The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has recently released its Annual Report for 2024–2025. While it takes some time to wade through the 172 pages, there is some real gold for Behaviour Support Practitioners and those of us committed to the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach as a key to reducing and eliminating behaviours of concern.
A key performance measure for the Commission during the past year was: The use of restrictive practices is reduced or eliminated through increased quality of Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), and NDIS Commission programs contribute to an increased number of verified participants with behaviour support plans and a reduction in unauthorised restrictive practices (URP). To meet this goal, four targets were identified:
- Increase the number of verified participants with a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) lodged, proportionate to the increase or decrease in total participant numbers – not met
- Decrease the total number of restrictive practices used proportionate to the increase or decrease in total participant numbers – met
- Decrease the number of participants subject to unauthorised restrictive practices (URPs), proportionate to the increase or decrease in total participant numbers – not met
- Increase the quality of Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) – met
While there is good news in the reduction in the use of regulated restrictive practices, that the number of unauthorised restrictive practices has not changed, shows there is more work to be done.
The Commission is also focused on the skills and experience of Behaviour Support Practitioners. An independent review of the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework and NDIS practitioner suitability assessment process recommended stronger education requirements and oversight. In 2025–26, the Commission run targeted consultations and stage implementation of a five-year roadmap (including legislative changes) to uplift practitioner requirements
For more information, the Annual Report can be found here, and to keep up to date, subscribe to the NDIS Commission newsletter.