How to Refer to NDIS Behaviour Support: A Step-by-Step Guide for Support Coordinators
Knowing how to refer to NDIS behaviour support quickly and well is one of the most valuable skills a Support Coordinator can develop. A clear, complete referral means the participant gets matched with the right practitioner sooner, the intake runs smoothly, and the behaviour support plan starts protecting the participant faster. A rushed or incomplete referral can add weeks of back and forth. This step-by-step guide walks through the process we recommend at Allied Health 2U for positive behaviour support services.
Step 1: Confirm Behaviour Support Funding Is in the Plan
Before referring, check the participant's NDIS plan for behaviour support funding. It usually sits under:
- Improved Relationships — specifically funds behaviour support for some participants.
If funding isn't there but the need clearly is, the Support Coordinator may need to request a plan review before a behaviour support practitioner can be engaged. The NDIS Capacity Building Supports page has more detail on what falls where.
Step 2: Gather the Participant Context Before You Refer
A strong referral includes enough context for the provider to allocate a suitable practitioner straight away. At a minimum:
- Participant NDIS number, plan start/end dates.
- Support Coordinator name and contact details.
- Brief description of the behaviours of concern and how long they've been present.
- Setting (home, SIL, SDA, school, community).
- Any existing reports — previous behaviour support plans, functional assessments, psychology reports, medical summaries.
- Any restrictive practices currently in place, including chemical restraint.
Incident history and ABC data (where available) speeds things up significantly. A good functional behaviour assessment which is one of the initial reports positive behaviour support practitioners complete builds on this information rather than starting from scratch.
Step 3: Choose the Right Provider for Your Participant
Not every provider is set up to handle every presentation. When choosing, consider:
- Location — is face-to-face support available in the participant's region, or is telehealth the right mode?
- Complexity — does the provider have practitioners at the right PBS suitability level (Core, Proficient, Advanced, Specialist)?
- Integration — can the provider coordinate with psychology, OT or speech if the presentation needs a multidisciplinary approach?
- Timeframes — does the provider give realistic intake and plan delivery timelines?
AH2U delivers behaviour support face-to-face across Sydney and Greater Sydney and in Adelaide, with telehealth available Australia-wide for participants outside our in-person service regions.
Step 4: Submit the Referral and Expect a Response
Most providers accept referrals by phone, email or web form. At AH2U, either phone the team directly on 1300 24 2428 or use the AH2U contact form. You should hear back within 1–2 business days confirming receipt and next steps.
At this point, the provider will usually:
- Confirm whether an interim or comprehensive behaviour support plan is the right starting point.
- Match the participant with an appropriate practitioner.
- Book an intake conversation with the Support Coordinator, participant and family.
Step 5: Stay in the Loop Through Assessment
Referral isn't a one-and-done moment. It's only the start of a working relationship. Support Coordinators who stay gently engaged through the functional assessment phase (offering context, chasing documents, advocating for the participant) almost always get better outcomes than those who hand it off completely.
Peer communities such as Every Australian Counts consistently note that continuity of coordination is one of the biggest predictors of NDIS plan success.
Common Referral Delays to Avoid
- Referring without checking funding first.
- Submitting minimal context and waiting to be asked for more.
- Not flagging existing restrictive practices early.
- Choosing a provider without the right suitability level for the presentation.
Ready to refer an NDIS participant to a behaviour support specialist? Call AH2U on 1300 24 2428 or submit a referral through our website — we'll respond within 1–2 business days.
Positive Behaviour Support
