Functional Behaviour Assessment at a Glance


What does FBA stand for?
Functional Behaviour Assessment.

What is its purpose?
To develop an understanding of behaviour, including its function or purpose and the circumstances that may contribute to or maintain it.

Who can be involved?
The participant and, with appropriate consent, parents, carers, support workers, educators, Support Coordinators, clinicians and other people who know the participant.

Does an FBA always require a face-to-face assessment?
No. An FBA may be completed remotely where sufficient information can be obtained to undertake an appropriate assessment.

Does an FBA lead to a Behaviour Support Plan?
An FBA can inform the development or review of an individualised Behaviour Support Plan.

Where does Belong Health provide FBA services?
Across Perth, Mandurah and surrounding areas, with telehealth available across Western Australia where appropriate.

Learn More About Positive Behaviour Support

What Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment?

A Functional Behaviour Assessment, commonly called an FBA, is a process used within Positive Behaviour Support to understand behaviour in greater depth.

Behaviour doesn't occur in isolation.

There may be many interacting reasons why a behaviour occurs, and understanding those factors is important before developing strategies or recommendations.
​
An FBA may explore:
  • What the behaviour looks like.
  • When and where it occurs.
  • What tends to happen before it.
  • What happens afterwards.
  • How frequently it occurs.
  • How long it lasts.
  • Who is usually present.
  • Environmental factors.
  • Communication.
  • Sensory experiences.
  • Physical and emotional wellbeing.
  • Relationships.
  • Daily routines.
  • Demands and expectations.
  • Skills and independence.
  • Access to preferred activities or experiences.
  • Changes and transitions.
  • The person's history and circumstances where relevant.
  • How other people respond to the behaviour.
  • What the behaviour may communicate or achieve for the person.

The practitioner brings this information together to develop an individualised understanding of the behaviour within the broader context of the person's life.

This understanding can then guide Positive Behaviour Support strategies and Behaviour Support Planning.
Why Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment Important?

When behaviour is viewed only at surface level, it's easy to focus on:
"How do we stop this behaviour?"

An FBA asks a different question:
"What is happening for this person, and what might this behaviour be telling us?"
That distinction matters.
Two people can display behaviour that looks very similar while the factors influencing that behaviour are completely different.

For example, a person leaving an environment may be experiencing:
  • Sensory overload.
  • Difficulty communicating a need.
  • Anxiety or distress.
  • Pain or discomfort.
  • An unpredictable environment.
  • A task that exceeds their current skills.
  • A need for space or regulation.
  • Difficulty understanding what's expected.
  • A desire to access something elsewhere.
The appropriate support will therefore depend on why the behaviour is occurring for that individual, rather than simply what the behaviour looks like.
What Does the "Function of Behaviour" Mean?

In Functional Behaviour Assessment, function refers to the purpose the behaviour may serve for the individual or what the behaviour may help them communicate, access, avoid, change or regulate.

You may sometimes hear behaviour described using broad functional categories such as:
  • Accessing attention or interaction.
  • Accessing an item, activity or experience.
  • Avoiding or escaping a situation, activity or demand.
  • Sensory or internally reinforcing experiences.
These concepts can be useful, but a high-quality FBA should go further than simply placing behaviour into a category.

The Behaviour Support Practitioner should consider why that function may be important for this particular person and what broader circumstances are contributing to it.

For example, behaviour that appears to help someone "escape a task" may require deeper consideration of:
  • Whether the person understands the task.
  • Communication difficulties.
  • Sensory demands.
  • Fatigue.
  • Anxiety.
  • Pain.
  • Previous experiences.
  • The person's skills.
  • Whether expectations are realistic.
  • Choice and control.
  • How the task is presented.
  • The surrounding environment.

Understanding these factors helps move the focus from simply managing behaviour toward developing meaningful, person-centred support.
Looking Beyond the Behaviour: Understanding the Whole Person

Positive Behaviour Support should consider the person as a whole.
An FBA may therefore explore factors extending well beyond the behaviour itself.

