What positive behaviour support is
The NDIS Commission describes PBS as an evidence, values and rights based approach. The focus is the person's quality of life: working out why a behaviour happens and meeting the need behind it, rather than simply stopping the behaviour. In practice that can mean teaching new skills, changing the environment, and guiding the support team.
A behaviour support plan sets out those strategies for one person. It should respect their dignity and be built around their needs. Some plans also include restrictive practices, and that is where most of the regulation applies.
The five regulated restrictive practices
A restrictive practice is anything that limits a person's rights or freedom of movement. The Commission regulates five types:
- Seclusion: a person is left alone in a room or place and is not allowed, or believes they are not allowed, to leave.
- Chemical restraint: medication used to stop or reduce behaviour.
- Mechanical restraint: a device or equipment used to stop or reduce behaviour by limiting movement.
- Physical restraint: holding a person, or part of their body, so they cannot move freely, to stop or reduce behaviour.
- Environmental restraint: stopping a person from having or doing things, or from going to places in their home or community, such as a locked pantry.
The Commission is clear that restrictive practices do not create lasting change or meet the person's needs, and must only ever be a last resort. Some practices carry such a high risk of harm that they must never be used, and the Commission takes compliance action when they are.
Behaviour support plans and their deadlines
Where a regulated restrictive practice is involved, the Rules set firm timeframes:
| Plan | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Interim behaviour support plan | Within 1 month of the specialist behaviour support provider being engaged, or of a restrictive practice first being used |
| Comprehensive behaviour support plan | Within 6 months of engagement, or of first use |
| Review of a comprehensive plan with restrictive practices | At least every 12 months, and whenever the person's situation changes |
A provider counts as engaged from the date of the service agreement, or a start date written into it. A comprehensive plan must be based on a functional behaviour assessment, which looks at what the behaviour does for the person and what triggers and maintains it. The Commission recommends using the same timeframes for plans that contain no restrictive practices, as part of safe, quality support.
When a plan includes a restrictive practice, it must state the practice clearly, be authorised, and use it only as a last resort, for the shortest time, in proportion to the risk and as the least restrictive option.
Specialist behaviour support provider or implementing provider?
The system splits the work between two kinds of provider who are expected to work together.
- Specialist behaviour support providers write the plans. They must be registered for registration group 0110 and must engage an NDIS behaviour support practitioner the Commission has found suitable. When developing a plan they consult the person, their family or guardian, and the provider who will use any restrictive practice, and explain the practice in a way the person can understand.
- Implementing providers deliver supports and put the plan into practice. Any provider that uses a regulated restrictive practice must be registered and audited against the Implementing behaviour support plans module. Use by an unregistered provider is a breach of the NDIS rules.
Authorisation and reporting
The implementing provider carries most of the day to day obligations:
- Get authorisation from the authorising body in the state or territory where the person lives. The process differs between jurisdictions.
- Activate the plan and lodge evidence of authorisation in the NDIS Commission Portal. Plans lodged from 12 October 2026 are handled in the new portal; older plans stay in the existing one.
- Report every month on the use of each regulated restrictive practice in the plan, including months when it was not used, within 5 business days of the end of the month.
- Keep written records of each use, and tell the specialist provider when something happens that means the plan needs review.
A restrictive practice is unauthorised if it is not in a plan, has not been authorised, or is not used the way the plan says. Unauthorised use is a reportable incident and must be notified to the NDIS Commission within 5 business days of the provider becoming aware of it.
Who can be a behaviour support practitioner
Practitioners must apply to the Commission and be found suitable before they can do behaviour support assessments or write plans, and they cannot do this work under supervision before then. Suitability is assessed against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework, which has four levels: core, proficient, advanced and specialist. The Commission only decides suitable, not suitable or unable to decide; it does not endorse a level.
There are two pathways: a self assessment with a supervisor endorsed portfolio of evidence, and a new entry-level pathway for people with less than 6 months of PBS experience, who must be supervised by a practitioner at proficient level or above. The Commission has reviewed the Framework, and updated assessment processes apply to new applicants from 18 December 2026. Applicants need a valid NDIS worker screening clearance.
What support workers need to know
- Read the behaviour support plan for each person you support, and ask questions if any strategy is unclear.
- Use the proactive strategies first: the plan's way of meeting the person's needs is what prevents most incidents.
- Only use a restrictive practice exactly as the plan describes it. Anything else, including a new lock, a held arm or an extra PRN dose, may be an unauthorised restrictive practice.
- Record what you see accurately. ABC charts and incident notes are the evidence practitioners use to review plans and reduce restrictions.
- Report any unplanned restrictive practice to your team leader straight away so it can be notified in time.
