Behaviour support practitioner recruitment for regional providers

An NDIS behaviour support practitioner is someone the NDIS Commission considers suitable to carry out behaviour support assessments, including functional behavioural assessments, and to develop behaviour support plans, which may include the use of restrictive practices. Until the Commission finds a person suitable, they cannot do this work, even under supervision.⁶

The practitioner must be engaged by a registered NDIS provider or be registered as a provider themselves.⁶ The Commission considers a relevant qualification to be a bachelor degree or higher in a field such as psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nursing, social work or positive behaviour support.⁷

Applicants with a portfolio of positive behaviour support work complete a self-assessment endorsed by a supervisor. A new entry-level pathway serves applicants with under 6 months' experience or limited portfolio evidence, who must be supervised by a practitioner at proficient level or above. Applications need a valid NDIS worker screening clearance number, and the Commission aims to process most within 4 to 6 weeks.⁶

Entry-level practitioners have their suitability reconsidered 12 months later.⁷ The Commission says updated assessment processes apply to new applicants from 18 December 2026.⁸ If you want to hire a new graduate, plan the supervision and the application time into your start date.

Award coverage depends on the employer and the role. Where the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award covers a disability provider and the role, its social and community services table lists a 3-year degree at level 3, pay point 3, $1,616.71 a week from 1 July 2026, and a 4-year degree at pay point 4, $1,649.97; the level then depends on the duties.⁵ If another award or agreement covers the role, its rates apply instead.

There is no earnings series for behaviour support practitioners. The nearest is Psychologists and Psychotherapists (ANZSCO 2723), one of the professions the Commission lists: a national median of $2,204 a week, or $60 an hour, for full-time employees in May 2025.⁴ We talk with you about the salary, supervision and vehicle that will compete for an experienced practitioner.

Start with the participants: their ages, the support needs involved and whether plans will include regulated restrictive practices. Then the level you need, from entry-level with supervision to proficient, advanced or specialist, and whether the practitioner will supervise others.

Then the practical details: the area covered and the travel involved, telehealth, the team around the practitioner, the qualifications you prefer, and whether you can supervise an entry-level applicant through the Commission's process.

We start with practitioners already in your region and then widen the search to people planning a move. The Commission's public search lists only practitioners who have agreed to publish their details, so it is not a full register.¹⁹

Tell us early about the vehicle, travel time, housing and relocation help, and any support for a partner or family. We raise them in the first conversation.

If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.

Register with Hire Australia and tell us the participants you have supported, your qualifications, your capability level and suitability status, and where you would like to work.