Positive behaviour support (PBS) helps children who show challenging or distressed behaviours by understanding the reasons behind them and building better ways to cope and communicate. This guide explains what behaviour support involves, how it's funded through the NDIS, and how to choose a provider in the Newcastle area — including the practitioners featured on this page.
NDIS-registered provider offering speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, behaviour support and allied health assistance. Services Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Gunnedah, Central Coast, East Maitland, plus telehealth across Eastern Australia.
Registered NDIS provider in Beresfield/Maitland offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and early childhood supports (children up to 9) plus youth employment services (15-24 yrs). Delivered at home, school, work, community. No waitlists mentioned; private clients accepted except for PBS.
Eleva8 provides NDIS behaviour support, mentoring, and consultancy for males in out-of-home care, NDIS participants, and private clients, including complex/forensic cases, ASD, ADHD, and trauma support. No specific ages, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Pathways EI provides mobile and clinic-based ABA-based early intervention and behaviour support for children aged 18 months to 12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities, serving Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, and Port Macquarie regions, overseen by Board Certified Behaviour Analysts.
Newcastle, NSW clinic offering weight-inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder treatment, nutrition therapy, and psychosocial/mental health support. No explicit mention of client ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist status.
Newcastle-based provider offering psychology, occupational therapy, behaviour support, and dietetics for people of all ages, using evidence-based approaches like CBT and ACT. No NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details specified.
Sunny Steps Psychology offers psychological assessment, behaviour support and counselling for children, adolescents and adults, plus professional training and supervision. No specific ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details provided.
Registered NDIS provider in Bellbird/Cessnock, NSW offering Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Positive Behaviour Support, Dietetics, and Early Childhood Intervention. Serves NDIS, Medicare, and private patients. Telehealth available for most services; appointment availability varies by practitioner and service.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach that looks at why a child behaves the way they do, rather than just trying to stop a behaviour. A behaviour support practitioner spends time getting to know your child, your family and the settings where difficulties happen (home, school, community). They then develop a plan that reduces distress, teaches new skills, and changes the environment so your child can succeed.
Work usually focuses on understanding triggers, teaching communication and emotional regulation, and coaching the adults around the child — parents, carers and sometimes teachers — so support stays consistent. The goal is a better quality of life for the whole family, not just fewer incidents.
Every child has hard days, but you might consider behaviour support if your child regularly:
Behaviour is communication. Persistent, distressing patterns are often a sign a child needs new skills or a different environment — not that they're being "naughty".
Behaviour support can help across childhood and into adolescence. Early intervention (roughly ages 2–7) tends to have the biggest impact because habits and skills are still forming, but school-aged children and teenagers benefit too. Approaches are always tailored to the child's developmental stage, communication level and interests.
The first session is usually an intake and information-gathering conversation. Expect the practitioner to ask about your child's development, health, communication, sleep, school, and the specific behaviours worrying you. They may ask you to describe recent incidents in detail — what happened before, during and after.
Over the following weeks, the practitioner may observe your child at home, school or in the clinic, and gather input from others who know them. This assessment (often called a functional behaviour assessment) feeds into a written behaviour support plan with clear, practical strategies. You should be treated as a partner throughout — you know your child best.
Behaviour support is funded under the NDIS in the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget. This is a specific line, so check your child's plan to confirm funding is allocated there before booking.
The NDIS sets price limits for behaviour support that vary with the practitioner's assessed complexity level. As a general guide, hourly rates in Australia commonly sit in the $150–$220+ per hour range, and NDIS price caps apply. Report writing, assessment and travel may also be billed against your plan. Costs are indicative only — always ask each provider for a written quote or service agreement, and check whether the rate fits within NDIS price caps.
If you're not with the NDIS, some families access support privately or through a Medicare-referred mental health plan (via a GP), though behaviour support itself is not always Medicare-rebatable. Ask providers what payment options they offer.
This page features providers across the Newcastle area, including Quinn Health & Development (Gateshead), Everyday Independence Maitland (Beresfield), Eleva8 Behaviour Support (Merewether), Pathways Early Intervention (Mayfield), Sunny Steps Psychology (Hamilton), Care Alliance Disability Support & Psychology (Charlestown), Better Rehab Newcastle (Cooks Hill), ORS New Lambton, Red Frog For Families (Broadmeadow), Oracle Psychology (Newcastle), Hability (Mayfield) and Beam Health (Warners Bay).
When comparing them, look at:
Taking the time to ask these questions upfront helps you find the right match for your family.
Or read the full behaviour support guide, or browse all Newcastle providers.
Yes. Behaviour support is generally funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Relationships budget in an NDIS plan. Check your child's plan to confirm funding is allocated there, and ask each provider for a written service agreement before starting.
As a general guide, hourly rates in Australia commonly sit in the $150–$220+ range, and NDIS price caps apply. Assessment, report writing and travel may also be billed. These figures are indicative only — always request a written quote from the provider.
Behaviour support can help from toddlerhood through to the teenage years. Early intervention (roughly ages 2–7) often has the greatest impact, but school-aged children and adolescents benefit too, with strategies tailored to their developmental stage.
Ask whether the provider is NDIS registered and how their practitioner's complexity level is assessed. Check credentials with the relevant body — AHPRA for psychologists, Occupational Therapy Australia for OTs, or Speech Pathology Australia where speech is involved.
Many Newcastle providers offer some sessions online, which can suit families in outer suburbs or with busy schedules. Ask each provider what parts of assessment, coaching and review can be done via telehealth versus in person.