What is Behaviour Support and How Can I Access it via the NDIS?

1. 🧠 Understanding Behaviour Support
Behaviour Support is a vital part of the NDIS, designed to help people with a disability manage behaviours that may challenge them or those around them. This support focuses on creating positive and sustainable strategies to improve quality of life.

For more details, explore the collapsible sections below.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred approach that helps individuals develop positive behaviours while reducing challenging ones. By understanding the reasons behind behaviours, PBS encourages strategies that promote meaningful change, enhancing quality of life and relationships. Some key benefits of PBS include:

  • Improved Communication – Individuals learn to express their needs and emotions effectively, reducing frustration.
  • Skill Development – PBS helps individuals build life skills, leading to greater independence.
  • Better Relationships – Addressing challenging behaviours fosters stronger connections with family, caregivers, and the community.
  • Reduced Challenging Behaviours – Identifying and managing triggers helps individuals maintain emotional well-being.

PBS is a holistic approach that not only helps the individual but also enhances the experience of their family members, support workers, and community.

PBS plans are highly tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. The process includes:

  1. Comprehensive Assessment – A behaviour support practitioner evaluates the individual's behaviour, identifying triggers and motivations.
  2. Plan Development – A customised Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is created, outlining strategies to foster positive changes.
  3. Implementation – The plan is put into action, with guidance for caregivers and support workers.
  4. Ongoing Monitoring & Review – Regular adjustments are made to ensure the plan evolves with the individual's needs.

PBS sessions can vary in frequency, depending on the individual’s needs. Some may benefit from weekly sessions, while others might require support less frequently. The key is flexibility—ensuring the plan is practical, effective, and achievable for the participant.

 

 

2. 👤 Who Can Access Behaviour Support?
Not everyone automatically qualifies for Behaviour Support under the NDIS. Understanding eligibility requirements and how to access support can help you navigate the system and get the assistance you need.

Find out below if you are eligible for NDIS-Funded Behviour Support.

PBS is suitable for people of all ages who experience challenging behaviours, particularly those diagnosed with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Learning difficulties
  • Mental health conditions

PBS can be particularly valuable for those whose behaviours impact their social relationships, education, employment, or daily living skills.

To access PBS under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), participants need funding allocated under the Improved Relationships support category. This funding is specifically designed to support behavioural interventions that help individuals build positive interactions and emotional regulation skills.

Steps to Obtain PBS Funding

  1. Identify the Need – Recognise and document behaviours that require professional support.
  2. Set Relevant Goals – When attending your NDIS planning meeting, discuss goals related to:
    • Emotional regulation
    • Communication skills
    • Positive behavioural development
    • Strengthening relationships
  3. Seek Professional Assessment – Engage with a qualified behaviour support practitioner to conduct an assessment and develop a PBS plan. You can reach out to Assist Disability Services to enquire whether they offer Positive Behaviour Support Plans in your area. If you're ready to take the next step, you can submit a referral form here.

If your current NDIS plan doesn’t include Improved Relationships funding, you can request a plan review. An allied health practitioner can provide evidence supporting the need for PBS, highlighting how challenging behaviours impact safety and daily participation.

Therapy Care, a leading NDIS provider, offers a range of allied health services, including specialised assessments that can help strengthen a case for additional NDIS funding. Their team can conduct comprehensive evaluations to support funding applications and plan reviews, ensuring participants receive the necessary support.

3. 🤝 Why Choose Assist Disability Services for Positive Behaviour Support?
If you’re ready to take the next step in accessing Behaviour Support, our team is here to help.

Discover what makes us different from other providers by exploring the collapsible sections below and learning more about our approach.

  • Expert Team – Highly qualified behaviour support practitioners
  • Tailored Plans – Customised strategies to suit each participant’s goals
  • NDIS-Approved – Assisting individuals in obtaining the right funding
  • Holistic Support – Working with families, caregivers, and allied health professionals

Contact Assist Disability Services today and take the first step towards accessing high-quality Positive Behaviour Support Plans under the NDIS!

