How to Apply for NDIS Funding for Positive Behaviour Support?

Applying for NDIS funding for Positive Behaviour Support can feel overwhelming, especially when behaviours are affecting safety, routines, relationships, learning, community access or daily life.  

Families, carers, support coordinators and participants may know that support is needed, but may not be sure what to ask for, what evidence to provide or where behaviour support fits within an NDIS plan. 

Positive Behaviour Support, often called PBS, is designed to understand why behaviours happen and what a person may be trying to communicate through those behaviours.

It is not about blaming the person or simply trying to stop behaviour. 

It is about understanding needs, reducing distress, improving quality of life and helping the person and their support network feel safer, calmer and more supported. 

The NDIS may fund Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) when it is related to a participant’s disability support needs and meets NDIS funding requirements.

This usually means showing how behaviours affect daily life, what support is needed, why that support is connected to the participant’s disability and how Positive Behaviour Support may help the person work towards their goals. 

Direct Answer: How Do I Apply for NDIS Funding for Positive Behaviour Support?

To apply for NDIS funding for Positive Behaviour Support, gather evidence that shows disability-related behaviour support needs and how behaviours affect daily life, safety and wellbeing.

You can request behaviour support funding during a new plan meeting, plan review or reassessment, and include reports, behaviour records or a quote from a suitable Positive Behaviour Support provider.

A strong request usually explains: 

• What behaviours are occurring
• How often they happen
• What may trigger or increase the behaviours
• How the behaviours affect the participant and others
• What support has already been tried
• Why Positive Behaviour Support is needed now
• How PBS connects to the participant’s NDIS goals
• What funding may be needed for assessment, planning, implementation, training and review 

 

The more clearly the request explains functional impact and disability-related support needs, the easier it may be for the NDIS to understand why behaviour support is being requested.

 

What is Positive Behaviour Support Under the NDIS?

Positive Behaviour Support under the NDIS is a person-centred approach that helps understand behaviours of concern and develop practical strategies to support the person in safer, more respectful and more meaningful ways. 

Behaviours of concern may include behaviours that create risk, distress, harm or barriers to daily life.

These behaviours may affect the person’s ability to participate at home, at school, at work, in the community or in relationships.

They may also affect family members, carers, support workers or others around the person. 

Positive Behaviour Support looks beyond the behaviour itself. It asks: 

• What is the person communicating?
• What need is not being met?
• What triggers may be involved?
• What environment changes could help?
• What skills could be taught or strengthened?
• What support does the person need to feel safe?
• How can the support team respond in a consistent and respectful way? 

 

PBS may support people living with autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, psychosocial disability, developmental delay, communication difficulties or other disabilities.

It may be helpful when behaviours are linked to unmet needs, distress, sensory overload, communication challenges, trauma, pain, anxiety, routine changes or environmental factors.

A behaviour support plan NDIS provider may develop strategies that support the participant, family, carers and support workers.

These strategies may focus on prevention, communication, emotional regulation, skill-building, safer responses, environmental adjustments and reducing the use of restrictive practices where relevant. 

The goal of Positive Behaviour Support is not to control the person.

The goal is to understand the person, improve quality of life and create safer support around them.

 

 

Can the NDIS Fund Positive Behaviour Support? 

The NDIS may fund Positive Behaviour Support when it is considered related to the participant’s disability support needs and meets the NDIS funding criteria.

Funding is not automatic and depends on the participant’s individual circumstances, goals, plan and evidence. 

This is why it is important to avoid thinking of PBS funding as something that is approved simply because a person has a diagnosis.

A diagnosis may be part of the evidence, but the NDIS usually looks at functional impact.

This means the focus is on how the disability affects daily life and what support is needed because of that impact. 

For example, a participant may need NDIS behaviour support funding if behaviours are affecting: 

• Safety at home or in the community
• Daily routines such as showering, eating, sleeping or attending appointments
• School, work or day program participation
• Relationships with family, carers or housemates
• Access to community activities
• Emotional wellbeing
• Support worker safety and consistency
• Use of restrictive practices
• Risk of accommodation breakdown
• Risk of hospital presentation or service withdrawal 

 

The request should explain why Positive Behaviour Support Planning is reasonable and necessary for the participant’s disability-related needs.

It should also show how PBS may help the participant build skills, reduce distress, improve participation or receive safer and more consistent support. 

A helpful way to frame the request is: 

“The participant requires Positive Behaviour Support because behaviours linked to their disability are affecting daily life, safety and participation.

