What Is a Restrictive Practice?

A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability.

Sometimes restrictions can become part of everyday routines without everyone involved recognising that they may constitute a restrictive practice.

For example, depending on the circumstances and purpose, questions can arise around:
  • Locking access to particular rooms, cupboards or items.
  • Preventing someone from leaving an area.
  • Using physical force to restrict movement.
  • Using a device to restrict movement.
  • Giving medication primarily to influence behaviour.

Whether something constitutes a regulated restrictive practice depends on what is being done, why it is being done and the individual circumstances.

This distinction matters because regulated restrictive practices are subject to safeguards, Behaviour Support requirements and authorisation processes. (Western Australian Government)

The Five Types of Regulated Restrictive Practices

Under the NDIS, there are five categories of regulated restrictive practice. (Federal Register of Legislation)
1. Seclusion

Seclusion involves the sole confinement of a person with disability in a room or physical space where voluntary exit is prevented, not facilitated, or the person is led to believe they cannot leave.

The important distinction is not simply whether someone is alone.

The question is whether the person is being confined and prevented, or effectively prevented, from voluntarily leaving.
2. Chemical Restraint

Chemical restraint involves the use of medication or another chemical substance for the primary purpose of influencing a person's behaviour.

Medication prescribed by a medical practitioner to treat, or enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, physical illness or physical condition is excluded from the NDIS definition of chemical restraint.

This means the purpose for which medication is being used is particularly important when determining whether it constitutes chemical restraint. (Federal Register of Legislation)
3. Mechanical Restraint

Mechanical restraint involves using a device to prevent, restrict or subdue a person's movement for the primary purpose of influencing their behaviour.

Devices used for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes are excluded from this definition.

This distinction is important because the same or similar device may have a very different purpose depending on the individual circumstances.
4. Physical Restraint

Physical restraint involves using physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement of a person's body or part of their body for the primary purpose of influencing their behaviour.

The NDIS definition excludes a reflexive hands-on action used to guide or redirect someone away from potential harm or injury where that action is consistent with what could reasonably be considered an exercise of care.

Again, context and purpose matter. (Federal Register of Legislation)
5. Environmental Restraint

Environmental restraint involves restricting a person's free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities.

Depending on the circumstances, environmental restrictions can sometimes be less obvious than other forms of restrictive practice.

This is one reason it is important to consider everyday routines and environmental arrangements as part of the broader Positive Behaviour Support process.
Why Are Restrictive Practices Regulated?

Restrictive practices can significantly affect a person's rights and freedoms.

People with disability have the same rights as other people to dignity, choice, control, equality and participation.

The purpose of regulation and authorisation is therefore not simply administrative compliance. It provides safeguards around circumstances where a person's rights or freedom may be restricted.

In Western Australia, the authorisation process specifically seeks to balance safety and protection with the impact that restricting a person's rights and freedom can have. (Western Australian Government)
Restrictive Practices Must Be a Last Resort

Where a regulated restrictive practice is included in an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan, strict requirements apply.
A regulated restrictive practice must:
  • Be clearly identified in the Behaviour Support Plan.
  • Meet applicable State or Territory authorisation requirements.
  • Be used only as a last resort in response to a risk of harm.
  • Follow the exploration and application of evidence-based, person-centred and proactive strategies.
  • Be the least restrictive response possible in the circumstances.
  • Reduce the risk of harm to the participant or others.
  • Be proportionate to the potential harm or risk.
  • Be used for the shortest possible time necessary to ensure safety. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

The aim is therefore not simply to document a restrictive practice.

The aim is to understand the behaviour, improve the person's support and work towards reducing and, wherever possible, eliminating the need for restrictive practices over time.
Positive Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practices

Positive Behaviour Support looks beyond the behaviour itself.

Instead of asking only:
"How do we stop this behaviour?"

Positive Behaviour Support considers questions such as:
  • What is happening for this person?
  • Why might this behaviour be occurring?
  • What is the person communicating?
  • What happens before and after the behaviour?
  • Are the person's needs being met?
  • Are there communication barriers?
  • Are there sensory, environmental or social factors?
  • Are expectations appropriate for the person?
  • What skills could we help the person develop?
  • What changes could make their environment more supportive?
  • How can we improve the person's quality of life?