At Assist Disability Services, we are committed to providing tailored Positive Behaviour Support Plans to meet each participant’s unique needs. Our experienced team collaborates with individuals and their support networks to foster positive behavioural changes and enhance quality of life.

For more information or to discuss how we can support you or your loved one, contact us today by submitting the form below or submit a referral form here.

How can we help?

To discuss our range of support coordination and behaviour support intervention services, get in touch with a member of our team via 1800 955 806 or by filling out the form below:
Head Office

105/30 Campbell St
Blacktown
NSW 2148
Newcastle Clinic
11 Charles Street
Wallsend
NSW 2287
Blacktown Clinic
2/55 Campbell Street
Blacktown
NSW 2148
© 2025 Assist Disability Services. All Rights Reserved.

Shelley

Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support skills:

  • Counselling
  • Creating therapeutic relationships
  • Involving participants in their BSP
  • Behaviour Support Plan creation
  • Behaviour Assessment Report creation

Spoken languages: English 

Meet Shelley, Assist Disability Services’ expert Behavioural Support Practitioner based in the Central Coast and Sydney. With her Bachelor of Psychological Science and Master of Counselling, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

Shelley's background includes extensive experience as a behavioural support practitioner, as well as roles in counselling, leading youth groups with a focus on female youth, and experience as a crisis intervention operator with a National Suicide Prevention Organisation. This diverse experience has equipped her to work effectively with individuals of different backgrounds and circumstances. 

Driven by personal connections to individuals with disabilities within her own family, Shelley is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential and ensuring their unique ways of communicating their wants and needs are understood. Shelley was excited to join the team at Assist as there is great alignment between Assist’s values and her own.

With dedication and compassion, Shelley collaborates with participants to provide transformative care, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

Lesa

Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support skills:

  • Building rapport with clients and their support network
  • Clinical assessments
  • Report writing
  • Comorbidity of health and disability diagnoses 
  • Complex mental health

Spoken languages: English 

Meet Lesa, Assist Disability Services’ talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Newcastle. Backed by years of experience and a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, you can be assured that Lesa is well equipped to provide exceptional support.

Lesa’s diverse career has seen her working in Child & Family Services in residential and case management and as a Behavioural Support Practitioner, managing a caseload encompassing a diverse range of client presentations and disabilities. 

Lesa was initially drawn to working as a behavioural support practitioner as she was exposed to the role through her experience as a residential support worker. She loved the idea of being able to support and train carers, parents and a variety of stakeholders to better support their loved ones and clients through proven intervention methods.

Lesa finds fulfillment in her work within the behavioural support field as it allows her to contribute positively to the lives of people with disabilities and their support systems. Her passion for mental health, disability advocacy, and facilitating individual growth through capacity building and skill development drives her dedication to her role. Lesa was drawn to working for Assist because of the mission, values and commitment to serving all clients alongside the shared passion for showcasing meaningful change. 

Choosing Assist means having Lesa; a caring and experienced Behavioural Support Practitioner, guiding and encouraging each participant she has the privilege of working with, every step of the way. 

Keryn

Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support skills:

  • Supporting families
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Skill development programs
  • Functionally equivalent replacement behaviours
  • Case management

Spoken languages: English

Meet Keryn, Assist Disability Services’ talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Newcastle. With her Bachelor of Business, Certificate 3 in Children’s Service and Masters in Teaching (0-5 years), she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. 

Keryn has extensive experience working with children with disability. Before joining Assist, Keryn operated a Family Day Care service where she provided care to children aged 1-6 years old, living with various disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Global Delays, Language Delays and ADHD. 

Keryn believes that all children require individualised programs that integrate the support for their caregivers and professional input from additional allied health professionals they’re engaging with via their NDIS plan.

Keryn has been interested in understanding the background and reasoning related to children's behaviours, finding purpose and how this can be altered through skills and strategies. Her interests combined with her passion to advocate for independence for people with disability drew her into a career in behavioural support within the disability sector. 

Keryn is dedicated to supporting people with disability in skill building to ensure their autonomy is promoted and they have the opportunity to live their life with less barriers and greater ease. 

