Who is qualified to deliver Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) under the NDIS? Do behaviour support practitioners need to be registered? And what are the latest NDIS behaviour support rules in 2026?
Positive Behaviour Support is a person-centred approach that helps people with disability by understanding the reasons behind behaviours of concern and developing practical strategies to improve their quality of life.
Under the NDIS, there are specific requirements about who can deliver specialist Positive Behaviour Support, who can develop Behaviour Support Plans and which providers must be registered.
This guide explains the current NDIS requirements, including the April 2026 update to practitioner suitability guidance and the new NDIS Commission Portal introduced on 12 October 2026.
Who Can Deliver Positive Behaviour Support Under the NDIS?
Specialist Positive Behaviour Support under the NDIS must be delivered through a provider registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for specialist behaviour support.
There are two important requirements:
- The provider must be NDIS registered under registration group 0110 – Specialist Positive Behaviour Support.
- The individual behaviour support practitioner must be assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission to undertake behaviour support assessments and develop Behaviour Support Plans.
A suitable practitioner can work for a registered specialist behaviour support organisation, or operate as a sole trader if they are also registered as an NDIS provider for specialist behaviour support.
These requirements apply however the participant's NDIS plan is managed.
Does a Behaviour Support Practitioner Need to Be NDIS Registered?
There is an important difference between provider registration and practitioner suitability.
1. NDIS Provider Registration
Organisations delivering specialist Positive Behaviour Support must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission under:
Registration group 0110 – Specialist Positive Behaviour Support.
Registered providers must meet the relevant NDIS Practice Standards, comply with the behaviour support and restrictive practices rules, and engage suitable behaviour support practitioners.
2. Behaviour Support Practitioner Suitability
The NDIS Commission assesses individual practitioners to decide whether they are suitable to undertake behaviour support assessments and develop Behaviour Support Plans.
The Commission assesses their knowledge, skills and experience against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.
Being a registered psychologist, occupational therapist or other allied health professional does not automatically make someone a suitable NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
Practitioners must receive a suitability decision from the NDIS Commission before undertaking these specialist functions. Until someone has been considered suitable, they cannot undertake functional behaviour assessments or develop Behaviour Support Plans, even under supervision.
What Qualifications Do NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners Need?
Behaviour support practitioners often come from professional backgrounds such as:
- Psychology
- Occupational therapy
- Social work
- Nursing
- Education
- Other relevant disability and behaviour support backgrounds
There is no single mandatory university degree that automatically qualifies someone to become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
Instead, the NDIS Commission assesses whether practitioners have the knowledge, skills and experience required to deliver safe, evidence-informed Positive Behaviour Support.
The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework identifies four capability levels:
- Core
- Proficient
- Advanced
- Specialist
These levels describe different capabilities and experience. The NDIS Commission does not formally endorse individual capability levels; it decides whether practitioners are suitable to practise.
Practitioners must also work within their own knowledge, skills and experience and access appropriate professional supervision.
Read the NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.
Latest 2026 Update: New Behaviour Support Practitioner Suitability Guidance
In April 2026, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission published updated guidance for new entry-level behaviour support practitioners applying to be considered suitable.
The guidance explains an alternative assessment pathway for people who are starting their careers in Positive Behaviour Support and may have limited experience or portfolio evidence.
Who Can Apply Through the New Entry-Level Pathway?
The pathway is intended for practitioners who have less than six months of Positive Behaviour Support experience and/or limited portfolio evidence.
New entry-level applicants are expected to have appropriate supervision and professional development arrangements.
The NDIS Commission's April 2026 guidance explains that:
- Applicants use the alternative assessment pathway.
- They must have appropriate professional supervision from a practitioner at the Proficient level or above.
- They need a professional development plan and supervisor agreement.
- Additional suitability conditions may apply to new practitioners operating as sole traders or key personnel of registered providers.
- New entry-level practitioners have their suitability reconsidered after 12 months.
