Positive behaviour support (PBS) helps children who show behaviours of concern to feel understood, supported and set up to thrive at home, school and in the community. This guide explains what behaviour support involves, how NDIS funding works, and how to choose a provider on the Sunshine Coast — and features a shortlist of local services parents can explore.
Multidisciplinary allied health provider with Sunshine Coast clinic offering OT, physiotherapy, speech pathology, positive behaviour support, dietetics and allied health assistants for all ages under NDIS plans. No telehealth or waitlist details specified; intake via referral form, contact made when availability arises.
Registered NDIS provider in Maroochydore offering speech pathology, occupational therapy and paediatric physiotherapy, plus support work and life skills programs. Serves children (from 6 months) through teens and adults with disabilities. Sessions available at the centre, in-home, community, school or via Telehealth.
Registered NDIS provider on the Sunshine Coast offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and positive behaviour support. Services available in-clinic, at home, at school, or via telehealth. Open to NDIS and private-paying clients; no waitlist mentioned.
Maroochydore-based paediatric provider (with Perth mobile OT and regional QLD outreach) supporting infancy to adolescence via occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, autism assessment, and group therapy. Supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed participants; no referral required; no explicit telehealth or waitlist mention.
Sure Psychology, Sunshine Coast, offers clinical psychology, neuropsychological assessment, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) services aligned with NDIS best-practice guidelines, serving children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Team includes clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and provisional psychologists; some clinicians treat ASD and ADHD.
Registered NDIS provider offering speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, positive behaviour support, and group sessions for children and teens across Sunshine Coast centres including Kawana; also SDSS-funded school services; no waitlist mentioned for OT at Nambour.
Maroochydore-based psychology practice offering assessment and therapy for children, teens, and adults, covering ADHD, anxiety, autism, behavioural support, and learning assessments using evidence-based approaches like CBT and ACT.
Sunshine Behaviour Support is a Noosa, QLD provider offering behaviour support services. No further details on ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist were provided in the website text.
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 understanding your child, their environment and what a behaviour is communicating — whether that's frustration, sensory overload, anxiety, difficulty with transitions, or trouble being understood.
From there, they usually develop a positive behaviour support plan. This is a practical document that describes your child's strengths, the behaviours of concern, the likely triggers and functions, and a set of proactive strategies to reduce distress and teach new skills. Good plans focus on changing the environment and building capacity in the people around the child (parents, carers, educators), not just the child themselves.
Behaviour support often works best alongside other therapies such as occupational therapy, speech pathology or psychology, particularly where communication, sensory needs or mental health are part of the picture.
Every child has big feelings sometimes. You might consider behaviour support if your child regularly experiences:
A good rule of thumb: if a behaviour is getting in the way of your child participating and enjoying daily life — and the usual parenting strategies aren't helping — it's worth seeking advice.
Behaviour support can help children of almost any age, from early childhood through to teenagers. Approaches are tailored to developmental stage — play-based and environmental strategies for younger children, and more collaborative, self-regulation and independence-focused work for older kids and teens. Early support can make a real difference, so you don't need to wait for behaviours to become severe.
The first session is usually about getting to know your family. Expect the practitioner to ask lots of questions about your child's history, development, strengths, what a typical day looks like, and what's happening around the behaviours of concern. They may ask permission to speak with your child's school or other therapists, and to observe your child at home, at kindy or at school.
This information-gathering phase (often called a functional assessment) can take several sessions before a behaviour support plan is written. You should be treated as the expert on your own child throughout.
Under the NDIS, behaviour support is funded through Capacity Building — Improved Relationships, which specifically covers behaviour support assessment, plan development and implementation. Some related work may also draw on Improved Daily Living.
The NDIS sets price caps for behaviour support each year, published in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. As a general guide, behaviour support practitioner hourly rates in Australia typically fall in the $150–$220+ per hour range, depending on the practitioner's level and complexity. Assessment and plan development usually involve several hours across multiple sessions.
These figures are general ranges only and change over time — always confirm current pricing and how it will be billed against your plan directly with the provider.
If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you have more flexibility over which providers you use; agency-managed plans require an NDIS-registered provider.
This page features Sunshine Coast providers including My Therapy Crew (Alexandra Headland), Northcott Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore), Better Rehab (Sippy Downs), More Than Able Therapy (Maroochydore), Bear in Mind Psychology (Maroochydore), Ability Action Australia (Maroochydore) and several others across Nambour, Kawana, Bokarina and Peregian Springs. When comparing them, look at:
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a provider who genuinely fits your family — and gives your child the best chance to thrive.
Or read the full behaviour support guide, or browse all Sunshine Coast providers.
Not necessarily. Behaviour support is commonly funded through the NDIS under Capacity Building — Improved Relationships, but families can also pay privately. If you have an NDIS plan, check that behaviour support is included in your funding and how your plan is managed before booking.
Behaviour support is generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Relationships, which covers assessment, plan development and implementation. Some related supports may draw on Improved Daily Living. Confirm the details with your plan manager or support coordinator.
As a general guide, behaviour support practitioner rates in Australia typically range from around $150–$220+ per hour, and the NDIS sets annual price caps. These are indicative figures only and change over time, so always confirm current pricing directly with the provider.
Waitlists vary between providers and change frequently, as demand across the region is high. It's worth contacting several providers listed on this page — including those in Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Sippy Downs and Nambour — and asking about current wait times before committing.
Ask whether the practitioner is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as a behaviour support practitioner, and check any relevant professional registration such as AHPRA (psychologists), Speech Pathology Australia or Occupational Therapy Australia. Also ask about their experience with children of your child's age and needs.