7 July 2022

Dear Specialist Behaviour Support Provider,

Important changes to suitability of behaviour support practitioners

I wrote to you in February 2022 advising of changes to the way behaviour support practitioners will be assessed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission). This letter provides further advice as the implementation of the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework (PBS Capability Framework) nears completion.

New practitioners (applicants) can now complete an application via the NDIS Applications Portal to become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner. New applicants will no longer need to complete the Notification of Behaviour Support Practitioners (s29) form.

New applicants can apply at any time and they do not need to be engaged by a registered provider at the time of their application. The NDIS Commission will review their suitability against the PBS Capability Framework. It is important to note that both requirements of practitioner suitability and provider registration continue to apply to behaviour support under the NDIS.

Once considered suitable, the behaviour support practitioner will need to be engaged by a registered provider (or registered as a provider themselves) before they can deliver behaviour support services.

All existing provisionally suitable practitioners continue to be considered provisionally suitable until they receive an outcome of their application. For these practitioners, their provisional suitability remains valid until they receive an outcome of their application.

Alternative assessment pathway

New entry level behaviour support practitioners wishing to apply for suitability can apply via the alternative assessment pathway. This involves submitting the following as part of their application:

1. A resume outlining any relevant experience, training and education
2. Certified copies of any relevant qualifications
3. A professional development plan which identifies how the individual will develop their capabilities across the seven domains of the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework (at the Core practitioner level)
4. A supervision agreement with a proficient level behaviour support practitioner or above, who will supervise the individual’s work and/or support them to develop the required capabilities
5. A completed new/entry-level practitioner declaration form.

The applicant may be required to undertake continuing professional development activities to ensure they are developing their capabilities across all domains at the Core practitioner level, and will have their suitability reconsidered within 12 months.

For further information, read the New behaviour support practitioners: Applying for suitability fact sheet.

Prioritising applications from 1 July 2022

Whilst we are continuing to process applications received as part of the National Implementation of the PBS Capability Framework, application from new practitioners received from 1 July 2022 will be prioritised. This will ensure that suitable applicants can commence work with registered providers as soon as practicable.

Lodging behaviour support plans

Due to the ending the s29 form, please email ndispractitioners@ndiscommission.gov.au with the name and practitioner identification number of any new suitable practitioners that will lodge behaviour support plans.

It is highly recommended that you regularly review approved access roles to ensure people who have left your organisation do not continue to have access to information. The ‘Authorised Access Delegate’ can remove access for any behaviour support practitioners that have left your organisation.

Please contact the NDIS Commission behaviour support team on 1800 035 544 or ndispractitioners@ndiscommission.gov.au if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffrey Chan, Ph.D
Senior Practitioner
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
P:1800 035 544 | Email: ndispractitioners@ndiscommission.gov.au
Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au