Understanding these factors can help identify proactive strategies that reduce behaviours of concern and decrease reliance on restrictive responses.
Learn More What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
Functional Behaviour Assessment and Restrictive Practices

A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) helps develop an understanding of the function or purpose a behaviour may serve and the factors that influence or maintain it.

For comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans containing regulated restrictive practices, Functional Behaviour Assessment forms an important part of the assessment and planning process.

An FBA may involve:
  • Gathering information about the participant.
  • Understanding strengths, needs and goals.
  • Identifying behaviours of concern.
  • Reviewing what happens before and after behaviour.
  • Considering communication.
  • Examining environmental and social factors.
  • Reviewing available behaviour and incident data.
  • Consulting people who know and support the participant.
  • Developing hypotheses about the function of behaviour.
This information helps guide proactive, individualised support strategies and planning for reducing restrictive practices. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

Learn More about  Functional Behaviour Assessment​
Behaviour Support Plans and Restrictive Practices

Where a regulated restrictive practice is required, it must be clearly identified within the participant's Behaviour Support Plan.

The plan must not simply state that a restrictive practice is occurring.

It must include evidence-based, person-centred and proactive strategies that address the participant's needs and the functions of their behaviour.

The Behaviour Support Plan can also establish:
  • When the restrictive practice may be used.
  • How it is to be implemented.
  • Safeguards surrounding its use.
  • Strategies for reducing reliance on the practice.
  • Alternative Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
  • Monitoring and review requirements.

Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans containing regulated restrictive practices must also be reviewed when the participant's circumstances change or at least every 12 months while the plan remains in force. (Federal Register of Legislation)

Learn More about NDIS Behaviour Support PlansNDIS Behaviour Support Plan
Restrictive Practice Authorisation in Western Australia

Because Belong Health supports participants throughout Western Australia, there is an important additional layer to understand.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission regulates Behaviour Support and restrictive practices nationally, while states and territories are responsible for their respective authorisation processes.

In Western Australia, the Department of Communities is responsible for the restrictive-practice authorisation framework. (Western Australian Government)

For NDIS-funded disability services in WA, authorisation requires:
  1. A Behaviour Support Plan developed by an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner.
  2. Review through a Quality Assurance Panel.
  3. Approval of the proposed restrictive practice through that process. (Western Australian Government)

What Is a Quality Assurance Panel?

A Quality Assurance Panel reviews proposed restrictive practices contained within the Behaviour Support Plan and determines whether they should be authorised.

In WA, the decision-making panel includes at least:
  • A senior manager or delegate from the implementing provider.
  • An independent external NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner who is external to the implementing provider and did not write the Behaviour Support Plan.

Other relevant people can participate in the process, including family members and the Behaviour Support Practitioner who developed the plan, although they are not the decision-makers responsible for approving the restrictive practice. (Western Australian Government)

This authorisation process provides an additional safeguard for the participant.
Who Is Responsible for What?

Understanding the different roles can make the process much easier.

Behaviour Support Practitioner
The Behaviour Support Practitioner assesses behaviour, develops Positive Behaviour Support strategies and develops the participant's Behaviour Support Plan.
Where regulated restrictive practices are involved, the practitioner clearly identifies and documents them and develops strategies directed towards their reduction and elimination.

Implementing Provider
The implementing provider is the provider whose workers may actually implement the Behaviour Support Plan and any authorised regulated restrictive practice.
Implementing providers have their own responsibilities relating to implementation, authorisation, record keeping, monitoring and reporting.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Commission provides national regulatory oversight of NDIS Behaviour Support and regulated restrictive practices.

WA Department of Communities
For participants receiving applicable disability services in Western Australia, the Department of Communities establishes the WA authorisation framework.

This distinction is important because the Behaviour Support Practitioner does not simply "authorise" a restrictive practice themselves. WA has a separate authorisation process. (Western Australian Government)
What About Unauthorised Restrictive Practices?

Sometimes a participant may already be subject to a practice that appears restrictive but has not been properly identified, documented or authorised.

This does not necessarily mean that the people supporting the participant deliberately intended to use a restrictive practice.
​
Sometimes everyday safety strategies, routines or environmental controls can have restrictive effects that have not previously been recognised.

However, once a potential restrictive practice is identified, it is important that it is properly assessed and the appropriate NDIS and WA requirements are followed.