Depending on the participant, this could include:

Communication
Can the person communicate their needs, preferences, discomfort, choices or desire to stop an activity?

Sensory Experiences
Are noise, lighting, touch, crowds, movement, temperature or other sensory experiences contributing to distress?

Physical Health
Could pain, illness, sleep, hunger, medication effects or other health factors be influencing behaviour?

Emotional Wellbeing
Are anxiety, frustration, fear, grief, distress or difficulties with emotional regulation relevant?

Environment
Does the person's environment support their needs, or are there unnecessary barriers or demands?

Relationships
How does the person interact with family members, carers, peers, support workers and others?

Routines & Predictability
Are changes, transitions or unexpected events difficult?

Choice & Control
Does the person have meaningful opportunities to make decisions about their own life?

Skills
Does the person currently have the communication, regulation, social, daily living or other skills needed to manage the situation?

Quality of Life
Does the person have meaningful relationships, activities, participation, independence and opportunities that matter to them?
The aim is to understand the person behind the behaviour, rather than reducing somebody to a set of behaviours.
What a Functional Behaviour Assessment Is NOT

An FBA isn't about deciding whether somebody is being "good", "bad", "difficult" or "non-compliant".
It isn't designed to assign blame to:
  • The participant.
  • Parents.
  • Family members.
  • Carers.
  • Teachers.
  • Support workers.
And it isn't simply a checklist used to select a generic behaviour-management strategy.

A Functional Behaviour Assessment should help develop an evidence-informed and individualised understanding of behaviour and the circumstances surrounding it.

The purpose is to use that understanding to help develop supports that promote the person's quality of life, rights, dignity, participation, independence and wellbeing.
Who May Benefit From a Functional Behaviour Assessment?

An FBA may be appropriate when behaviours of concern:
  • Affect the person's safety.
  • Affect the safety of other people.
  • Interfere with participation in everyday activities.
  • Affect relationships.
  • Make accessing school, work or the community difficult.
  • Affect living arrangements.
  • Occur frequently or intensely.
  • Are increasing or changing.
  • Are difficult for the person or support team to understand.
  • Lead to significant distress.
  • Result in restrictive responses or consideration of restrictive practices.
  • Require a more detailed understanding before developing a Behaviour Support Plan.

An FBA may also be useful when existing strategies aren't working and the support team needs to reconsider what may actually be influencing the behaviour.
What Types of Behaviour May Be Explored Through an FBA?

There isn't a single list of behaviours that determines whether an FBA is needed.
Depending on the individual, assessment may explore behaviours such as:
  • Physical aggression.
  • Self-injury.
  • Property damage.
  • Leaving environments unexpectedly.
  • Unsafe behaviours.
  • Significant emotional or behavioural escalation.
  • Behaviours affecting relationships or participation.
  • Behaviours creating risk for the participant or other people.
  • Other behaviours of concern affecting everyday life.

The behaviour itself is only one part of the assessment.

The practitioner also considers what is happening around the behaviour and what the behaviour may mean for the individual.
Functional Behaviour Assessment for Children

​When completing an FBA with a child, the assessment should consider the child's developmental stage, communication, sensory experiences, relationships, routines, environments and support needs.

The Behaviour Support Practitioner may work with:
  • The child.
  • Parents.
  • Carers.
  • Teachers.
  • Education Assistants.
  • Support workers.
  • Occupational Therapists.
  • Speech Pathologists.
  • Psychologists.
  • Other professionals.
Parents and carers can provide valuable information because they know the child across everyday situations and environments.

Importantly, an FBA shouldn't simply ask:
"How do we make this child behave?"

The aim is to understand what the behaviour may be communicating and what changes or supports may help the child.

