| ⚡ Quick Answer – Jump Here If You’re In a Hurry
Psychology helps participants manage mental health, emotional regulation, trauma, and cognitive challenges through evidence-based therapy (CBT, ACT, etc.) delivered by an AHPRA-registered psychologist – funded under Improved Daily Living (Category 15). Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a specialist disability service that addresses behaviours of concern through a structured Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) delivered by an NDIS-Commission-registered behaviour support practitioner – funded under Behaviour Support (Category 13, formerly Improved Relationships). Most importantly: you can have BOTH in your NDIS plan, and for many participants, combining them produces the best outcomes. |
If you have navigated the NDIS for any length of time, you have almost certainly come across both Psychology and Positive Behaviour Support – and wondered whether they do the same thing, which one you need, or whether you can access both. This is one of the most frequently asked questions by participants, families, and support coordinators across Australia.
The answer matters enormously. Choosing the wrong support wastes precious plan funding. Not knowing you can have both may mean you go without critical help. And with the 2025-26 NDIS pricing changes, the new PACE plan system, and the October 2024 rule changes tightening NDIS psychology eligibility, getting this right has never been more important.
This guide gives you the full picture – with exact funding line items, 2025-26 PAPL pricing, practitioner registration requirements, a practical decision guide, and real-world scenarios so you can walk into your next NDIS planning meeting fully prepared.
Contents
- What Is NDIS Psychology?
- What Is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
- Side-by-Side Comparison: Psychology vs PBS
- The 2025-26 NDIS Funding Guide – Where the Money Comes From
- PACE System Update: What Changed for Behaviour Support?
- Practitioner Registration: Who Is Allowed to Deliver Each Service?
- 2025 Psychology Funding Changes – What Families Need to Know
- Can You Have Both Psychology and PBS? (Yes – Here’s How)
- Real-World Scenarios: Which Service Do I Actually Need?
- How to Get Psychology or PBS Into Your NDIS Plan
- Why the Integrated Approach at Capability Support Services Works Better
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What Is NDIS Psychology?
Psychology is a regulated clinical health profession in Australia. All psychologists must be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and are bound by the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) code of ethics. Within the NDIS, psychologists deliver therapeutic supports that address the mental health, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural impacts of a participant’s disability.
Under the NDIS, psychology is not simply general mental health treatment – it must be clearly linked to the participant’s disability and demonstrate how it builds their functional capacity or daily independence. This distinction became especially important following October 2024 rule changes (more on this in Section 7).
Core areas that NDIS psychology covers include:
- Emotional regulation: Building strategies to identify, manage, and express emotions, particularly relevant for participants with autism, ABI, intellectual disability, or PTSD.
- Trauma-informed therapy: Addressing trauma histories that compound disability-related challenges.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Challenging unhelpful thought patterns linked to anxiety, depression, or OCD, where these relate directly to the participant’s disability.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Increasing psychological flexibility and values-based living, particularly effective for participants with chronic disability-related distress.
- Social skills and communication: Structured skill-building around relationships, social cues, and community participation.
- Psychological assessments & reporting: Cognitive, emotional, and functional assessments to inform NDIS plans, school adjustments, or diagnostic reviews.
| 🏥 Regulatory Note
A psychologist delivering NDIS-funded therapy must be AHPRA-registered. Some providers also employ provisionally registered psychologists who work under supervision – these can also deliver NDIS-funded therapy at slightly reduced rates. The NDIS does not fund counsellors, social workers, or coaches under psychology line items. |
2. What Is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive Behaviour Support is a specialist disability practice that is unique to the NDIS – it does not exist in the same form under Medicare or any other funding stream. PBS is exclusively designed for people with disability who experience behaviours of concern: actions that put the participant, others, or property at risk, and that are generally a form of communication when other means have failed.
The defining feature of PBS is that it is not about the participant alone. A PBS practitioner works with the entire support network – the participant, their family, carers, support workers, school staff, and anyone else who is part of their day-to-day life – to understand the function of the behaviour and implement consistent strategies across all environments.
At its core, PBS is a rights-based, person-centred practice that upholds the participant’s dignity and quality of life. The NDIS Commission mandates PBS whenever a participant has a regulated restrictive practice in their plan – this is non-negotiable under national legislation.
Key activities a PBS practitioner delivers include:
- Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA): A structured process identifying triggers, setting events, and the communicative function of behaviours of concern.
- Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) development: A comprehensive written plan outlining proactive strategies, reactive strategies, skill-building goals, and restrictive practice documentation.
- Restrictive practice oversight: Authorisation, monitoring, and reduction planning for any regulated restrictive practices (physical, mechanical, chemical, environmental, or seclusion restraints).
- Training for the support network: Equipping support workers, family members, and educators with the skills to implement strategies consistently.
