Understanding how Behaviour Support works under the NDIS can sometimes feel confusing — especially when you or someone you care for needs it but doesn’t have it included in the plan yet.
Here’s what you need to know about what Behaviour Support is, who can access it, and how the Behaviour Assessment and Recommendation (BAR) helps participants request funding for it.
Behaviour Support is a specialist service under the NDIS designed to help participants who display behaviours of concern that may cause harm to themselves or others.
These supports focus on:
Understanding why behaviours occur
Reducing or eliminating the need for restrictive practices
Building positive, person-centred strategies
Improving quality of life and participation
Behaviour Support is delivered by NDIS-registered Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioners approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
If Behaviour Support is already included in your NDIS plan, it will appear under the Capacity Building budget — specifically in the Improved Relationships or Behaviour Support category (depending on whether you have a legacy or PACE plan).
This means you can access services such as:
Functional Behaviour Assessments
Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs)
Training for families, carers, or support workers to implement positive strategies
Ongoing monitoring and plan review
You can choose a registered provider like Support Agency to deliver these supports and work closely with you and your team to achieve your goals.
If Behaviour Support is not currently funded in your plan, you can’t access these services directly yet — but you can take steps to request it.
The first step is completing a Behaviour Assessment and Recommendation (BAR).
A BAR is a professional assessment conducted by a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner. It provides the NDIA with the evidence needed to show that Behaviour Support is reasonable and necessary for your situation.
Once completed, the BAR can be submitted to the NDIA as part of:
A Change of Circumstances request, or
Your next plan review.
If approved, the NDIA will include Behaviour Support funding in your plan, allowing you to start receiving Behaviour Support services.
Step 1: Behaviour Assessment and Recommendation (BAR)
A qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner will assess your needs and prepare a professional recommendation outlining why Behaviour Support should be funded in your plan. This step isn’t yet covered by the NDIS—it’s completed externally to provide evidence for your request.
Step 2: Submit to the NDIA
Once the BAR is complete, it’s submitted to the NDIA as part of a Change of Circumstances request or during your next plan review. The NDIA reviews the recommendation to determine if Behaviour Support should be added to your plan.
Step 3: Behaviour Support Added to Your Plan
If the NDIA approves the recommendation, Behaviour Support funding will be included in your Capacity Building budget. This allows you to start accessing the supports you need.
Step 4: Access Behaviour Support Services
With the funding now in your plan, you can begin working with a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner to receive ongoing Behaviour Support services under the NDIS.
Having Behaviour Support in your plan ensures you can access professional, evidence-based strategies that improve communication, safety, and independence.
For participants, families, and carers, it also creates consistency — helping everyone work together to support positive change.
If you don’t currently have Behaviour Support funding, completing a BAR is the essential first step toward getting the support you need.
At Support Agency, our qualified Behaviour Support Practitioners can conduct a Behaviour Assessment and Recommendation (BAR) for participants who don’t yet have Behaviour Support in their NDIS plan.
We’ll help you:
Understand whether Behaviour Support is appropriate for your situation
Complete the assessment and provide a clear professional recommendation
Guide you through the process of submitting it to the NDIA