Explore Positive Behaviour Support for Children
Functional Behaviour Assessment for Adolescents

Adolescence brings changes in independence, relationships, communication, identity, education, expectations and community participation.
An FBA for an adolescent may consider:
  • Communication.
  • Emotional regulation.
  • Sensory experiences.
  • Relationships.
  • Family dynamics.
  • School or education.
  • Community participation.
  • Increasing independence.
  • Choice and control.
  • Changes and transitions.
  • Environmental expectations.
  • Physical and emotional wellbeing.
Where appropriate, the young person's own perspective should be an important part of understanding what's happening.
​
Explore Positive Behaviour Support for Teens & Adults
Functional Behaviour Assessment for Adults

For adults, an FBA may consider behaviour across:
  • Home.
  • Supported accommodation.
  • SIL.
  • SDA.
  • Work.
  • Day programs.
  • Community settings.
  • Relationships.
  • Other everyday environments.
The participant's rights, preferences, autonomy, choice and control remain central to the assessment.

With appropriate consent, the Behaviour Support Practitioner may also collaborate with family, support workers, Support Coordinators and other professionals.

Explore Positive Behaviour Support for Adults
Functional Behaviour Assessment for Older Adults

Behaviour and support needs can change throughout life.
For older adults, an FBA may consider factors such as:
  • Communication.
  • Physical health.
  • Pain.
  • Cognitive changes.
  • Dementia.
  • Sensory changes.
  • Medication.
  • Environment.
  • Changes in independence.
  • Relationships.
  • Changes in routines.
  • Support arrangements.
  • Emotional wellbeing.

Understanding these factors may help the support team respond more appropriately to changing needs.
Explore Positive Behaviour Support for Older Adults
Learn About Behaviour Support for Dementia

How Does a Functional Behaviour Assessment Work?

Every assessment is individualised, but an FBA commonly involves several stages.
Step 1 - Understanding the Participant
​The practitioner begins by learning about the person.
This may include:
  • Strengths.
  • Interests.
  • Preferences.
  • Goals.
  • Communication.
  • Daily routines.
  • Relationships.
  • Health.
  • Sensory experiences.
  • Living arrangements.
  • Education or employment.
  • Community participation.
  • Current supports.
Understanding the person's life provides essential context for understanding behaviour.
Step 2 - Defining the Behaviour

The practitioner develops a clear description of the behaviour being assessed.
​
Rather than vague descriptions such as:
"becomes aggressive"
the behaviour should be described as objectively and specifically as possible.

This helps everyone involved understand what is being assessed and improves the quality of information collected.
Step 3 - Gathering Information

​Information may be gathered from multiple sources, including:
  • The participant.
  • Parents.
  • Family.
  • Carers.
  • Support workers.
  • Educators.
  • Support Coordinators.
  • Existing clinicians.
  • Previous assessments.
  • Reports.
  • Incident records.
  • Behavioural data.
  • Relevant documentation.
With appropriate consent, gathering information from different sources can help identify patterns that may not be obvious from a single perspective.
Step 4 - Observation & Data

Depending on the assessment, practitioners may use:
  • Direct observation.
  • Remote observation where appropriate.
  • Behaviour records.
  • Frequency data.
  • Duration data.
  • Incident information.
  • ABC data.
  • Interviews.
  • Questionnaires.
  • Other appropriate assessment methods.
Not every FBA uses exactly the same tools.
​
The assessment approach should reflect the individual participant and the behaviour being explored.
Step 5 - Developing a Functional Understanding

The practitioner considers the information collected to identify patterns and develop hypotheses about:
  • Why the behaviour may occur.
  • What may trigger or influence it.
  • What may maintain it.
  • What the behaviour may achieve or communicate.
  • Broader factors contributing to the behaviour.
The practitioner then considers these findings within the broader context of the person's life.
Step 6 - Recommendations & Behaviour Support Planning

The findings can inform individualised recommendations and Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
Where appropriate, the assessment may contribute to development or review of a Behaviour Support Plan.

