How to Get Behaviour Support Funded

NDIS behaviour support funding primarily falls under Category 15: Improved Daily Living, which covers therapeutic supports that help you develop skills and independence. This includes psychology services, behaviour support plans, and implementation support from allied health professionals.

Some behaviour support may also be funded under Category 7: Support Coordination when you need help navigating and coordinating multiple behaviour support services. The key distinction is that Category 15 covers the direct therapeutic intervention, while Category 7 covers the coordination and case management aspects.

Under Section 34 of the NDIS Act 2013, all supports must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. For behaviour support, this means demonstrating that behaviours of concern significantly impact your ability to participate in daily activities, relationships, or community life. The NDIA requires clear evidence that professional behaviour support will lead to improved outcomes and increased independence.

To qualify for NDIS behaviour support funding, you must first meet the general NDIS eligibility criteria under Section 24 of the NDIS Act 2013. Beyond this, you'll need to demonstrate specific behaviour support needs through documented evidence of behaviours of concern.

Behaviours of concern are defined as behaviours that pose a risk to your safety or the safety of others, significantly impact your quality of life, or limit your ability to access community activities and services. Common examples include self-injury, aggression, property destruction, or repetitive behaviours that interfere with daily functioning.

You'll need current assessments from qualified professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or behaviour analysts. These assessments must clearly link your behaviours of concern to your disability and demonstrate how behaviour support will address these challenges. The NDIA particularly values functional behaviour assessments that identify triggers, consequences, and the underlying functions of concerning behaviours.

The NDIS funds several types of behaviour support services, each serving different purposes in your overall support strategy. Understanding these options helps you request appropriate funding levels during plan development or review.

Success in obtaining behaviour support funding depends heavily on the quality and comprehensiveness of your supporting documentation. The NDIA requires evidence that clearly demonstrates both the need for support and the potential for positive outcomes.

Essential documents include: Current functional behaviour assessment from a qualified psychologist or behaviour analyst, medical reports from your treating physician or psychiatrist confirming your diagnosis, incident reports or behaviour data sheets showing frequency and severity of behaviours of concern, and evidence of previous interventions attempted and their outcomes.

Your documentation should paint a clear picture of how behaviours of concern impact your daily life. Include specific examples of how these behaviours affect your ability to maintain relationships, participate in community activities, live independently, or achieve your personal goals. The more specific and measurable your evidence, the stronger your funding application will be.

If you're applying for plan review under Section 48 of the NDIS Act 2013, ensure your evidence shows significant changes in circumstances or unmet needs that weren't addressed in your current plan. This might include escalation of existing behaviours, emergence of new behaviours of concern, or changes in your living situation that require additional behaviour support.

Once you've gathered your documentation, the formal assessment process begins. This typically starts with a comprehensive assessment by a qualified behaviour support professional, usually a registered psychologist with expertise in positive behaviour support.

The assessment process involves detailed interviews with you and your support network, direct observation of behaviours in relevant settings, review of historical data and previous interventions, and analysis of environmental factors that may contribute to behaviours of concern. Your assessor will also evaluate your current coping strategies, support network, and motivation for change.

Following assessment, your behaviour support professional will develop detailed recommendations for your NDIS plan. These should include specific funding requests with clear rationales, measurable goals and outcomes, proposed intervention strategies, and timelines for implementation and review. The recommendations must align with NDIS pricing arrangements and be presented in language that NDIS planners can easily understand and approve.

Your behaviour support funding request can be submitted through several pathways depending on your current NDIS status. New participants include behaviour support needs in their initial planning conversation, while existing participants typically request funding through a plan review process.

When submitting your request, ensure all documentation is current, comprehensive, and professionally presented. Include a clear cover letter summarising your needs and requested supports, organised supporting documentation with clear labels and dates, and specific funding requests broken down by support type and category.

Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to discuss your submission or clarify any requirements. NDIA planners can provide guidance on documentation requirements and help ensure your submission addresses all necessary criteria for approval.

Once behaviour support funding is approved, successful implementation requires careful coordination and regular monitoring. Your positive behaviour support plan should include clear implementation strategies, regular data collection procedures, and defined review points to assess progress.