Psychology vs Behaviour Support: What's the Difference in the NDIS?

NDIS

Updated October 2026

Psychology and Behaviour Support can both help people with disability, but they have different roles under the NDIS.

Psychology generally focuses on building a person's emotional, social and everyday functioning skills. Behaviour Support focuses on understanding behaviours of concern and developing practical strategies to improve quality of life.

Some people benefit from one service, while others may need both.

What Does an NDIS Psychologist Do?

Psychologists are registered health professionals who can assess and support emotional, cognitive and behavioural functioning.

Under the NDIS, psychology may be funded to help participants build disability-related skills and independence, including:

Developing emotional regulation and coping skills
Improving communication and social interactions
Building confidence in everyday situations
Developing problem-solving and decision-making skills
Managing disability-related barriers to community participation

Important: The NDIS generally does not fund clinical mental health diagnosis or treatment, such as treatment specifically for depression or an anxiety disorder. These services are generally provided through the health system, including Medicare.

NDIS-funded psychology must relate to the person's disability support needs and meet NDIS funding criteria.

What Does an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner Do?

Behaviour Support practitioners focus on understanding why behaviours of concern occur and developing strategies that improve the person's wellbeing, independence and everyday life.

Behaviours of concern may include aggression, self-injury or other behaviours that create risks to the person or others.

Rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour, practitioners work to understand what the person may be communicating or experiencing.

Behaviour Support may involve:

Identifying triggers and unmet needs
Understanding the purpose of behaviours of concern
Developing safer ways to communicate needs
Changing environments or routines to reduce distress
Developing a Behaviour Support Plan where appropriate
Training families, carers and support workers to use consistent strategies
Reducing and eliminating the need for restrictive practices

The overall goal is to improve quality of life, not simply reduce behaviours.

Psychology vs Behaviour Support: What's the Main Difference?

Psychology

Primary focus: Building emotional, cognitive, social and everyday functioning skills.

Example: A psychologist helps a participant develop coping strategies and build confidence when interacting with others.

Behaviour Support

Primary focus: Understanding behaviours of concern and creating practical strategies for the person and their support network.

Example: A Behaviour Support practitioner identifies why a participant becomes distressed during changes to their routine and works with their family and support workers to introduce more predictable routines and better communication strategies.

Can You Have Both Psychology and Behaviour Support?

Yes. Psychology and Behaviour Support can complement each other, particularly when emotional difficulties and behaviours of concern affect a person's everyday life.

For example, a participant might see a psychologist to build emotional regulation skills while also working with a Behaviour Support practitioner to develop strategies for their family and support workers.

Both professionals may work towards similar outcomes, but their services should have clearly defined purposes and avoid unnecessary duplication.

Where Are Psychology and Behaviour Support Funded in an NDIS Plan?

Psychology Funding

NDIS-funded psychology is generally included under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living, where it supports disability-related functional capacity.

Behaviour Support Funding

Where Behaviour Support funding appears depends on the type of plan:

PACE plans (most new and reassessed plans): Behaviour Support has its own Behaviour Support budget category.
Older (legacy) plans: Behaviour Support is usually funded under Capacity Building – Improved Relationships.

Psychology and Behaviour Support are funded from separate budgets, and funding cannot be moved between them. Behaviour Support funding is a stated support, so it can only be used for Behaviour Support. You also cannot use Improved Daily Living psychology or OT funding to pay for specialist Behaviour Support.

If your plan doesn't include Behaviour Support funding, you may need to ask the NDIA to consider adding it.

Read our guide: How to Get Behaviour Support Funding in Your NDIS Plan.

Do Psychologists and Behaviour Support Practitioners Need to Be Registered?

Psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Specialist Behaviour Support has additional NDIS requirements:

The specialist Behaviour Support provider must be registered with the NDIS Commission under registration group 0110.
The individual Behaviour Support practitioner must be assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission.
These requirements apply however the participant's NDIS plan is managed.

A psychologist can also work as a Behaviour Support practitioner, but being a registered psychologist does not automatically mean they have been assessed as suitable to deliver specialist NDIS Behaviour Support.

Which Support Is Right for You?

Psychology may be appropriate if you need help developing disability-related coping, emotional regulation, social or everyday functioning skills.

Behaviour Support may be appropriate if behaviours of concern are affecting safety, relationships or daily life, particularly where family members and support workers need coordinated strategies.

You may benefit from both if you have different support needs that require complementary approaches.

Your treating professionals, support coordinator or my NDIS contact can help you understand your support needs and the funding available in your plan.