What Is ABC Data?

You may hear Behaviour Support Practitioners refer to ABC data during an FBA.
ABC stands for:

A - Antecedent : What happened immediately before the behaviour?
B - Behaviour : What exactly did the person do?
C - Consequence : What happened immediately after the behaviour?

For example:
Antecedent: A person is told their preferred activity has finished.
Behaviour: They throw an object and leave the room.
Consequence: The activity transition is delayed and a support worker follows them.

Recording patterns across multiple situations can help the practitioner develop hypotheses about what may be influencing or maintaining behaviour.

However, ABC data alone isn't an FBA.

The practitioner should consider the information alongside the person's communication, environment, health, relationships, sensory experiences, history, skills and other relevant factors.
Do You Have to See the Behaviour Happen During an FBA?

Not necessarily.
A Behaviour Support Practitioner doesn't always need to personally witness every behaviour for an FBA to be completed.
Information may come from:
  • Participant accounts.
  • Parent and carer reports.
  • Support-worker information.
  • Behaviour records.
  • Incident reports.
  • Existing documentation.
  • Data.
  • Interviews.
  • Appropriate observations.
  • Other people who know the participant.

This can be particularly important where behaviour:
  • Occurs infrequently.
  • Happens only in particular environments.
  • Would be unsafe or unethical to deliberately provoke.
  • Doesn't occur while the practitioner is present.
The practitioner determines what information is required to develop an appropriate assessment.
Can a Functional Behaviour Assessment Be Completed via Telehealth?

Yes. An FBA may be completed via telehealth where the Behaviour Support Practitioner can obtain sufficient information to undertake an appropriate assessment.

Remote assessment may involve:
  • Participant consultation.
  • Parent and carer interviews.
  • Support-worker consultation.
  • Support Coordinator consultation.
  • Review of behavioural data.
  • Incident information.
  • Existing reports and assessments.
  • Information about routines and environments.
  • Appropriate remote observation.
  • Collaboration with other professionals.

A face-to-face visit isn't automatically required simply because an FBA is being completed.

However, there may be circumstances where the Behaviour Support Practitioner determines that additional information or face-to-face involvement would be beneficial or necessary.

The decision should be based on the individual participant and the requirements of the assessment.

Belong Health provides Positive Behaviour Support via telehealth across Western Australia, including regional, rural and remote areas where appropriate.

Learn About Positive Behaviour Support via Telehealth
Working With Parents, Families & Carers

Parents, families and carers often hold valuable knowledge about:
  • The participant's history.
  • Communication.
  • Preferences.
  • Routines.
  • Relationships.
  • Previous strategies.
  • Environments.
  • Behaviour patterns.
  • Changes over time.
With appropriate consent, involving these people can help develop a more complete understanding.

Their role isn't to be judged or blamed.

The aim is to work collaboratively to understand what's happening and identify supports that are realistic within everyday life.
Working With Support Workers

Support workers often spend significant time with participants across everyday environments.
They may contribute information about:
  • Behaviour patterns.
  • Routines.
  • Community participation.
  • Environmental factors.
  • Communication.
  • Existing strategies.
  • Incidents.
  • What happens before and after behaviour.
  • Changes over time.
Following assessment, support workers may also require coaching or guidance to implement strategies consistently.
Functional Behaviour Assessments in Schools

For school-aged children and adolescents, information from the education environment may form part of an FBA where relevant and appropriate.

With appropriate consent, the Behaviour Support Practitioner may collaborate with:
  • Teachers.
  • Education Assistants.
  • School support staff.
  • Parents.
  • Other clinicians.
Information may help identify whether behaviour differs across environments and what factors may contribute.

Where appropriate to the participant and practitioner, this may include school-based observation or consultation.