Registered NDIS providers also have specific reporting obligations regarding the use of regulated restrictive practices. (Federal Register of Legislation)

If you're unsure whether a strategy being used is a restrictive practice, our Behaviour Support team can discuss the situation with you and help identify appropriate next steps.
Restrictive Practices Are Not the Goal of Positive Behaviour Support

This distinction is important.
Positive Behaviour Support is not about finding better ways to restrict someone.
The broader goal is to understand the participant, their behaviour and their environment so that proactive strategies can:
  • Improve quality of life.
  • Increase communication.
  • Build skills.
  • Increase independence.
  • Improve participation.
  • Support relationships.
  • Reduce behaviours of concern.
  • Reduce risk.
  • Reduce reliance on restrictive practices.

Where restrictive practices are necessary as a last resort for safety, Positive Behaviour Support works towards reducing and eliminating their use over time.

That reduction should be considered from the outset rather than only after a restrictive practice has been used for an extended period. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)
Supporting the Person Behind the Behaviour

Behaviour doesn't happen in isolation.
A participant's Behaviour Support Practitioner may explore areas such as:
  • Communication.
  • Sensory needs.
  • Emotional regulation.
  • Physical health and wellbeing.
  • Mental health.
  • Relationships.
  • Routines and predictability.
  • Choice and control.
  • Environmental demands.
  • Trauma and previous experiences.
  • Skill development.
  • Social interaction.
  • Access to meaningful activities.
  • Changes in the person's life or environment.

This broader perspective helps move support away from simply reacting to behaviour and towards understanding what the person needs to live a safer, more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Restrictive Practices Across Different Settings

Restrictive practices can potentially occur across different disability-support environments.
Depending on the participant, this may include:

🏡 Home
Support can involve working with participants, families and carers to understand behaviour and everyday support arrangements.

🏠 Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Behaviour Support Practitioners can collaborate with SIL providers, support workers and participants to support consistent implementation of Behaviour Support strategies.

🏘️ Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Environmental arrangements can be particularly relevant when considering environmental restraint and the participant's ability to freely access their environment.

🌳 Community
Behaviour Support can consider risks, triggers, communication and strategies supporting meaningful community participation.

🏫 School and Education Settings
For children and adolescents, collaboration with families, schools and other professionals may help support consistency across environments where appropriate.

PBS in SIL | PBS in SDA | PBS for Children | PBS for Teenagers & Adults
Participant Rights, Choice and Control

​The participant remains at the centre of Behaviour Support.

People with disability have rights to dignity, choice, control, participation and support with decision-making and communication.

​Where restrictive practices are being considered or used, the person's views, communication needs, preferences and circumstances are important parts of the process.
​
Positive Behaviour Support should seek to increase the person's opportunities for choice, participation, independence and quality of life — not unnecessarily reduce them. (Western Australian Government)

How Belong Health Can Help

Belong Health provides Positive Behaviour Support for children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
​
Depending on the participant's individual needs, our Behaviour Support Practitioners can assist with:
  • Positive Behaviour Support assessment.
  • Functional Behaviour Assessment.
  • Behaviour Support Risk Assessment.
  • Behaviour Support Plans.
  • Interim Behaviour Support Plans.
  • Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans.
  • Identification of potential restrictive practices.
  • Restrictive-practice assessment and documentation.
  • Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
  • Restrictive-practice reduction strategies.
  • Collaboration with implementing providers.
  • Family and carer consultation.
  • Support-worker consultation and implementation support.
  • Monitoring and review.

Positive Behaviour Support Assessments | Functional Behaviour Assessment | Risk Assessments | Behaviour Support Plans
Positive Behaviour Support Across Perth, Mandurah & WA

Belong Health provides Positive Behaviour Support across:

Perth Metro
Home, community and other appropriate settings.

Mandurah, Peel & surrounding areas
Local Positive Behaviour Support services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults.

Telehealth across Western Australia
Positive Behaviour Support can also be delivered through telehealth where appropriate, supporting participants across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote WA.

Positive Behaviour Support Perth | Positive Behaviour Support Mandurah | PBS Telehealth WA | Find a PBS Practitioner Near Me
How to Get Started

Accessing Behaviour Support can feel complicated, particularly when restrictive practices, implementing providers and authorisation requirements are involved.
Our team can help you understand the process.

Step 1 - Contact Our Team
Contact Belong Health by phone, email or through our online enquiry form.
We'll discuss:
  • Who the support is for.
  • Current behaviours and support needs.
  • Whether restrictive practices are currently being used or considered.
  • Current Behaviour Support arrangements.
  • Other providers involved.
  • Where services are required.
  • Funding arrangements.
  • Any questions you have.
You don't need to know exactly which Behaviour Support service or assessment you need before contacting us.