As a highly skilled behavioural support therapist with a passion for helping people, Keryn is an asset to the Assist team. She is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their communication goals and live their best lives.

Matthew

Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support Skills:

  • Problem solving
  • Environmental awareness
  • Active communication
  • Adaptability 

Spoken languages: English

Meet Matthew, Assist Disability Services highly skilled Behavioural Support Practitioner based in Sydney. Matthew has a Bachelor of Psychology and through his career has had the opportunity to engage with numerous NDIS participants. Matthew has found a real purpose working with people living with behavioural and intellectual based disabilities. 

Matthew was drawn to the behavioral support sector and through his studies and career experience has developed the right skillset to work effectively with participants facing challenging behaviours. 

Mathew understands the importance of taking an active role in each individual's behavioural support system, and understands barriers towards achieving milestones are overcome by maintaining a high standard of communication. 

Matthew is passionate about working in the disability sector. He loves being a part of the Assist team as everyone supports one another through teamwork and collaboration to positively impact every participant's life. 

With dedication and compassion, Matthew collaborates with participants to provide transformative care, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

Sarah

Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support Skills:

  • Behavioural assessment and analysis
  • Person-centered approach
  • Communication and collaboration 
  • Crisis Intervention and de-escalation 
  • Documentation and reporting

Spoken languages: English

Meet Sarah, Assist Disability Services talented Behavioural Support Practitioner based in the Gold Coast. Graduating with her Bachelor of Psychological Science and currently undergoing her Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. 

Sarah's background encompasses diverse roles, from intensive family support to out-of-home care, where she delivered personalised, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive therapeutic aid. Her journey has taken her across remote and rural communities in Western Australia and Far North Queensland, engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. With a focus on case management and adept delivery of psychoeducation, Sarah has empowered vulnerable families and children grappling with complex needs.

An unwavering ally of First Nations Peoples, Sarah has observed firsthand the profound impact tailored interventions can wield in enhancing independence and life quality. Her passion for understanding the intricacies that come with human behaviour coupled with her love for holistic care has drawn her to working in the behavioural support field. 

Her expertise extends to navigating the complexities of individuals with complex trauma and mental health concerns, including FAS-D, ODD, and RAD, while prioritizing culturally sensitive plans. Additionally, Sarah harbors a keen interest in guiding adolescents and youth in the juvenile justice system, fueling her dedication to creating an inclusive society. 

Choosing Assist means having Sarah; a caring and experienced Behavioural Support Practitioner, guiding and encouraging each participant she has the privilege of working with, every step of the way. With her genuine care and dedication, Sarah is determined to help every participant achieve their goals and enhance their overall well-being and quality of life.

Lauren

Clinical Lead - Behavioural Support Practitioner

Key Behavioural Support Skills:

  • Working with complex clients
  • Supervising peers
  • Understanding function of behaviour
  • Person-centred approach
  • Building rapport with clients and their support team

Spoken languages: English and a little bit of sign language 

Meet Lauren, Assist Disability Services’ Clinical Lead and Behavioural Support Practitioner. With her extensive experience and degree in Social Work, you can be assured that Lauren provides exceptional services and support to all of her clients.

Lauren has extensive experience in the disability and NDIS sector having worked as an NDIS Local Area Coordinator, an Allied Health and Business Development Manager and a Clinical Lead and Advanced Behavioural Support Practitioner.

Lauren loves working in behavioural support and the diversity that comes with her role. She enjoys being able to work with a variety of people aged from two to 65 years old, who are living with a range of different disabilities. 

Lauren is passionate about working in the disability sector. She is extremely familiar with disability, as her husband is deaf and her son lives with autism spectrum disorder. Lauren knows life isn’t always fair, which makes her more willing than most to assist people living with a disability to live a fulfilling life. Lauren says working in behaviour support often means working with people who have either been let down by the system or misunderstood and she believes that everybody is deserving of a service when in need. 

Lauren’s dedication, expertise, and genuine care makes her the right Behavioural Support Practitioner to support NDIS participants in achieving their goals.