Train your team
Our behaviour support courses are written for support workers and team leaders, with narrated lessons, scenarios and a final assessment. They build knowledge and do not make anyone a behaviour support practitioner:
45 minIntroduction to Positive Behaviour Support
Positive behaviour support is a way of working that aims to improve a person's quality of life, so that behaviours of concern become less likely and less needed. This course introduces the values behind positive behaviour support, explains why behaviours of concern are often a form of communication, and shows how setting events, triggers and consequences shape behaviour. You will learn how an NDIS behaviour support practitioner develops a behaviour support plan, what the plan contains, and why following it consistently matters. We also cover observing and recording behaviour, the five regulated restrictive practices, what to do if a restrictive practice is used without authorisation, and how to work well with your team. Duration: 45 minutes.
45 minIntroduction to Restrictive Practices for NDIS Workers
A restrictive practice is anything that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Under the NDIS, five types are regulated: seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint. This course explains what each one is, how to recognise them in everyday support, and why they must only ever be used as a last resort. You will learn how state and territory authorisation and behaviour support plans work together, what your role is when a plan includes a restrictive practice, and how to recognise and report unauthorised use. This course builds knowledge only. You must also follow each participant's behaviour support plan and be trained in any practice you are asked to implement. Duration: 45 minutes.
50 minResponding to Aggressive and Agitated Behaviours
Agitation and aggression are usually a sign that a person is distressed, unwell or trying to tell us something. This course helps you understand what sits behind these behaviours, spot the common triggers and early warning signs, and respond calmly using de escalation techniques and the person's behaviour support plan. You will learn how to keep yourself and others safe, when to step away and call for help, and why restrictive practices must never be used unless they are authorised in a plan. We finish with what to do after an incident, including first aid, debriefing, incident reporting and looking after your own wellbeing. Two case studies, in aged care and in the community, bring it all together. Duration: 50 minutes.
50 minABC Charts
An ABC chart is a simple tool for recording what happens before, during and after a behaviour of concern. Accurate ABC records help behaviour support practitioners and the wider team understand why a behaviour happens and what the person may be trying to communicate, so supports can be improved and the need for restrictive practices reduced. This course explains what antecedents, behaviours and consequences are, why setting events matter, how to describe each part objectively, and how to complete an ABC chart as soon as possible after an event. Worked examples show poor and improved entries. You will also learn how ABC charts link to behaviour support plans and incident reporting, then apply your skills in two case studies set in disability and aged care. Duration: 50 minutes.
60 minTrauma Informed Support
Many of the people we support have lived through trauma, and people with disability face a higher risk of abuse, neglect and harmful experiences in services. This course explains what trauma is, how it affects the body, brain and behaviour, and why a trauma informed approach leads to safer, more respectful support. You will learn the core principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment and respect for culture, and how to apply them in personal care, daily routines and moments of distress. The course also covers cultural and collective trauma, responding to disclosures and reporting, and looking after yourself. It builds knowledge only: always follow each participant's plans. Duration: 60 minutes.
50 minManaging Challenging Situations
Every support worker will face moments that feel tense, unpredictable or upsetting: a participant who is distressed, a family member who is angry, or a situation in the community that starts to escalate. This course gives you practical ways to understand what sits behind these moments, notice early warning signs, stay calm, use de-escalation skills and keep yourself and others safe. You will also learn what to do afterwards, including recording, reporting, debriefing and looking after your own wellbeing. The course reflects the NDIS Code of Conduct, our incident management policy and a person centred, rights based approach to support. Two case studies let you practise these skills in a day program and a shared home. Duration: 50 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is positive behaviour support in the NDIS?
An evidence, values and rights based approach that aims to improve a person's quality of life by understanding why behaviours of concern happen and meeting the needs behind them, for example by teaching skills and changing the environment.
How long does a provider have to develop a behaviour support plan?
Where a regulated restrictive practice is involved, an interim plan is due within 1 month and a comprehensive plan within 6 months of the specialist provider being engaged, or of the practice first being used.
What are the five regulated restrictive practices?
Seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint.
How often must restrictive practices be reported?
Implementing providers report monthly on each regulated restrictive practice in the plan, including when it was not used, within 5 business days of the end of the month. Unauthorised use is a reportable incident, due within 5 business days.
Does a PBS training course make me a behaviour support practitioner?
No. Only the NDIS Commission can find a person suitable to be an NDIS behaviour support practitioner, through an application assessed against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.
Can an unregistered provider use restrictive practices?
No. Providers that use regulated restrictive practices must be registered with the NDIS Commission and audited against the Implementing behaviour support plans module.
Source: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Checked 10/11/2026. Provider Compliance is not affiliated with the Victorian Government.