These arrangements are particularly important for organisations employing new behaviour support practitioners and for people seeking to enter the profession.
Read the NDIS Commission's current practitioner suitability and application guidance.
How Do You Become an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner in 2026?
To become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner, you must apply to the NDIS Commission to be assessed as suitable.
The process generally involves:
- Choose an assessment pathway. Applicants can use the self-assessment pathway or the new entry-level pathway, depending on their experience and available evidence.
- Review the Capability Framework. Understand the knowledge, skills and experience expected of NDIS behaviour support practitioners.
- Prepare your evidence. This may include your resume, relevant qualifications, professional experience, portfolio evidence and supervisor endorsement or agreement.
- Submit your suitability application. Apply through the NDIS Commission Applications Portal.
- Wait for the suitability decision. The Commission may request additional evidence before deciding whether you are suitable.
The NDIS Commission currently aims to process most suitability applications within four to six weeks, although individual applications may take longer.
Important: An individual suitability decision is separate from NDIS provider registration. If you intend to offer specialist behaviour support as a sole trader, your business must also meet the relevant provider registration requirements.
Latest October 2026 Change: New NDIS Commission Portal
On 12 October 2026, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission introduced new portal arrangements for registered NDIS providers, including specialist behaviour support providers.
Under the updated arrangements:
- New and reviewed Behaviour Support Plans must be lodged through the new NDIS Commission Portal.
- Behaviour Support Plans lodged before 12 October 2026 continue to have their associated reporting managed through the existing portal.
- Monthly reporting for plans lodged from 12 October 2026 takes place through the new portal.
- Individual behaviour support practitioners continue to use the existing Applications Portal for suitability applications and practitioner profile management.
This is an administrative change to how registered providers lodge and manage Behaviour Support Plans. It does not change the requirements for specialist behaviour support provider registration or individual practitioner suitability.
Providers should review the NDIS Commission guidance on which portal to use to make sure they are using the correct system.
Who Can Develop an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan?
An NDIS Behaviour Support Plan must be developed by a practitioner the NDIS Commission considers suitable, working through a registered specialist behaviour support provider.
A Behaviour Support Plan outlines strategies for understanding behaviours of concern, meeting the person's needs and improving their quality of life.
It may include:
- Findings from a behaviour support assessment
- Strategies to improve communication and address unmet needs
- Changes to the person's environment or routines
- Skills development and positive behaviour strategies
- Guidance for families, carers and support workers
- Strategies to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices
Where a Behaviour Support Plan includes regulated restrictive practices, additional requirements apply for planning, authorisation, reporting and review.
Under the NDIS Commission rules, when regulated restrictive practices are involved, an interim plan must generally be developed within one month of the provider being engaged and a comprehensive plan within six months.
Read our guide to Behaviour Support Plans in the NDIS for more on when a plan is required and how often it must be reviewed.
Can Support Workers, Families or Other Therapists Deliver Positive Behaviour Support?
Families, carers, support workers and other allied health professionals can all play important roles in supporting positive behaviour.
For example, support workers may help implement strategies from a Behaviour Support Plan, while occupational therapists, psychologists or speech pathologists may provide complementary support within their professional roles.
However, implementing everyday positive behaviour strategies is different from delivering specialist Positive Behaviour Support or developing an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan.
Only a practitioner assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission, working through a registered specialist behaviour support provider, can undertake the specialist assessment and behaviour support planning functions.
Providers implementing regulated restrictive practices must also meet separate registration, authorisation and reporting requirements.
How Can You Check Whether a Behaviour Support Practitioner Is Suitable?
If you are an NDIS participant, family member or support coordinator, it is important to check that the person providing specialist Positive Behaviour Support meets the NDIS Commission's requirements.
Before choosing a provider, consider asking:
- Is your organisation registered for Specialist Positive Behaviour Support (registration group 0110)?