PBS is needed to assess the reasons for the behaviour, develop practical strategies, support the care team and improve the participant’s quality of life.”

 

 

What NDIS Funding Category is Positive Behaviour Support Under? 

Positive Behaviour Support is often linked to Capacity Building supports, particularly behaviour support or Improved Relationships NDIS funding, depending on how the participant’s plan is written. 

Capacity Building supports are designed to help participants build skills, independence and participation. Behaviour support may appear in a plan under wording such as: 

• Improved Relationships
• Specialist Behaviour Intervention Support
• Behaviour Support
• Behaviour Support Plan
• Capacity Building
• NDIS Improved Daily Living, depending on the plan and support type
• Therapy or assessment-related wording, depending on the participant’s plan 

 

Plan wording matters. Some participants may have a specific behaviour support budget.

Others may have broader Capacity Building funding that needs to be checked carefully before booking services. 

If you are not sure whether your plan can be used for Positive Behaviour Support, speak with your support coordinator, plan manager, Local Area Coordinator, planner or behaviour support provider.

They can help you check the wording of your plan and understand whether PBS can be accessed or whether a plan reassessment may be needed. 

It is important to use careful language here. Instead of saying “NDIS will fund PBS,” it is safer and more accurate to say: 

“The NDIS may fund Positive Behaviour Support when it is related to a participant’s disability support needs and included in their plan.”

 

Step 1: Identify the Need for Behaviour Support 

Start by writing down why Positive Behaviour Support is being requested. 

This does not need to be written in complex language. It should explain what is happening in everyday life. For example: 

• The participant becomes distressed during personal care.
• The participant may leave the home or service without awareness of safety risks.
• The participant may become overwhelmed in noisy or busy environments.
• The participant may refuse essential daily activities because of anxiety or communication difficulties.
• The participant may hurt themselves or others when distressed.
• Family members or support workers are unsure how to respond safely.
• Current strategies are no longer working.
• There are concerns about restrictive practices.
• There is a risk of school, work, day program or accommodation breakdown. 

 

Try to explain the behaviour in a respectful way. Avoid blaming words.

Instead of saying “the participant is aggressive,” you may say “the participant may hit, push or shout when overwhelmed, especially during transitions or when communication is unclear.” 

This helps the NDIS and support providers understand the behaviour as a sign of distress, unmet need or communication difficulty rather than a personal flaw.

Behaviour support is often more effective when families and carers feel confident, which is why parent training and coaching in behaviour therapy can be an important part of practical daily support.

 

 

Step 2: Gather Evidence for Positive Behaviour Support Funding 

Evidence is one of the most important parts of an NDIS funding request for behaviour support.

The NDIS may need information that shows why PBS is needed and how behaviours are affecting daily life. 

Helpful evidence may include: 

• Therapy reports
• Psychology reports
• Occupational therapy reports
• Speech therapy reports
• Functional behaviour assessment information
• Behaviour tracking notes
• Incident records
• School reports
• Day program reports
• Support worker observations
• Family or carer statements
• Medical or allied health letters
• Risk assessments
• Previous behaviour support plans
• PBS Restrictive practice documentation, where relevant
• Provider recommendations
• A behaviour support quote 

 

The evidence should show more than the behaviour itself. It should explain the impact of the behaviour and why specialist behaviour support may help. 

For example, evidence may explain: 

• Frequency of behaviours
• Intensity of behaviours
• Triggers or patterns
• Impact on safety
• Impact on daily living
• Impact on family or carers
• Impact on community access
• Impact on relationships
• Current supports being used
• Gaps in current support
• Risks if PBS is not provided
• Expected outcomes from behaviour support 

 

If possible, gather evidence from more than one setting. 

Behaviour may look different at home, in the community, at school, in supported accommodation or during appointments.

A wider picture can help show the participant’s real support needs.

 

 

Step 3: Connect the Request to the Participant’s NDIS Goals 

NDIS funding requests are usually stronger when they connect clearly to the participant’s goals. PBS should not be described only as a crisis response.

It should also be linked to quality of life, participation, communication, relationships, independence and safety. 

For example, Positive Behaviour Support may connect to goals such as: 

• Building independence at home
• Improving emotional regulation
• Developing communication skills
• Accessing the community safely
• Improving relationships
• Participating in school, work or day programs
• Building daily living skills
• Reducing distress
• Supporting safer routines
• Maintaining stable accommodation
• Reducing the need for restrictive practices 

 

A simple goal-based explanation could be: 

“Positive Behaviour Support is needed to help the participant build safer routines, reduce distress during daily activities and increase their ability to participate in the community with appropriate support.” 