Belong Health has Behaviour Support Practitioners who can provide school visits within their relevant service areas.
Working With Support Coordinators & Other Professionals

Functional Behaviour Assessment often benefits from collaboration.
With appropriate consent, a Behaviour Support Practitioner may work alongside:
  • Support Coordinators.
  • Occupational Therapists.
  • Speech Pathologists.
  • Psychologists.
  • Counsellors.
  • Physiotherapists.
  • GPs.
  • Paediatricians.
  • Psychiatrists.
  • Teachers.
  • SIL providers.
  • SDA providers.
  • Other relevant professionals.
Different professionals may hold different pieces of information about the participant.

Bringing this information together can help create a more comprehensive understanding.
How Long Does a Functional Behaviour Assessment Take?

There isn't one fixed timeframe for every FBA.
The time required depends on factors such as:
  • Complexity of the behaviour.
  • Number of behaviours being assessed.
  • Participant circumstances.
  • Number of environments involved.
  • Availability of existing information.
  • Amount of data required.
  • Number of people involved in the participant's support.
  • Whether additional observations are needed.
  • Risk and complexity.
  • NDIS Behaviour Support requirements where applicable.

A relatively straightforward assessment may require less information than a complex situation involving multiple behaviours, environments and support providers.

Your Behaviour Support Practitioner can explain the anticipated assessment process based on the participant's circumstances.
What Happens After a Functional Behaviour Assessment?

Completing the assessment isn't the end of Positive Behaviour Support.

The findings should help guide what happens next.

Depending on the participant's circumstances, this may include:
  • Developing proactive strategies.
  • Making environmental changes.
  • Supporting communication.
  • Building skills.
  • Improving predictability.
  • Supporting emotional regulation.
  • Changing how support is provided.
  • Developing replacement skills or alternative ways to meet needs.
  • Coaching parents, carers or support workers.
  • Developing or updating a Behaviour Support Plan.
  • Monitoring outcomes.
  • Reviewing whether strategies are working.
The purpose is to translate the assessment into practical support in the participant's everyday life.
Functional Behaviour Assessment vs Behaviour Support Plan

These terms are closely related, but they're not the same thing.

Functional Behaviour AssessmentThe FBA helps us understand the behaviour.

It gathers and analyses information to develop an understanding of what may be influencing the behaviour and the function or purpose it may serve.

Behaviour Support PlanThe Behaviour Support Plan helps guide what we do with that understanding.

It documents individualised strategies and recommendations designed to support the participant and the people around them.
A simple way to remember it is:
FBA = Understanding
BSP = Planning & Support

The findings of an FBA can therefore play an important role in developing or reviewing a Behaviour Support Plan.
Learn About NDIS Behaviour Support Plans
FBA vs Positive Behaviour Support Assessment

You may also see the terms Behaviour Support Assessment and Functional Behaviour Assessment.

Behaviour Support assessment can encompass the broader process of gathering and analysing information about the participant, their circumstances, support needs and behaviour.

Functional Behaviour Assessment focuses particularly on developing an understanding of the function or purpose of behaviour and the circumstances that trigger, influence or maintain it.

An FBA may therefore form an important part of the broader Behaviour Support assessment process.
Explore Positive Behaviour Support Assessments
Functional Behaviour Assessments & Restrictive Practices

Functional Behaviour Assessment becomes particularly important where regulated restrictive practices are involved.

Restrictive practices are subject to specific requirements under the NDIS Behaviour Support framework.

Where regulated restrictive practices are included within a Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan, the plan must include a Functional Behaviour Assessment.

The aim of Positive Behaviour Support is to develop evidence-informed strategies that improve quality of life and work towards the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices.

Where restrictive practices are involved, additional requirements relating to Behaviour Support Plans, authorisation, reporting and implementation may apply.

Learn More About NDIS Behaviour Support Plans
Is an FBA Completed Before a Behaviour Support Plan?

Not necessarily in every circumstance.
An FBA is important for developing a comprehensive understanding of behaviour and can inform a Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan.