Step 2 - Free 20-Minute Connect Session
We offer a free 20-minute Connect Session to discuss your situation and help determine the most appropriate next steps.
You can:
  • Explain what's currently happening.
  • Ask questions about Positive Behaviour Support.
  • Discuss restrictive-practice concerns.
  • Learn more about the Behaviour Support process.
  • Discuss whether further assessment or Behaviour Support Planning may be appropriate.
There is no obligation to proceed.

Step 3 - Matching You With the Right Behaviour Support Practitioner
If you decide to proceed, we'll recommend a Behaviour Support Practitioner based on your individual circumstances.
We consider factors including:
  • Age.
  • Support needs.
  • Behaviours of concern.
  • Restrictive practices.
  • Goals.
  • Location.
  • Service-delivery requirements.
  • Practitioner experience.
  • Availability.

Step 4 - Assessment and Behaviour Support Planning
Your Behaviour Support Practitioner works collaboratively with you and your support network to understand the participant's strengths, needs, behaviour and environment.
Depending on the circumstances, this can include:
  • Consultation with the participant.
  • Family and carer consultation.
  • Support-worker consultation.
  • Reviewing existing reports and plans.
  • Reviewing behaviour or incident information.
  • Functional Behaviour Assessment.
  • Behaviour Support Risk Assessment.
  • Identifying restrictive practices.
  • Developing individualised Positive Behaviour Support strategies.

Step 5 - Ongoing Positive Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support is often an ongoing collaborative process.
Your practitioner may continue working with the participant and their support network to:
  • Implement strategies.
  • Monitor progress.
  • Review behaviour.
  • Build skills.
  • Adjust supports.
  • Collaborate with implementing providers.
  • Review Behaviour Support Plans.
  • Monitor restrictive practices.
  • Develop and review strategies for reducing restrictive practices.
The goal is support that evolves with the participant and continues to promote their rights, safety, independence, participation and quality of life.

    Positive behAviour supports ENQUIRY FORM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a restrictive practice under the NDIS?
A restrictive practice is a practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability.

What are the five regulated restrictive practices?
The five regulated restrictive practices are seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint.

Is all medication a chemical restraint?
No. Chemical restraint concerns medication or a chemical substance used primarily to influence behaviour. Medication prescribed by a medical practitioner to treat, or enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, physical illness or physical condition is excluded from the NDIS definition of chemical restraint.

Is locking a door a restrictive practice?
It can be, depending on what is being restricted, who is affected, the purpose of the restriction and the circumstances. Environmental restraint can include restricting a person's free access to parts of their environment.

Is locking food away a restrictive practice?
It can potentially constitute environmental restraint depending on the individual circumstances and purpose. A Behaviour Support Practitioner can help assess the specific situation rather than assuming that every environmental restriction is automatically the same.

Is stopping someone from leaving a room seclusion?
It may constitute seclusion where the person is confined alone in a room or physical space and voluntary exit is prevented, not facilitated or the person is led to believe they cannot leave.

Is holding someone to stop them hurting themselves physical restraint?
The circumstances matter. The NDIS definition of physical restraint includes physical force used to restrict movement primarily to influence behaviour, but specifically excludes certain reflexive hands-on actions used to guide or redirect someone away from potential harm or injury as a reasonable exercise of care.

Are restrictive practices illegal?
Regulated restrictive practices are subject to significant safeguards and legal and regulatory requirements. Their use must comply with applicable NDIS requirements and relevant State or Territory authorisation requirements.

Who can develop a Behaviour Support Plan containing restrictive practices?
Under the NDIS framework, Behaviour Support Plans containing regulated restrictive practices must be developed through a registered specialist behaviour support provider by an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner who is considered suitable by the NDIS Commission. 

Does a Behaviour Support Practitioner authorise restrictive practices?
No. The practitioner develops the Behaviour Support Plan and identifies and documents regulated restrictive practices where appropriate. In Western Australia, authorisation occurs through the WA authorisation process, including a Quality Assurance Panel. 

What is a Quality Assurance Panel?
In WA, a Quality Assurance Panel reviews proposed restrictive practices in a Behaviour Support Plan and determines whether they should be authorised. The decision-making panel includes a senior manager or delegate from the implementing provider and an independent external NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner. 