- Has the individual practitioner been assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission?
- What experience do they have supporting people with my disability or support needs?
- Can they develop or review a Behaviour Support Plan?
- Do they offer home visits, online sessions or community-based support?
- Are they currently accepting new NDIS participants?
You can use the NDIS Commission's Behaviour Support Practitioner Search to look for practitioners who have agreed to have their details published.
Not every suitable practitioner appears in the public search tool, so you should also confirm the practitioner's suitability and the provider's registration directly.
Does the NDIS Fund Positive Behaviour Support?
Yes. The NDIS can fund specialist Positive Behaviour Support when it relates to the participant's disability support needs and meets NDIS funding criteria.
Where the 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.
In both cases, Behaviour Support funding is a stated support and can only be used for Behaviour Support.
Eligible supports may include behaviour support assessments, Behaviour Support Plans, implementation support, training and reviews.
Under the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27, effective 1 July 2026, the maximum national hourly rate for Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support is $252.99. Higher price limits apply in remote ($354.19) and very remote ($379.49) areas.
Additional charges may apply for eligible travel and other services, depending on NDIS rules and your service agreement.
You can check the latest rates using the MyCareSpace NDIS Price Search Tool, or read our guide on how to get Behaviour Support funding in your NDIS plan.
Need Help Finding a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
The MyCareSpace Connections Team can help you find registered NDIS Behaviour Support providers who have availability in your area.
Whether you need an initial Behaviour Support assessment, a new plan or a review of an existing plan, we can help you find a suitable practitioner.
Find an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner
Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners
Do Behaviour Support providers have to be NDIS registered?
Yes. Providers delivering specialist Positive Behaviour Support under the NDIS must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission under registration group 0110. This applies however the participant's NDIS plan is managed.
Can an unregistered provider deliver Behaviour Support?
An unregistered provider cannot deliver NDIS specialist Positive Behaviour Support services, which require registration group 0110. Families, support workers and other professionals can use general positive behaviour strategies within their roles, but specialist behaviour support assessments and Behaviour Support Plans must be completed by a suitable practitioner through a registered specialist provider.
Can a psychologist or occupational therapist become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner?
Yes. Psychologists, occupational therapists and professionals from other relevant backgrounds can apply to become NDIS behaviour support practitioners. However, their professional qualification alone is not enough. They must also be assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission.
Can a support worker write an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan?
A support worker cannot develop an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan simply because they have experience supporting people with behaviours of concern. They must first be assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission and work through a registered specialist behaviour support provider.
What changed for NDIS behaviour support practitioners in April 2026?
In April 2026, the NDIS Commission published updated guidance for new entry-level behaviour support practitioners. It clarified the alternative assessment pathway, supervision expectations and suitability arrangements for less experienced applicants, including those operating as sole traders.
What changed for Behaviour Support Plans on 12 October 2026?
From 12 October 2026, new and reviewed Behaviour Support Plans are lodged through the new NDIS Commission Portal. Reporting for plans lodged before that date stays in the existing portal, and individual practitioner suitability applications also stay in the existing Applications Portal.
Which part of my NDIS plan pays for Behaviour Support?
In PACE plans, Behaviour Support has its own Behaviour Support budget. In older (legacy) plans, it is usually funded under Capacity Building – Improved Relationships.
Can I find a mobile NDIS behaviour support practitioner?
Yes. Some registered specialist behaviour support providers offer home visits, community-based sessions or online appointments. The MyCareSpace Connections Team can help you find suitable providers offering these services in your area.
Official NDIS Behaviour Support Resources
- NDIS Commission: Rules for Specialist Behaviour Support Providers and Practitioners
- Apply to Become an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework
- New NDIS Commission Portal Guidance – October 2026
Last reviewed: 20 October 2026. This information reflects NDIS Commission requirements and published guidance at the time of review. Providers and practitioners should check the official NDIS Commission website for current requirements.