- Ongoing review and data monitoring: Regular plan reviews, incident analysis, and adjustments to ensure the BSP remains effective and reduces reliance on restrictive practices over time.
3. Side-by-Side Comparison: Psychology vs Positive Behaviour Support
This is the table most families and support coordinators are looking for. We have been thorough because the details matter.
| Feature | 🧠 Psychology | 📋 Positive Behaviour Support |
| Primary Purpose | Improve mental health, emotional regulation, and psychological functioning related to disability | Understand and reduce behaviours of concern; improve quality of life and community participation |
| Who Delivers It | AHPRA-registered Psychologist (or provisionally registered under supervision) | NDIS Commission–registered Behaviour Support Practitioner (4 capability levels: foundational to specialist) |
| Who Is It For | Participants with disability-related mental health, trauma, anxiety, mood, or cognitive challenges | Participants whose disability leads to behaviours of concern that create risk or restrict participation |
| Key Activities | 1:1 therapy (CBT, ACT, DBT), assessments, reports, skill-building, emotional regulation programs | FBA, BSP development, restrictive practice oversight, support network training, data monitoring |
| NDIS Budget Category | Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living (Category 15) | Capacity Building – Behaviour Support (Category 13; formerly Improved Relationships) |
| 2025-26 Hourly Rate (Metro) | $223.99/hr (national standard rate) | $232.99/hr (Specialist); $193.99/hr under Core-ADL line item |
| NDIS Line Item Code | 15_054_0128_1_3 (psychology therapy) | 07_001_0106_1_3 (specialist intervention) | 07_002_0106_1_3 (BSP training) |
| Restrictive Practices Required? | No – psychology is not the mandated support for restrictive practices | YES – mandatory if ANY restrictive practice is in use; legal requirement under NDIS Commission rules |
| Who Is Involved? | Primarily the participant (and family where relevant) | Participant + family + ALL support workers + school/day programme + any carers |
| Medicare Gap Available? | YES – Medicare Mental Health Care Plan (up to 20 sessions with GP referral) | No – PBS is exclusively NDIS-funded |
| Telehealth Available? | Yes – widely available | Yes – particularly for rural/remote; some in-person assessment still recommended |
| Plan Management Flexibility | Self, plan, or agency managed | Self, plan, or agency managed (agency-managed requires endorsed provider via PACE) |
4. The 2025-26 NDIS Funding Guide – Where the Money Comes From
This is where many families get confused – and where precise information can make a real difference at your planning meeting. Here is a complete breakdown of how each service is funded under the current NDIS pricing arrangements.
| Service | Budget Category | NDIS Line Item Code | 2025-26 Rate (Metro) | Notes |
| Psychology Therapy | CB – Improved Daily Living (Cat. 15) | 15_054_0128_1_3 | $223.99/hr | AHPRA registration required |
| Psych Assessment & Report | CB – Improved Daily Living (Cat. 15) | 15_043_0128_1_3 | $223.99/hr | Used for NDIS plan evidence |
| PBS – Specialist Intervention | CB – Behaviour Support (Cat. 13) | 07_001_0106_1_3 | $232.99/hr | BSP development & review |
| PBS – BSP Training | CB – Behaviour Support (Cat. 13) | 07_002_0106_1_3 | $232.99/hr | Training support workers/family |
| PBS via Core-ADL (initial only) | Core – Assistance with Daily Life | 01_741_0128_1_3 | $193.99/hr | For participants without PBS funding; max 15hrs for A&R report |
| PBS Early Childhood (<9 yrs) | CB – Early Childhood (Cat. 15) | 15_005_0118_1_3 | See PAPL | No formal NDIS diagnosis needed |
| 💡 Key Funding Tip for Plan Reviews
Psychology and PBS come from completely different budget categories. Having Psychology in your Improved Daily Living budget does NOT affect your Behaviour Support budget – and vice versa. This means you can and should request both if both needs are present. Always bring a written support letter or report from your therapist and GP to your planning meeting to strengthen your case. |
5. PACE System Update: What Changed for Behaviour Support?
If your NDIS plan has been reviewed or renewed since late 2023, you are likely now on a PACE plan. PACE (Participant and Provider Communication Environment) is the NDIA’s new system, and it brought one important naming change that confuses many people:
| 🔄 Important PACE Name Change
Under PACE plans, the funding category previously called ‘Improved Relationships’ (Category 13) is now called ‘Behaviour Support.’ If your PACE plan shows a ‘Behaviour Support’ budget, this is where your PBS funding lives – it is functionally the same category under a new name. Legacy plans (not yet on PACE) may still show ‘Improved Relationships.’ |
Other key PACE changes that affect how you access Psychology and PBS:
- Provider endorsement for PBS: If you are agency-managed, you must formally endorse your PBS provider in your PACE plan – otherwise they cannot claim. This is mandatory for Behaviour Support, SIL, and SDA under PACE.