What is an implementing provider?
An implementing provider is a provider that implements a Behaviour Support Plan and may use a regulated restrictive practice when providing support to the participant. Implementing providers have specific obligations relating to implementation, authorisation, monitoring, records and reporting.

Do restrictive practices need to be in a Behaviour Support Plan?
Regulated restrictive practices used as part of ongoing NDIS supports are subject to Behaviour Support Plan requirements. The NDIS Rules also contain specific requirements for circumstances where a regulated restrictive practice is first used before a Behaviour Support Plan is in place. 

What is an Interim Behaviour Support Plan?
An Interim Behaviour Support Plan provides initial Behaviour Support strategies and, where applicable, addresses regulated restrictive practices while a comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan is being developed.

What is a Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan?
A Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan is an individualised plan developed following assessment, including Functional Behaviour Assessment where required. It contains evidence-based, person-centred and proactive strategies and, where applicable, clearly documents regulated restrictive practices and strategies directed towards their reduction and elimination.

What is the difference between an FBA and a Behaviour Support Plan?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment investigates why behaviour occurs and what influences or maintains it. A Behaviour Support Plan uses assessment findings to document individualised strategies for supporting the participant.

Can restrictive practices be eliminated?
Reduction and elimination of restrictive practices is a central objective of the NDIS Behaviour Support framework. Whether and how quickly a particular practice can be reduced depends on the participant's individual circumstances, safety, needs and progress.

Can restrictive practices ever be used for convenience?
A regulated restrictive practice contained in a Behaviour Support Plan must be a last resort in response to risk of harm, be proportionate, be the least restrictive response possible and be used for the shortest possible time. It should not simply be used because it makes support easier or more convenient.

What happens if we discover we're already using a restrictive practice?
Seek appropriate advice rather than simply continuing or abruptly changing a safety arrangement without considering the participant's circumstances. A Behaviour Support Practitioner can help identify what is occurring and determine appropriate Behaviour Support steps, while implementing providers must comply with their applicable reporting and authorisation obligations.

Can families use restrictive practices?
The regulatory position can depend on who is using the practice, the circumstances and whether it forms part of NDIS-funded supports. If you're concerned that something occurring at home may constitute a restrictive practice, discuss the specific situation with your Behaviour Support Practitioner rather than relying on a general rule.

Do restrictive practices apply to children?
Yes. Restrictive-practice safeguards can apply to children and young people with disability. Support should remain individualised, developmentally appropriate and centred on the child's rights, needs, communication and wellbeing.

Can Belong Health help identify whether something may be a restrictive practice?
Yes. Our Behaviour Support Practitioners can assess the participant's individual circumstances and help identify potential restrictive practices as part of the Behaviour Support process.

Does Belong Health provide Functional Behaviour Assessments?
Yes. Functional Behaviour Assessment can form part of Positive Behaviour Support and helps identify the functions of behaviour and factors influencing or maintaining it.

Does Belong Health develop Behaviour Support Plans?
Yes. Our Behaviour Support Practitioners can develop Behaviour Support Plans based on the participant's individual circumstances, assessment findings, needs and goals.

Does Belong Health provide Behaviour Support in Perth?
Yes. We provide Positive Behaviour Support across Perth Metro and surrounding areas.

Does Belong Health provide Behaviour Support in Mandurah?
Yes. We provide Positive Behaviour Support across Mandurah, Peel and surrounding areas.

Can Positive Behaviour Support be provided by telehealth?
Yes. Positive Behaviour Support can be delivered through telehealth where clinically appropriate. The appropriate delivery method depends on the participant's individual circumstances and the assessment or support required.

What if I'm unsure whether we have a restrictive practice?
You don't need to work it out by yourself. Contact Belong Health and explain what is happening. We can discuss your situation and help determine the appropriate next steps.
Get Started with Positive Behaviour Support

If you are concerned about behaviours of concern, restrictive practices or an existing Behaviour Support Plan, our team can help you understand the next steps.

💙 Positive Behaviour Support for all ages
​
✓ Registered NDIS Provider
✓ Perth, Mandurah & surrounding areas
✓ Telehealth across Western Australia where appropriate
✓ Free 20-minute Connect Session

Enquire About a Positive Behaviour Support
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.
© COPYRIGHT 2026. BELONG HEALTH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Belong Health
G-DG08MQWCJD G-DG08MQWCJD