However, where regulated restrictive practices are involved, an Interim Behaviour Support Plan may need to be developed before the full Functional Behaviour Assessment has been completed.

The FBA can then inform development of the Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan.

This is why the sequence can differ depending on the participant's circumstances rather than simply being:
FBA → Behaviour Support Plan
in every case.
Functional Behaviour Assessments & the NDIS

Functional Behaviour Assessment is an important component of NDIS Positive Behaviour Support.

Belong Health is a registered NDIS provider and can support eligible:
✅ NDIA-managed participants
✅ Plan-managed participants
✅ Self-managed participants

Whether an FBA is required and how it forms part of a participant's Positive Behaviour Support will depend on their circumstances.
Our team can discuss the participant's situation and help explain the appropriate next steps.

Learn More About Positive Behaviour Support & the NDIS
Functional Behaviour Assessment in Perth

Belong Health provides Functional Behaviour Assessments as part of Positive Behaviour Support across Perth and surrounding areas.

Depending on the participant and Behaviour Support Practitioner, services may involve:
🏡 Home visits
🏫 School visits where available and appropriate
🌳 Community visits
💻 Telehealth
🤝 Meetings with the participant's support network
💙 Immediate capacity currently available.
​
Our Behaviour Support team supports children, adolescents, adults and older adults across our broader practitioner team.

Explore Positive Behaviour Support Perth
Find a PBS Practitioner Near Me
Functional Behaviour Assessment in Mandurah & Peel

Belong Health provides Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Behaviour Assessments across Mandurah, Peel and surrounding areas.

Our Falcon allied health clinic also provides an additional option for appropriate clinic-based Behaviour Support appointments.

Depending on individual circumstances, PBS may involve clinic appointments, community-based services, telehealth or a combination of service-delivery methods.

💙 Immediate capacity currently available.

Explore Positive Behaviour Support Mandurah
Functional Behaviour Assessment via Telehealth Across Western Australia

Participants don't necessarily need to live near a Behaviour Support Practitioner to explore an FBA.

Where an appropriate assessment can be completed remotely, Belong Health can provide telehealth Positive Behaviour Support across Western Australia, including:
📍 Perth
📍 Mandurah & Peel
📍 Regional WA
📍 Rural WA
📍 Remote Western Australia
The practitioner will consider whether sufficient information can be obtained remotely and whether any additional involvement is required.

Explore Positive Behaviour Support via Telehealth

How to Get Started With a Functional Behaviour Assessment

If you're unsure whether an FBA is required, you don't need to work that out before contacting us.
Our team can discuss the participant's circumstances and help determine the appropriate next steps.

Step 1 - Contact Our Team
Contact Belong Health by phone, email or through our online enquiry form.
We'll discuss:
  • Who requires support.
  • Their age.
  • Where they live.
  • What is currently happening.
  • Current support needs.
  • Existing Behaviour Support arrangements.
  • NDIS funding.
  • Other professionals involved.
  • Whether an FBA has specifically been requested.
  • Any questions you have.
Support Coordinators and other professionals are also welcome to refer participants.

Step 2 - Free 20-Minute Connect Session
We offer a free 20-minute Connect Session to help you understand the available options.
This provides an opportunity to:
  • Discuss the participant's circumstances.
  • Ask questions about FBA.
  • Understand how assessment may work.
  • Discuss Positive Behaviour Support.
  • Consider service-delivery options.
  • Determine the next steps.
There is no obligation to proceed.

Step 3 - Matching With an Appropriate Behaviour Support Practitioner
If you decide to proceed, we'll consider which available Behaviour Support Practitioner may be appropriate.
We consider:
  • Participant age.
  • Support needs.
  • Location.
  • Goals.
  • Service-delivery requirements.
  • Availability.
  • Practitioner experience and areas of interest.

