NDIS Behaviour Support: What Funding Covers Explained

When we discuss NDIS behaviour support, many people become confused about what exactly it includes, who provides the services, and how this funding actually benefits participants. The NDIS understands that some participants may face challenges with behaviours that affect their daily life, social interactions, safety, or independence. Now the strange behaviours they have are not their own fault; instead, they are due to their illness, past trauma, communication barriers, stress, and sensory disorders. That’s why the NDIS provides a special type of funding called Specialist Behaviour Support. Now, let’s go deeper and explore what is actually covered under the behaviour support funding.

Why NDIS Behaviour Support Is Important

This is a special service for people who have behaviour issues, such as getting extremely angry over small things, harming themselves, breaking things, and disturbing the lives of the people they live with or those around them. This service does not mean that the person is wrong or behaving this way on purpose. Instead, it understands the real reason behind such behaviour, whether it is stress, past trauma, or a sensory issue. Its main goal is to make the participant’s life safer, understand their behaviour, develop their skills, build their confidence, and improve their independence.

Who Provides Behaviour Support?

Only trained and registered professionals can provide behaviour support services; otherwise, not everyone is allowed to do it, such as:

• Behaviour support practitioners
• Psychologists
• Behaviour therapists
• Specialist support providers

These practitioners must follow the NDIS Commission’s standards to ensure every participant feels safe, respected, and supported appropriately.

Behaviour Assessments

A trained behaviour specialist or behaviour therapist from their team meets the participant. During this meeting, they observe the overall behaviour, talk to the participant’s family members or caregivers, and try to understand what triggers the behaviour, what happens before and after it, and what the participant is attempting to communicate by doing it. Why does the participant feel satisfied by doing this? This assessment helps develop the Behaviour support plan.

Creating a Support Plan

Each participant has different behaviour issues, so the team’s qualified specialists prepare, review, and update the plan according to each participant’s needs over time. An NDIS behaviour support plan usually includes understanding the participant’s needs, including their daily routines, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses. By identifying which situation or factor triggers the behaviour, they can find a solution before the problem occurs. They also teach participants new skills, such as communicating more effectively, managing stress, and dealing with people calmly.

Positive Behaviour Strategies

The NDIS focuses on positive, respectful, and person-centred methods. That is why positive behaviour support (PBS) is a key part of behaviour funding. In this therapy session, basically,  the participant’s feelings are valued, and they are listened to, their triggers are reduced, they are taught to communicate positively, and such participants are given more choice and control so they can also feel independent.

Therapy Sessions With a Behaviour Specialist

The NDIS also funds therapy sessions with a behaviour therapist, NDIS specialist, or someone who works closely with the participant and gently guides them through the strategies outlined in the plan, step by step.

1. Emotional regulation training: In this, the participant is taught to manage their feelings and emotions, such as anger, sadness, and stress.
2. Social skills development: In this session, the participant is taught how to build healthy, positive relationships with others, including how to confidently talk, make friends, and participate in group activities.
3. Sensory regulation strategies: Some people have sensory issues (such as problems with loud noises or bright lights). These strategies help them stay calm and focused.
4. Problem-solving practice: In this therapy session, the participant is guided in solving real-life problems and handling challenges.
5. Coping techniques: In this behavioural therapy, participants are taught to handle stressful or very difficult situations and respond to them, using practices such as deep breathing or calming exercises.
6. Skill-building activities: In this, guidance is provided about practical skills, such as following your routine, taking care of yourself, and doing your personal tasks.

Parent and Caregiver Training

Behaviour support providers always include the participant’s family, caregivers, teachers, and support workers in training and provide guidance to them. The NDIS recognises that a well-trained support network leads to better outcomes for the participant.

Monitoring and Reviewing Progress

Behaviour support isn’t something you do just once and forget about it; it’s a journey that grows and changes with the participant’s needs. That’s why the NDIS continues to fund important activities like regular plan reviews, progress checks, strategy adjustments, goal updates, and new interventions when needed. A behaviour support plan needs to be reviewed from time to time so it stays meaningful, effective, and truly supportive for the person using it.

Crisis Support Strategies

Sometimes a participant’s behaviour can escalate very suddenly; they might harm themselves, become physically aggressive, break down emotionally, run away, or experience intense anxiety. In moments like these, the NDIS behaviour support plan lays out clear crisis strategies to keep everyone safe. These strategies usually include simple calming techniques, removing whatever is triggering the reaction, following clear step-by-step actions in an emergency, and making sure the environment is safe and supportive until the participant settles.

Restrictive Behaviour Support (When Necessary)

Sometimes, in rare cases, behaviours may become unsafe. In these situations, providers must follow strict NDIS rules called restricted practices NDIS guidelines.

When is this used?

• All other options fail: This means all normal strategies are tried first. If none of them work, a restrictive method is considered only then.
• There is a risk of serious harm: This means the participant may seriously hurt themselves or others.
• The intervention is authorised and monitored: Approval from specialists and authorised bodies is necessary, and the intervention is fully observed.

Examples of Restrictive Behaviour Support

• Environmental controls: Such as safety locks, locking doors, cupboards, or dangerous items, only for safety.
• Short-term physical holds: Used only in emergencies when someone needs to be kept safe immediately.
• Chemical restraint: Medication is used only under strict rules and with a doctor’s approval.

NDIS Behaviour Therapy

Some participants also benefit from NDIS behavioural therapy, which combines therapeutic activities and behaviour interventions. This may include techniques from psychology, counselling, or skill-building therapy. These sessions help the person better understand their emotions and express themselves safely.

Who Is Eligible for NDIS Behaviour Support?

Participants may be eligible if they:

• Have behaviours that cause harm or risk
• Have behaviours that make daily life difficult
• Have emotional or communication difficulties
• Need help managing stress or sensory overload
• Require support to replace unsafe behaviours with positive ones
• Have restricted practices in place
• Live in environments where behaviours affect others

The NDIS only funds behaviour support if it is “reasonable and necessary,” meaning it is essential to the participant’s safety and well-being.

Conclusion

Actual behaviour change begins when we stop blaming the person and start understanding their needs, experiences, and hidden struggles. NDIS behaviour support plays a powerful role in helping participants live safer, happier, and more meaningful lives. If you or someone you care about needs behaviour support, choosing the right provider really matters. At Ability Support Plus, we focus on gentle, personalised, and respectful support that helps participants feel understood and truly improve their everyday life.