This type of wording helps connect PBS to the person’s life, not just the behaviour.

 

 

Step 4: Ask for Behaviour Support in a Plan Meeting, Review or Reassessment 

You can request Positive Behaviour Support funding during a new NDIS plan meeting, plan review or plan reassessment.

If the participant’s needs have changed, or if behaviours have increased, it may be helpful to request a reassessment with updated evidence. 

During the meeting or request, explain: 

• What behaviours are occurring
• How they affect daily life
• Why current supports are not enough
• What risks are involved
• What support is being requested
• How PBS connects to the participant’s goals
• What evidence supports the request
• What may happen if support is not provided 

 

It may help to use clear, practical language such as: 

“We are requesting behaviour support funding because the participant’s disability-related behaviours are affecting safety, daily routines and community participation.

A Positive Behaviour Support practitioner is needed to complete an assessment, develop strategies, support the team and review progress.” 

If the participant has a support coordinator, they may help prepare for the meeting, organise reports, gather provider quotes and explain how the request connects to the participant’s goals and support needs.

 

 

Step 5: Request a Behaviour Support Quote or Provider Recommendation 

A behaviour support quote NDIS request can help show what level of funding may be needed.

A quote from a NDIS Positive Behaviour Support provider may outline the estimated hours and the type of work involved. 

A behaviour support quote may include: 

• Intake and information gathering
• Observation across settings
• Functional behaviour assessment
• Stakeholder meetings
• Interim behaviour support plan, if needed
• Comprehensive behaviour support plan
• Implementation support
• Training for family, carers or support workers
• Progress reviews
• Reporting
• Restrictive practice reduction planning, where relevant 

 

A quote should be linked to the participant’s support needs and goals. It should not simply list hours.

It should explain why those supports may be needed and what outcomes they are intended to support. 

For example, the quote may explain that funding is needed for assessment, plan development and implementation because the participant’s behaviours are affecting safety, care routines and community access.

 

 

Step 6: Choose a Suitable NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner 

Choosing the right NDIS behaviour support practitioner is important.

Positive Behaviour Support can involve sensitive information, complex situations and collaboration with multiple people in the participant’s life. 

When choosing a Positive Behaviour Support provider, consider whether they: 

• Are suitable to provide NDIS behaviour support
• Understand disability-related behaviour needs
• Use person-centred and trauma-informed approaches
• Listen to the participant and family
• Communicate clearly with support teams
• Provide practical strategies for daily life
• Understand restrictive practice requirements, where relevant
• Can work with support coordinators and allied health teams
• Provide clear reports and plans
• Review strategies when needs change 

 

It can also help to ask: 

• What is your experience with this type of behaviour support need?
• How do you involve the participant and family?
• What does your assessment process include?
• How do you develop behaviour support plans?
• Do you provide training for support workers?
• How often do you review the plan?
• Can you provide NDIS-related reports or recommendations?
• Do you offer telehealth Positive Behaviour Support if needed? 

 

A good PBS provider should help the support network understand the person behind the behaviour.

The process should feel respectful, collaborative and focused on quality of life.

 

 

What Evidence Helps Support an NDIS PBS Funding Request? 

Evidence should show why Positive Behaviour Support is needed and how it relates to the participant’s disability support needs.

It does not need to be perfect, but it should be clear, current and practical. 

Evidence Type	What It Helps Show
Functional behaviour assessment	Why behaviours may be happening and what support may be needed
Therapy reports	Functional impact, support needs and professional recommendations
Carer statement	Daily impact at home and how behaviour affects family or carers
Incident notes	Frequency, intensity, triggers, risks and patterns
School or program reports	Behaviour in learning, work or community settings
Support worker observations	What happens during daily support and what strategies have been tried
Provider quote	Estimated hours, scope of work and expected outcomes
Existing behaviour plan	What has already been tried and what may need review
Medical or allied health information	Relevant health, communication, sensory or emotional factors
Restrictive practice information	Why safer, less restrictive strategies may be needed

A strong evidence pack should answer these questions: 

• What is happening?
• When does it happen?
• How often does it happen?
• What might be causing or contributing to it?
• How does it affect the participant’s life?
• What risks are involved?
• What has already been tried?
• Why is specialist behaviour support needed?
• What outcomes could PBS support?