Step 4 - Assessment
The practitioner begins gathering the information required to understand the participant and the behaviour.
Depending on the circumstances, this may involve:
  • Participant consultation.
  • Family consultation.
  • Support-worker consultation.
  • Existing documentation.
  • Behavioural data.
  • Observation.
  • Assessment tools.
  • Collaboration with other professionals.

Step 5 - Recommendations & Ongoing PBS

Once the practitioner has developed an appropriate understanding, the findings can inform recommendations and ongoing Positive Behaviour Support.
Depending on the participant, this may involve:
  • Strategy development.
  • Behaviour Support Planning.
  • Implementation support.
  • Parent or carer coaching.
  • Support-worker coaching.
  • Monitoring.
  • Review.
  • Ongoing collaboration.
Immediate Functional Behaviour Assessment Capacity
💙 Currently Accepting New PBS Enquiries

Belong Health currently has immediate Positive Behaviour Support capacity across children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
Our Behaviour Support team can provide Functional Behaviour Assessments where appropriate across:
📍 Perth & surrounding areas
📍 Mandurah, Peel & surrounding areas
💻 Telehealth across Western Australia

You don't need to know exactly what type of assessment the participant requires before contacting us.

Tell us what's happening, and we'll help you understand the available options.

Enquire About a Functional Behaviour Assessment

Free 20-Minute Connect Session

Not Sure Whether an FBA Is Needed?

That's okay.
You may have been told that the participant "needs an FBA", or you may simply be looking for help understanding behaviours of concern.
Belong Health offers a free 20-minute Connect Session where participants, parents, carers, Support Coordinators and other referrers can:
  • Explain what's happening.
  • Ask questions about Functional Behaviour Assessment.
  • Discuss Positive Behaviour Support.
  • Understand possible next steps.
  • Discuss current capacity and service options.
There is no obligation to proceed.

    PLEASE COMPLETE The Positive behAviour supports ENQUIRY FORM

Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Behaviour Assessment

What does FBA stand for?
FBA stands for Functional Behaviour Assessment. It is a structured assessment process used to develop an understanding of behaviour, including its function or purpose and the circumstances that may trigger, influence or maintain it.

What is the purpose of a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
The purpose of an FBA is to understand behaviour in context rather than simply focusing on stopping it. The assessment helps identify factors that may be contributing to behaviour so that individualised and meaningful Positive Behaviour Support strategies can be developed.

What does "function of behaviour" mean?
The function of behaviour refers to what the behaviour may help the person communicate, access, avoid, change or regulate. The practitioner also considers why that function may be important for the individual and the broader circumstances contributing to the behaviour.

What are the common functions of behaviour?
Behaviour is sometimes described using broad functions such as accessing attention or interaction, accessing an item or activity, avoiding or escaping something, or sensory/internal reinforcement. However, an FBA should consider the person's broader circumstances rather than simply assigning behaviour to a category.

What information is collected during an FBA?
Information may include participant and family interviews, support-worker information, behaviour data, incident records, observations, existing reports, communication, health, sensory experiences, routines, environments, relationships and other factors relevant to understanding the participant.

What is ABC data?
ABC stands for Antecedent, Behaviour and Consequence. It records what happened before a behaviour, what the behaviour looked like and what happened afterwards. Patterns across multiple observations may help identify factors influencing or maintaining behaviour.

Is ABC data the same as a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
No. ABC data can be one source of information within an FBA, but a Functional Behaviour Assessment should consider broader information about the participant and their circumstances.

Does a Behaviour Support Practitioner have to see the behaviour happen?
Not necessarily. Information can also be gathered through participant accounts, interviews, behavioural data, incident records, existing reports and information from people who know and support the participant. The practitioner determines what information is needed for an appropriate assessment.

Can a Functional Behaviour Assessment be completed via telehealth?
Yes. An FBA may be completed remotely where the Behaviour Support Practitioner can obtain sufficient information to undertake an appropriate assessment. In some circumstances, the practitioner may determine that additional information or face-to-face involvement is beneficial or necessary.

