Positive behaviour support (PBS) helps children who are experiencing distress or challenging behaviours by understanding the reasons behind those behaviours and building practical strategies that work for the whole family. This guide explains what behaviour support involves, how NDIS funding fits in, and how to choose a provider in Cairns. The page also features local providers, ranked by rating, to help you start your search.
NDIS-registered provider offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, positive behaviour support, psychology, and physiotherapy across North Queensland clinics including Cairns. Services offered in-clinic, at home, school, community, or via telehealth. No referral required except for Medicare subsidy claims.
Cairns-based psychology, counselling and assessment service for individuals and families, including kids, teens and adults. Offers clinical psychology, behaviour support, early childhood intervention, and autism/ADHD/learning difficulty assessments. Medicare, NDIS and WorkCover accepted. Psychology waitlist closed; NDIS and counselling limited availability; assessments available with short wait.
Aruma is an NDIS-registered provider with Queensland services including Cairns; website mentions general 'Therapy services' and explicit Positive Behaviour Support offerings. No specific practitioner names, age ranges, telehealth details, or waitlist information are provided for the Cairns (Manoora) location.
Provides speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support and early intervention (ages 0-7) for autistic children through adults. Offers diagnostic assessments, therapy groups, AQ School (Prep-Year 6), and telepractice/face-to-face options.
Registered NDIS provider (Specialist Behaviour Support and Therapeutic Supports) since 2019, based in Cairns/FNQ. Offers behaviour support, therapeutic counselling, and family/children's clinic services for individuals with complex behaviours across Australia.
Coastal Calm (Palm Cove, FNQ) offers holistic counselling and naturopathic consultations for women and children, available in-clinic or via telehealth across Australia and NZ. Naturopathy is not NDIS funded. Practitioner Lorna McInnes has background in early childhood intervention and ABA therapy. No waitlist mentioned.
Autism Queensland Cairns – Bungalow offers diagnostic assessments, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support, early intervention (ages 0-7) and therapy groups for autistic children through adults, with face-to-face and telepractice options.
Cairns-based child and adolescent psychology practice offering assessments (ASD, ADHD, cognitive), psychology intervention, and early intervention for autistic children aged 2–9. NDIS registered, Medicare rebates available, Ahpra registered. No telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-based, non-punitive approach that focuses on understanding why a behaviour is happening rather than just trying to stop it. A behaviour support practitioner will get to know your child, observe them across different settings (home, school, community), and identify the triggers, unmet needs, or communication difficulties that may be driving behaviours such as meltdowns, aggression, self-injury, or withdrawal.
The practitioner then develops a positive behaviour support plan — a written document that outlines your child's strengths, the function of specific behaviours, and practical, proactive strategies for parents, carers, and educators to use consistently. The goal is to improve your child's quality of life and reduce distress for everyone, while building skills and teaching alternative ways to communicate and cope.
Every child has hard days, but you might consider behaviour support if your child regularly:
Behaviour support is often helpful for children with autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or intellectual disability, but a formal diagnosis isn't always required to start.
Behaviour support can be helpful from the early years right through adolescence. For younger children (under 7), support often overlaps with early intervention and involves close work with parents. For older children and teens, strategies may focus more directly on the young person's own coping skills and self-regulation. The approach is always tailored to your child's developmental stage.
The first appointment is usually a conversation. The practitioner will ask about your child's history, what a typical day looks like, what's working well, and what's challenging. They may ask for reports from other professionals (paediatrician, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, or school) with your consent.
After this, they'll often complete a period of assessment — this can include observations, questionnaires, and discussions with people who know your child. Only then is the behaviour support plan written. This process takes time, so don't expect strategies on day one.
Allied health and behaviour support services in Australia are generally charged in the range of $150–$220+ per hour, and the NDIS publishes price caps for registered supports (these are reviewed and updated regularly). Behaviour support practitioner rates and specialist assessment items are set out in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Prices vary by practitioner experience and complexity, so always ask for a quote and a service agreement up front. This is general guidance only — confirm current pricing directly with the provider.
Under the NDIS, behaviour support usually sits under the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget. Assessment, plan development, training for carers, and review are all typically funded from this line. If your child is NDIS-funded, check which budget your plan draws from and whether you are self-managed, plan-managed, or agency-managed, as this affects which providers you can use.
If you don't have NDIS funding, some support may be accessible privately or through other pathways — ask providers what options they offer.
When comparing providers, look for:
This page features Cairns providers including Allied Therapeutic Services Cairns (Bungalow), Cairns Family Therapy Psychology & Counselling (Smithfield), Aruma: Cairns (Manoora), Autism Queensland Cairns locations at Edmonton and Bungalow, CRAMLI Psychological and Behavioural Services (Smithfield), Inspire Early Intervention (Kewarra Beach), and Caterpillar Clinic (Bungalow). Contact them directly to confirm services, availability, and fees.
Taking the time to ask these questions helps ensure you find a provider who suits your child and your family's goals.
Or read the full behaviour support guide, or browse all Cairns providers.
Not always. Behaviour support is commonly funded through the NDIS under the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget, but some families access support privately or through other pathways. Ask each provider what funding and payment options they offer, and check your NDIS plan to see which budget applies.
As a general guide, allied health and behaviour support in Australia is often charged around $150–$220+ per hour, and the NDIS publishes price caps that are reviewed regularly. Actual costs vary with practitioner experience and complexity, so ask for a written quote and service agreement before starting.
Waitlists in Cairns and Far North Queensland can vary and are sometimes long. The best approach is to contact several providers directly, ask about their current waitlist, and join a list early. Some providers may offer telehealth or interim support while you wait.
Behaviour support may be delivered by AHPRA-registered psychologists or by recognised behaviour support practitioners assessed as suitable by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. For any co-treating therapists, you can check Speech Pathology Australia, OT Australia, or AHPRA registration.
A behaviour support practitioner gets to know your child through conversation, observation across settings, and input from you and others who know them. Parents and carers are central to the process, since consistent strategies at home and school are key to a plan's success.