most to you
- Identify providers that match your situation
- Provide a simple Options Report so you can compare services
The service is FREE, independent and designed to reduce the stress of searching for providers.
If you would like help exploring behaviour support providers, Care Decisions can guide you through the next step.