Many National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, families and Support Coordinators come across both Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Psychology when exploring supports.
While both services can help people build skills, improve wellbeing and achieve their goals, they have different purposes under the NDIS and are funded through separate support categories.
Importantly, participants do not always need to choose between one or the other. Many people benefit from accessing both supports at the same time where this aligns with their disability-related needs and goals.
What is Positive Behaviour Support under the NDIS?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a specialist disability service focused on:
- understanding the reasons behind behaviours of concern;
- improving quality of life;
- building skills and independence;
- supporting participation and inclusion;
- reducing and eliminating restrictive practices where possible.
PBS is delivered by Behaviour Support Practitioners who have been assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission to provide behaviour support services.
Behaviour support uses assessment processes, including Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), to understand the factors contributing to behaviour and identify proactive strategies that can improve outcomes.
What does a PBS practitioner do?
A PBS practitioner may:
- work with participants, families and support teams;
- complete behaviour assessments;
- identify triggers and environmental factors;
- develop Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs);
- build communication, coping and independence skills;
- support services to reduce behaviours of concern safely and ethically.
An important compliance point
Only a Behaviour Support Practitioner who has been assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission can develop and lodge a NDIS Behaviour Support Plan.
This is particularly important when supporting someone with restrictive practices. If a restrictive practice is being used, the BSP must comply with relevant NDIS Commission requirements and State-based authorisation processes, where applicable.
What is Psychology under the NDIS?
Psychology is a regulated health profession delivered by registered psychologists.
For NDIS participants, Psychology may be funded as a therapeutic support designed to assist people to build capacity, improve functioning and achieve disability-related goals.
Depending on the participant’s goals and disability-related needs, psychologists may support participants with:
- emotional regulation;
- coping strategies;
- trauma-informed support;
- social and communication skills;
- resilience;
- anxiety management;
- disability-related psychological impacts.
What does Psychology look like?
Psychology services may involve therapeutic interventions tailored to the participant’s individual needs and goals.
Approaches may include evidence-based therapies and interventions such as:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT);
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT);
- emotional regulation interventions;
- skill-building and coping strategies.
The specific therapy approach used depends on the participant’s needs and the psychologist’s assessment.
PBS and Psychology: A general comparison
Rather than viewing PBS and Psychology as competing services, it can be helpful to think of them as focusing on different aspects of support.
There is no single way to describe either profession, and there can be significant overlap depending on the participant’s needs, the practitioner’s experience, and the goals being worked towards.
The information below is intended as a general guide to help explain some of the common differences between PBS and Psychology within the NDIS context. It should not be interpreted as a definitive description of either profession.
| Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) | Psychology |
| Focuses on understanding behaviours of concern and the environments in which they occur | May focus on emotional wellbeing, coping, psychological functioning and disability-related impacts |
| Uses Functional Behaviour Assessment and Behaviour Support Plans | Therapeutic, conversation-based approach |
| Works closely with families, support teams and service providers | Often works directly with the participant and may also involve families or supports where appropriate |
| Focuses on improving quality of life, participation and reducing behaviours of concern | Focuses on building coping skills, emotional regulation and psychological wellbeing |
| Delivered by NDIS Commission-suitable Behaviour Support Practitioners | Delivered by appropriately registered Psychology professionals |
Disclaimer: The examples above should not be interpreted as strict boundaries between the two professions. In many situations, PBS and Psychology can overlap, can complement one another, and work together towards shared outcomes.
Can you have both PBS and Psychology?
Yes. Many participants access both Psychology and PBS where this aligns with their disability-related needs and goals.
For example:
- PBS may focus on understanding behaviours of concern and improving environmental supports.
- Psychology may focus on emotional regulation, trauma, coping skills and psychological wellbeing.
When services collaborate effectively, participants may experience more consistent support across home, school, employment and community settings.
Understanding NDIS funding
PBS and Psychology are generally funded through different NDIS support categories and are considered separately during planning and review discussions.
Participants who may benefit from both supports should discuss their needs with their:
- Support Coordinator;
- Local Area Coordinator (LAC);
- NDIS Planner;
- Behaviour Support Practitioner;
- Psychologist.
Funding decisions are determined by the NDIS based on a participant’s individual circumstances, disability-related needs and evidence provided.
Rather than competing services, Psychology and PBS can often be complementary supports when both are considered reasonable and necessary for the participant.
Which support is right for you?
PBS may be helpful when:
- behaviours of concern are present;
- restrictive practices are being considered or currently used;
- support teams need practical strategies;
- environmental factors are contributing to challenges.
Psychology may be helpful when:
- emotional regulation is a key goal;
- anxiety or trauma-related impacts are affecting daily life;
- a participant wants to develop coping strategies and resilience;
- psychological barriers are impacting participation and independence.
- disability-related psychological impacts are affecting participation and independence.
Many participants benefit from accessing both supports at different times or concurrently. The most appropriate support depends on the individual’s goals, needs, and circumstances.
Which support is right for you is your choice. However, under the NDIS, if there is a requirement for an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan to be developed and lodged, engagement with a Behaviour Support Practitioner who has been assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission will be required.
Can one professional provide both Psychology and PBS?
Yes. Some professionals hold both Psychology registration and Behaviour Support Practitioner suitability, allowing them to provide services across both disciplines.
Where a professional is acting as a NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner, they must meet the NDIS Commission’s Behaviour Support Practitioner suitability requirements. Where they are providing Psychology services, they must meet the relevant Psychology registration requirements.
Even where one individual holds both qualifications, the NDIS expects clear distinction between the services being delivered, as each support has different purposes, responsibilities and reporting requirements.
For example, only a Behaviour Support Practitioner who has been assessed as suitable by the NDIS Commission can develop and lodge an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan.
This distinction does not mean the services cannot complement one another. In many situations, Psychology and PBS may work together to support a person’s goals, wellbeing and quality of life.
Where to from here?
Choosing the right support can feel overwhelming, particularly when there are multiple services available under the NDIS.
If you are trying to determine whether PBS, Psychology, or a combination of both supports may be appropriate, we encourage you to seek advice from suitably qualified professionals and discuss your goals with your support network.
Mosaic is a registered specialist Positive Behaviour Support provider, and our team is available to discuss PBS, behaviours of concern, Behaviour Support Plans, restrictive practice requirements, and the role PBS may play in helping you achieve your goals.
If Psychology or another support is likely to be a better fit for your circumstances, we are also happy to assist you in identifying appropriate providers and services that may be able to help.
Whether Mosaic provides the service directly or helps connect you with someone who can, our focus is supporting participants to access the support that best meets their needs. Get in touch with us at 08 9314 8900 or submit an enquiry to speak to our team.