- Staged funding periods: From May 2025, most plans now release funding quarterly rather than annually. Plan your therapy schedules accordingly to avoid running short midway through a quarter.
- No more service bookings: Providers no longer hold service bookings in the system. Clear, written service agreements are now even more important for both Psychology and PBS providers.
- Psychology is NOT required to be endorsed: Plan-managed and self-managed participants do not need to endorse their psychologist in PACE unless they are agency-managed.
6. Practitioner Registration: Who Is Allowed to Deliver Each Service?
This matters when choosing a provider – and when verifying that the person delivering your support is actually qualified to do so.
| Requirement | 🧠 Psychology | 📋 PBS Practitioner |
| Governing Body | AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
| Registration Type | AHPRA registration (Psychology Board) – general or area of practice endorsement | Individual registration with NDIS Commission as Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) |
| Capability Levels | N/A – all AHPRA-registered psychologists can deliver NDIS psychology | 4 levels: Foundational | Proficient | Advanced | Specialist (can only work with cases matching their level) |
| Minimum Qualification | 4-year undergraduate + 2-year postgraduate (minimum) + supervised practice period | Varies by level – often allied health degree (OT, psychology, social work, speech pathology) + PBS-specific experience |
| How to Verify | Search AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au | Search NDIS Commission provider register at ndiscommission.gov.au |
| ⚠️ Red Flag to Watch For
Only a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner can develop, sign off, and lodge a Behaviour Support Plan with the NDIS Commission. If you are paying for a BSP from someone not individually registered with the NDIS Commission, the plan is non-compliant and any restrictive practices in it are not legally authorised. Always verify registration before signing any service agreement. |
7. The 2025 Psychology Funding Changes – What Every Family Needs to Know
This section addresses one of the most urgent concerns raised by participants and families right now. Since the NDIS reforms of October 2024, many participants have had their psychology funding reduced or removed at plan reviews. Understanding why – and how to protect your access – is critical.
| 📌 What Changed in October 2024
The NDIS introduced a clearer definition of what qualifies as an ‘NDIS support.’ General mental health treatment – anxiety, depression, relationship stress – that is not directly caused by or related to a permanent disability is no longer automatically funded by the NDIS. These supports may instead be directed to Medicare (Mental Health Treatment Plans, up to 20 sessions/year) or state health services. |
Psychology is still fully funded by the NDIS under two conditions:
- Condition 1 – Disability link: The psychological support must be directly related to a diagnosed disability (e.g. autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, psychosocial disability) and clearly documented as such.
- Condition 2 – Functional impact: The therapy must demonstrably improve the participant’s capacity, independence, or daily functioning – not simply treat general mental health symptoms.
| Scenario | ✅ NDIS Likely to Fund | ❌ NDIS May Redirect to Medicare |
| Anxiety | Anxiety that directly causes behaviours, school refusal, or meltdowns in an autistic participant | Generalised anxiety disorder in a participant whose disability is a physical condition (e.g. cerebral palsy) with no clear functional link |
| Emotional Regulation | Building emotional regulation skills for an autistic participant who cannot self-regulate and cannot participate in day programs as a result | Anger management for a participant whose anger is not linked to their disability |
| Trauma Therapy | Trauma therapy for a participant whose trauma directly compounds their disability (e.g. ABI survivor with complex PTSD affecting daily function) | Trauma therapy that is general in nature and not linked to disability impairment |
The most effective way to protect your psychology funding at plan review is to have your psychologist write a detailed Functional Capacity Assessment or Progress Report that explicitly connects the therapy to your disability-related goals and quantifies functional improvement. At Capability Support Services, our psychology team specialises in writing these reports.
8. Can You Have Both Psychology and PBS in Your NDIS Plan?
Yes – absolutely, and for many participants this combination produces the most powerful outcomes. This is one of the most common misconceptions in the NDIS: that you have to choose between the two. You do not.
Psychology and PBS address different layers of the same challenge. Think of it this way:
| 🧠 Psychology addresses the WHY inside the person
↕ 📋 PBS addresses the HOW in the world around the person |
For example: A 14-year-old autistic participant has significant anxiety that leads to aggressive outbursts at school and home (behaviours of concern). A psychologist works with the young person directly to develop emotional literacy and anxiety management skills (addressing the internal experience). Simultaneously, a PBS practitioner works with the family, school, and support workers to change the environment, remove unnecessary triggers, and develop consistent responses to de-escalate situations before they escalate to aggression (addressing the external system). Each service strengthens the other – and the research consistently shows that this combined approach leads to faster reduction in behaviours of concern and better long-term outcomes.
