The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework (the Framework) focuses on the knowledge and skills that underpin contemporary evidence-based practice in positive behaviour support.
The Framework:
- provides clear expectations for behaviour support practitioners and helps them move towards a higher standard of practice
- aims to strengthen the safeguarding for people with disability receiving behaviour support
- demonstrates the NDIS Commission’s commitment to reducing and eliminating restrictive practices.
It's important for behaviour support practitioners to work with within their knowledge, skills and experience. See our policy guidance
You must apply to become a behaviour support practitioner and be considered suitable by the NDIS Commission to provide behaviour support under the NDIS.
Who can use the Framework?
The Framework is for anyone who wants to be considered suitable to be a NDIS behaviour support practitioner. A decision about suitability is based on an assessment against the Framework.
The Framework has four capability levels:
- core
- proficient
- advanced
- specialist.
The NDIS Commission does not endorse practitioner capability levels. We only make a decision of 'suitable', 'not suitable' or 'unable to make a decision'.
If you have been considered suitable as a NDIS behaviour support practitioner through the self-assessment pathway, you can continue to progress through the practitioner levels through professional and clinical supervision arrangements. You do not need to submit a progression application to the NDIS Commission.
Download the Framework
Download The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.
There is also an Easy Read version available.
Supporting you to follow the Framework
The Self-assessment Resource Guide can support individuals to:
- self-assess their capabilities against the Framework
- understand and support the supervisor endorsement process
- develop a portfolio of evidence for an application to be considered suitable to be a behaviour support practitioner.
If you have limited portfolio evidence, see the fact sheet: New behaviour support practitioners: Applying for suitability
Reviewing the Framework
Flinders University are helping the NDIS Commission to review the Framework and how we decide who can be a NDIS behaviour support practitioner. This work will help improve behaviour support services.
Have your say about behaviour support services
Flinders University are conducting online surveys to gain feedback about behaviour support services provided to NDIS participants.
Survey for Behaviour support practitioners, supervisors, practice and policy leaders
Flinders University are conducting an online survey to gain feedback from industry for behaviour support services that are provided to NDIS participants.
You're eligible to complete this survey if you are over the age of 18 and either:
- currently or have been engaged as a NDIS behaviour support practitioner
- providing or have given clinical supervision to NDIS behaviour support practitioners
- are or were a manager or director of an organisation which employs NDIS behaviour support practitioners
- are or were responsible for making policy decisions that concern NDIS behaviour support practices.
The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete and closes on April 11 2025.
Survey for informal supports
There is a separate survey to gain feedback from informal support providers (for example, a family member, friend, unpaid support person) of a NDIS participant who receives behaviour support services.
You're eligible to complete this survey if you are over the age of 18 and:
- are currently supporting or have supported a NDIS participant who receives/ed positive behaviour support
- have done so in an informal capacity, for example unpaid and as a family member, friend, etc.
The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and closes on April 11 2025.
If you have any questions about either survey, you can contact Dr Irene Belperio from the research team on 8201 5321 or via email irene.belperio@flinders.edu.au.
Thank you for your time and being a part of this important research.