Can parents be involved in their child's FBA?
Yes. Parents and carers can provide valuable information about a child's communication, routines, strengths, environments, relationships, behaviour and support needs.

Can schools be involved in an FBA?
Yes, where appropriate and with relevant consent. Teachers and other education staff may provide useful information about behaviour within the school environment. School observation may also form part of an assessment where appropriate and available.

Can support workers contribute to an FBA?
Yes. Support workers may provide valuable information about the participant's routines, environments, behaviour patterns, communication and existing strategies.

Can a Support Coordinator refer someone for an FBA?
Yes. Support Coordinators and other professionals can contact Belong Health regarding Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Behaviour Assessment referrals.

How long does a Functional Behaviour Assessment take?
There isn't one fixed timeframe. The amount of time required depends on the complexity of the behaviour, participant circumstances, environments involved, information available, data required and other factors relevant to the assessment.

What happens after an FBA?
The findings can inform individualised Positive Behaviour Support strategies and may contribute to developing or reviewing a Behaviour Support Plan. Ongoing support may include implementation, coaching, monitoring and review.

What is the difference between an FBA and a Behaviour Support Plan?
An FBA helps understand behaviour and its function, while a Behaviour Support Plan documents individualised strategies and recommendations based on that understanding. Put simply: FBA = understanding; BSP = planning and support.

Is an FBA always completed before a Behaviour Support Plan?
No. An FBA can inform a Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan, but where regulated restrictive practices are involved, an Interim Behaviour Support Plan may need to be developed before the full FBA is completed.

Is an FBA required when restrictive practices are used?
Where regulated restrictive practices are included within an NDIS Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan, the plan must include a Functional Behaviour Assessment. Additional NDIS behaviour support and restrictive-practice requirements also apply.

Are Functional Behaviour Assessments available through the NDIS?
Functional Behaviour Assessment may form part of NDIS-funded Positive Behaviour Support where the participant has appropriate funding and relevant requirements are met.

Do you provide Functional Behaviour Assessments in Perth?
Yes. Belong Health provides Functional Behaviour Assessments as part of Positive Behaviour Support across Perth and surrounding areas, subject to practitioner service areas and suitability.

Do you provide Functional Behaviour Assessments in Mandurah?
Yes. Belong Health provides Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Behaviour Assessments across Mandurah, Peel and surrounding areas.

Do you provide Functional Behaviour Assessments across regional WA?
Telehealth may allow appropriate Functional Behaviour Assessments and Positive Behaviour Support to be provided to participants across regional, rural and remote Western Australia.

Do I need a referral for a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
Not necessarily. Participants and families can contact Belong Health directly. Support Coordinators and other professionals can also make referrals or enquiries.

What if I'm not sure whether the participant needs an FBA?
Contact our team. We offer a free 20-minute Connect Session where you can explain what's happening, ask questions and discuss whether Functional Behaviour Assessment or another form of Positive Behaviour Support may be appropriate.
Functional Behaviour Assessment With Belong Health

Understanding behaviour is the starting point for developing support that is individualised to the person rather than simply reacting to what others can see.

Belong Health's Behaviour Support Practitioners work collaboratively with participants and their support networks to understand behaviour within the context of the person's everyday life.

💙 Immediate PBS Capacity
👧 Children
🧑 Adolescents
👨 Adults
👵 Older Adults
📋 Functional Behaviour Assessments
📑 Behaviour Support Plans
🤝 Family & Support-Team Collaboration
📍 Perth & Mandurah
💻 Telehealth Across Western Australia
✅ Registered NDIS Provider
✅ Free 20-Minute Connect Session

Enquire About a Functional Behaviour Assessment
Book a Free 20-Minute Connect Session
Find a PBS Practitioner Near Me

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3634 or send us a message
​Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is reviewed periodically to reflect current evidence, clinical practice and relevant NDIS guidance.
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