| ✅ How to Request Both in Your NDIS Plan
At your NDIS planning meeting, request funding for both ‘Improved Daily Living’ (for Psychology) and ‘Behaviour Support’ (for PBS). These are separate categories and do not compete for the same budget. Bring supporting reports from both practitioners – or, if starting fresh, ask for a combined assessment from an integrated provider like Capability Support Services who can deliver both. |
9. Real-World Scenarios: Which Service Do You Actually Need?
These scenarios are designed to help you identify the right pathway quickly. Based on the most common situations we see at Capability Support Services across the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
| Scenario | Best Fit | Why |
| 10yr autistic child, meltdowns at school and home, school suggesting suspension | BOTH 🔄 | PBS for the school/home environment strategies and BSP; Psychology for anxiety management and emotional regulation work with the child directly |
| Adult with intellectual disability in SIL – aggressive towards housemates, restrictive practices in place | PBS ✅ (mandatory) | A registered BSP is legally required when restrictive practices are used. PBS is the mandated primary support here. Psychology may complement once safety is established. |
| Young adult with PTSD from childhood, disability is a psychosocial condition, struggling to leave home | Psychology ✅ | No behaviours of concern posing risk to others. The focus is internal – trauma processing and building capacity to participate in life. This is core psychology territory. |
| Child with ABI, frustration-based aggression, family exhausted and inconsistent in responding | BOTH 🔄 | PBS for family training, environmental strategies, and BSP. Psychology to address the child’s emotional dysregulation and cognitive impacts of the ABI. |
| Teenager with ADHD, no behaviours of concern, but struggling with anxiety, school avoidance, and low mood | Psychology ✅ | No risk behaviours, no restrictive practices. CBT and ACT through NDIS psychology (if disability-linked – ensure documentation supports this). Also consider Medicare Mental Health Care Plan. |
| New NDIS participant – no history of previous therapy, unsure where to start | Start with Psychology ✅ | A psychological assessment can often clarify whether PBS is also needed. This gives you the clearest picture before investing in either service. |
10. How to Get Psychology or PBS Into Your NDIS Plan
Whether you are preparing for your first NDIS plan or approaching a plan review, here is the step-by-step process to ensure you get the right therapy supports funded.
| Step | Action | Detail |
| 1 | Document your needs | Keep a behaviour diary for 2–4 weeks if PBS-related, or a mood/symptom log if psychology-related. Real-world evidence is your most powerful tool at a planning meeting. |
| 2 | Get a GP letter or referral | Your GP can write a letter supporting the need for psychological therapy (and issuing a Mental Health Care Plan for Medicare alongside your NDIS supports). For PBS, a support coordinator or allied health professional can also write a letter of recommendation. |
| 3 | Request an assessment | Contact a provider (like Capability Support Services) to conduct an initial assessment. For PBS, this can be funded through your Core-ADL budget (up to 15 hours) even without existing Behaviour Support funding – it produces the A&R Report that is used to request PBS funding at your next plan review. |
| 4 | At your planning meeting | Use the terms ‘Improved Daily Living’ (for Psychology) and ‘Behaviour Support’ (for PBS). Bring all reports. Request specific dollar amounts or hours, not just vague mentions of the service. |
| 5 | After your plan is approved | Under PACE, ensure you endorse your PBS provider at the category level if agency-managed. Set up your service agreement before starting therapy. Review progress every 6–12 weeks. |
11. Why the Integrated Approach at Capability Support Services Delivers Better Outcomes
Most NDIS participants see their psychologist and their PBS practitioner at different organisations – meaning two separate providers, two separate plans, two separate communication channels, and significant risk of duplication or contradiction in strategies.
At Capability Support Services, our allied health team includes both AHPRA-registered psychologists and NDIS Commission–registered Behaviour Support Practitioners who work in the same organisation, attend the same case meetings, and use the same shared care framework. This means:
- Your PBS strategies are trauma-informed: Because our psychologists share insights with PBS practitioners (with consent), the behaviour support plan reflects the participant’s psychological profile – not just their observable behaviour.
- Your therapy goals align with your BSP: When a psychologist builds emotional regulation skills, the PBS practitioner reinforces those exact same skills in daily support environments. Consistency is the single most powerful factor in behaviour change.
- Less duplication, more efficiency: Shared documentation means fewer repeated assessments, faster reporting for NDIS plan reviews, and lower total cost from your plan.
- One point of contact: Your family deals with one team, one referral process, and one ongoing relationship – dramatically reducing the coordination burden that exhausts so many NDIS families.
We serve participants across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and rural, remote, and outreach communities Australia-wide. Telehealth is available for both psychology and PBS supports – ensuring that geography is never a barrier to quality care.
| 📞 Book a Free Consultation
Not sure which service is right for your family – or whether you need both? Contact Capability Support Services for a no-obligation consultation. Call 1800 299 399, email info@capabilityss.com.au, or visit capabilityss.com.au. Our team can review your current NDIS plan and recommend the most effective pathway. |