 

 

What Does NDIS Behaviour Support Funding Usually Cover? 

NDIS behaviour support funding may cover different parts of the Positive Behaviour Support process, depending on the participant’s plan and needs. 

This may include: 

• Behaviour support assessment
• Functional behaviour assessment
• Observation and information gathering
• Interim behaviour support plan
• Comprehensive behaviour support plan
• Positive behaviour strategies
• Communication and environmental strategies
• Training for family, carers and support workers
• Implementation support
• Progress reviews
• Reporting for plan reviews or reassessments
• Support to reduce restrictive practices where relevant
• Collaboration with therapists, coordinators, schools, day programs or accommodation providers 

 

Positive Behaviour Support is often most effective when it is not treated as a one-off report.

A plan needs to be understood, implemented and reviewed. Families, carers and support workers may need training and guidance so strategies are used consistently. 

For example, if a behaviour support plan recommends changes to routines, communication style or sensory supports, the people around the participant need to understand what to do and why it matters.

 

 

Interim vs Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan 

There are two common types of behaviour support plans under the NDIS: an interim behaviour support plan and a comprehensive behaviour support plan. 

Plan Type	Meaning
Interim Behaviour Support Plan	A short-term plan focused on immediate safety, prevention and reducing risk.
Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan	A detailed plan based on assessment, designed to understand behaviour, improve quality of life, teach skills, support the environment and reduce restrictive practices over time.

An interim behaviour support plan may be needed when there is an immediate risk or where restrictive practices are being used.

It focuses on keeping the person and others safe while more detailed assessment is completed. 

A comprehensive behaviour support plan is more detailed.

It usually includes information about the participant, their communication, strengths, preferences, routines, triggers, behaviours of concern, proactive strategies, response strategies and ways to reduce restrictive practices where relevant.

A comprehensive plan should not simply list behaviours. It should help others understand the person’s needs and support them in a more consistent, respectful and effective way.

 

 

What If My Current NDIS Plan Does Not Include Behaviour Support Funding? 

If your current NDIS plan does not clearly include behaviour support funding, there may still be steps you can take. 

First, check your plan carefully. Look at your Capacity Building budget, Improved Relationships category, Improved Daily Living category and any therapy or behaviour support wording.

If you are unsure, ask your support coordinator, plan manager, Local Area Coordinator or provider to help you understand the plan. 

If PBS is not included, you may need to gather evidence and request a plan reassessment. This may be relevant if: 

• Behaviours have increased
• Risks have changed
• Current supports are no longer enough
• The participant’s circumstances have changed
• Family or carers are under increased pressure
• School, work, day program or accommodation is at risk
• Restrictive practices are being used or considered
• The participant needs specialist assessment and strategies 

 

You can also ask a Positive Behaviour Support provider for a quote or recommendation to support the request.

A provider may be able to explain what assessment, planning and implementation support may be needed. 

While waiting for a plan change or funding decision, keep records of behaviours, triggers, risks, incidents and current strategies.

This information may help show the need more clearly.

 

How to Explain Behaviours of Concern to the NDIS 

Explaining behaviours of concern can be difficult, especially for families and carers who do not want the participant to be judged.

It is important to describe behaviours respectfully and clearly. 

Try to focus on observable behaviour and daily impact. 

Instead of saying: 

“The participant is difficult and aggressive.” 

You could say: 

“When overwhelmed, the participant may shout, push items away or hit nearby surfaces. This often happens during transitions, personal care or when communication is unclear. The behaviour creates safety risks and affects daily routines.” 

Instead of saying: 

“They refuse to cooperate.” 

You could say: 

“The participant often becomes distressed during morning routines and may avoid showering, dressing or leaving the house. This affects personal care, appointments and community participation.” 

This type of wording helps show that behaviour has a reason. It also helps the NDIS understand how Positive Behaviour Support may help.

For readers wanting a broader introduction, our guide to positive behavior therapy explains how behaviour-focused support can help build safer routines and reduce distress.

 

Can Children Access Positive Behaviour Support Through the NDIS? 

Children may be able to access Positive Behaviour Support through the NDIS when behaviour support needs are related to their disability and included in their plan. 

For children, PBS may support: 

• Emotional regulation
• Communication
• Transitions
• Sensory needs
• School participation
• Family routines
• Personal care routines
• Social participation
• Reducing distress
• Supporting parents and carers with practical strategies 

 

For example, a child may become distressed during transitions, have difficulty communicating needs or become overwhelmed in busy environments.

