Positive behaviour support (PBS) helps children who are finding certain situations hard by understanding what's behind challenging behaviour and building practical strategies for the whole family. This guide explains how behaviour support works, what it costs, how NDIS funding fits in, and how to choose a provider in Geelong. It also features a shortlist of local services you can compare.
Multidisciplinary paediatric practice in Geelong CBD offering Speech Pathology, OT, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Dietetics, Positive Behaviour Support, Support Coordination, Plan Management and Allied Health Assistance. Physiotherapy treats from 1-day-old babies to adolescents. NDIS-related services mentioned; no explicit NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details stated.
Registered NDIS provider in Geelong (Newtown) offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and allied health assistant support. Services provided in-clinic, at home, in community, and via telehealth across the Barwon region. Open to NDIS and private-paying clients, no NDIS plan required.
Registered NDIS provider in Mornington (Peninsula) offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support and early childhood supports for children up to nine, plus therapy for teens/adults; no waitlists advertised; delivered at home, school, workplace, community.
Registered NDIS provider in Newtown/Geelong offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and early childhood supports (children up to 9). Serves children, teens, and adults; also youth employment services (ages 15-24). No waitlists mentioned; services delivered at home, school, work, community.
Step 2 Allied Health serves Greater Geelong, Colac and Sale regions since 2020, offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, counselling, behaviour support, and support work/peer mentorship. Sister company Step 2 Plan Management provides plan management. No ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details specified.
Geelong-based team offering child psychology, assessments (cognitive, autism, PDA, dyslexia), and NDIS-registered Positive Behaviour Support for ages 5-25, available in-person and via telehealth across Australia; also offers parent support program.
NDIS registered provider offering in-clinic and telehealth support for children, young people and young adults across Melbourne (incl. Geelong). Services include play therapy, psychology/diagnostic assessments, occupational therapy, positive behaviour support, early intervention, parent support, adolescent counselling and group/school readiness programs.
Registered NDIS provider in Geelong offering Plan Management, Employment Support, Peer Mentor Program, Behaviour Support, Psychology, Support Coordination, Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy, and Gemiini learning system. Serves NDIS participants including early childhood intervention; no specific ages, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-informed approach that looks at why a child behaves the way they do, rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour. A behaviour support practitioner spends time getting to know your child, your family and the settings your child spends time in (home, school, childcare). They then develop a behaviour support plan with strategies to prevent distress, teach new skills, and respond consistently when things get tough.
The focus is on improving quality of life. A good plan builds on your child's strengths, adjusts the environment to reduce triggers, and gives the adults around your child a shared, practical way to respond. Behaviour support is not about punishment — it's about understanding needs and teaching more helpful ways to communicate and cope.
Every child has big feelings sometimes. It may be worth exploring behaviour support if you notice patterns such as:
Behaviour support often works best alongside other therapies (like speech pathology or occupational therapy), because challenging behaviour can be a way of communicating an underlying need.
Behaviour support can help children of almost any age, from toddlers through to teenagers. Strategies are always tailored to a child's developmental stage. For younger children, much of the work involves coaching parents and carers; for older children and teens, the child may be more directly involved in setting goals.
The first appointment is usually an information-gathering session. Expect the practitioner to ask lots of questions about your child's history, routines, what's working, what isn't, and what you'd like to change. They may want to observe your child at home or in another setting, and to gather input from teachers or other therapists (with your consent).
From there, the practitioner develops a functional assessment and a behaviour support plan. This takes several sessions. You should be an active partner throughout — a plan only works if it fits your family and you feel confident putting it into practice.
Behaviour support under the NDIS is funded through Capacity Building — Improved Relationships (or Improved Daily Living for some allied health input). The NDIS publishes annual price limits (caps) for behaviour support services, and registered providers must charge within these caps.
As a general guide, behaviour support and allied health services in Australia often fall in the range of roughly $190–$220+ per hour, with specialist behaviour support practitioners sometimes charging within the NDIS specialist range. These are indicative figures only — always confirm current pricing directly with the provider, as rates and NDIS price caps change over time.
If your child has behaviour support in their NDIS plan, sessions, report writing and travel are typically drawn from your Capacity Building budget. If you're self-funding privately, ask for a written quote before you start.
This page features local providers including Language For Life, Better Rehab - Geelong, Everyday Independence Geelong, Step 2 Allied Health, Think Psychologists Geelong, Play Therapy Melbourne, Access Your Supports - Geelong, Geelong Neuropsychology, National PBS Geelong, Scope Therapy - Geelong, Behaviour Support Services and Change for Life. Ratings and review numbers vary, and a small number of reviews doesn't necessarily mean poor quality — use them as one signal among many.
When comparing providers, check:
Behaviour support is a partnership. Take your time, ask questions, and choose a provider who listens to your family and explains things clearly. This guide is general information only and is not medical advice — for concerns about your child, speak with your GP, paediatrician or a qualified practitioner.
Or read the full behaviour support guide, or browse all Geelong providers.
Yes. If behaviour support is in your child's NDIS plan, it's usually funded under Capacity Building — Improved Relationships. Providers delivering NDIS-funded behaviour support must charge within NDIS price limits and meet Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements. Confirm funding details with your plan manager or support coordinator.
As a general guide, allied health and behaviour support in Australia often ranges from about $190–$220+ per hour, with specialist practitioners sometimes at higher rates. These are indicative only — NDIS price caps apply and change annually, so ask each Geelong provider for current pricing and a written quote.
Ask about credentials directly. Behaviour support may be delivered by psychologists and occupational therapists (registered with AHPRA / OT Australia), social workers, or other allied health professionals. Check NDIS registration status with the Quality and Safeguards Commission, and ask about experience with children of your child's age.
Waitlists vary between providers and can be several weeks to months due to high demand. Always ask about current wait times for both the first appointment and ongoing sessions, and ask to be placed on a cancellation list if one is available.
Often yes, particularly parent coaching and plan reviews. Direct observation of your child usually works best in person, but many Geelong providers offer a mix of in-home, in-clinic and telehealth sessions. Ask each provider what they offer if travel is difficult for your family.