Positive Behaviour Support can help understand what is contributing to the behaviour and develop strategies that support the child in a respectful and developmentally appropriate way. 

PBS for children should involve parents, carers and other key people in the child’s life. It should feel supportive, not blaming.

 

 

Can Adults Access Positive Behaviour Support Through the NDIS?

Adults may also access Positive Behaviour Support when it is related to their disability support needs and included in their NDIS plan. 

For adults, PBS may support: 

• Independent living
• Shared living arrangements
• SIL or supported accommodation
• Community access
• Relationships
• Work or day program participation
• Emotional regulation
• Support worker consistency
• Reducing restrictive practices
• Building safer routines

 

For example, an adult in supported accommodation may need PBS if behaviours are affecting housemate relationships, staff safety, personal care, medication routines or community participation.

A behaviour support practitioner can work with the participant and support team to understand triggers, develop strategies and support more consistent care.

 

 

Can Positive Behaviour Support Reduce Restrictive Practices? 

Positive Behaviour Support can play an important role in reducing restrictive practices where they are being used or considered. Restrictive practices should not be treated as a long-term solution without proper review, safeguards and behaviour support planning. 

PBS can help by: 

• Identifying why behaviours are happening
• Reducing triggers
• Improving communication
• Teaching new skills
• Changing environments
• Supporting safer routines
• Training support teams
• Reviewing what is working
• Reducing reliance on restrictive responses 

 

Where restrictive practices are involved, it is important to work with suitable behaviour support practitioners and follow NDIS Commission requirements.

 

 

How Long Does NDIS Behaviour Support Funding Take? 

There is no single timeframe for NDIS behaviour support funding because each participant’s situation is different.

The timing may depend on the type of request, the plan review or reassessment process, the evidence provided and how the participant’s plan is currently written. 

To avoid delays, it may help to prepare: 

• Current reports
• Clear behaviour records
• Carer or family statements
• Support coordinator notes
• Provider recommendations
• A quote from a PBS provider
• Explanation of risks and daily impact
• Connection to NDIS goals 

NDIS PBS Funding Checklist 

Before requesting PBS funding NDIS support, gather as much relevant information as possible. 

Use this checklist: 

• Current NDIS plan
• Participant goals
• Behaviour observations
• Incident records
• Therapy reports
• Functional behaviour assessment, if available
• Carer or family statement
• Support worker notes
• School, work or day program reports
• Support coordinator notes
• Provider quote
• Existing behaviour support plan, if any
• Information about restrictive practices, if relevant
• Explanation of safety risks
• Explanation of impact on daily life
• Summary of current strategies and why more support is needed 

You do not need every item on this list before asking for support, but stronger evidence can help explain the need more clearly. 

 

How Affective Care Can Support 

Affective Care provides emotionally-centred Positive Behaviour Support that focuses on the person behind the behaviour.

Our approach is calm, respectful and practical, with support designed around the participant’s needs, goals and daily life. 

Our team can work with participants, families, carers, support coordinators and support workers to better understand behaviour, reduce risk and build strategies that feel safe, human and person-centred. 

Affective Care may support with: 

• Behaviour support assessments
• Functional behaviour assessment
• Interim behaviour support plans
• Comprehensive behaviour support plans
• Implementation guidance
• Support worker and family collaboration
• Practical behaviour strategies
• NDIS-related reporting where appropriate
• Telehealth Positive Behaviour Support options
• Behaviour support for children and adults 

 

We understand that behaviour is often a sign of distress, unmet need, communication difficulty or overwhelm.

Our goal is to help participants and their support networks feel more informed, more confident and more supported. 

Need help understanding behaviour support funding? Contact Affective Care to discuss Positive Behaviour Support options. 

 

 

Moving Forward with PBS Funding

Applying for NDIS funding for Positive Behaviour Support can feel stressful, especially when behaviours are affecting daily life, safety, family wellbeing or access to the community.

But a clear, evidence-based request can help explain why PBS is needed and how it may support the participant’s goals. 

The strongest requests usually explain the behaviour respectfully, show the functional impact, include relevant evidence and connect the support to the person’s NDIS goals.

Positive Behaviour Support should always focus on understanding the person, improving quality of life and building safer, more supportive environments. 

If you are unsure where to start, speak with your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, plan manager or a suitable Positive Behaviour Support provider.

With the right guidance, families, carers and participants can feel more prepared, more informed and more confident when requesting behaviour support funding through the NDIS.