Finding the right behaviour support for your child can feel overwhelming, especially when you're also learning your way around the NDIS. This guide explains what positive behaviour support involves, how it's funded, and what to look for when choosing a provider in the Wollongong and Illawarra region.
Registered NDIS provider in Wollongong/Warilla offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Services provided in-clinic, at home, in community, and via telehealth; open to NDIS and private clients.
NDIS behaviour support provider serving children, teens, and adults across Illawarra (Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra). Offers Functional Behaviour Assessments, Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans, and ongoing capacity building. Trauma-informed, neuro-affirming approach with immediate availability noted; no telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Capable Kids South Coast offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Behaviour and Parenting Support for children, delivered by skilled professionals providing tailored intervention services to help children reach their developmental potential.
NDIS-registered provider in Wollongong offering Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Positive Behaviour Support, Exercise Physiology and Early Childhood Key Worker support for children up to age 9, teens and adults; clinic, home, school and community sessions available.
Multidisciplinary provider (Bowral, NSW, plus other locations) offering speech pathology, occupational therapy, positive behaviour support, and key worker early intervention (under age 9) services for NDIS clients, across the lifespan, with telehealth available Australia-wide.
Shellharbour-based psychology practice offering adult and child psychology, family therapy, NDIS therapeutic supports, ADHD/Autism diagnostic assessments, and perinatal psychology. Offers in-person and telehealth sessions. SIRA-approved for workers compensation.
ORS is a national NDIS-registered provider offering behaviour support, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and early childhood key worker supports for children, adults and families. Telehealth available nationally; no wait lists for behaviour support mentioned; multidisciplinary, evidence-based services across NSW, VIC, WA and ACT.
Real Therapy Solutions is a registered NDIS provider offering occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and behaviour support for individuals and NDIS participants of all ages, with clinics across Sydney and Wollongong plus telehealth for regional/remote clients.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a strengths-based, evidence-informed approach that helps children who show behaviours of concern — things like frequent meltdowns, aggression, self-injury, running off (elopement), or extreme difficulty with transitions. Rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour, PBS looks at why it's happening and what the child is trying to communicate.
A behaviour support practitioner will usually observe your child, talk with you and other people who know them (like teachers or educators), and identify the triggers and functions behind challenging behaviours. From there they develop a behaviour support plan — a practical document with strategies for you and other carers to use consistently at home, school and in the community. The goal is to improve your child's quality of life and teach new skills, not just manage difficult moments.
Every child has hard days, but you might consider behaviour support if your child regularly:
Behaviour support isn't about labelling a child as "naughty". It's about understanding unmet needs and giving everyone around the child better tools.
Behaviour support can help children of almost any age, from toddlers through to teenagers. Approaches are tailored to a child's developmental stage — early support for younger children often focuses heavily on coaching parents and building routines, while support for older children and teens may involve the young person more directly in setting goals.
The first session is usually an information-gathering meeting. Expect the practitioner to ask lots of questions about your child's history, strengths, challenges, medical background, and what a typical day looks like. They may also want consent to speak with your child's school or other therapists. Early on, you might be asked to keep a simple diary of behaviours — noting what happened before, during and after — so patterns can be identified. This assessment phase often takes a few sessions before a written plan is produced.
Behaviour support in Australia is generally billed by the hour. As a rough guide, expect fees in the range of $150–$220+ per hour, depending on the practitioner's experience and level. The NDIS publishes price caps in its Pricing Arrangements, and registered providers must charge at or below these limits — always ask a provider to confirm their current rates in writing.
On an NDIS plan, behaviour support is usually funded under Capacity Building – Improved Relationships (which covers the specialist behaviour support assessment and plan) and sometimes Improved Daily Living. If your child is likely to need a plan involving regulated restrictive practices, this must be handled by a suitably qualified practitioner and lodged with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Ask your provider or support coordinator which line applies to your situation.
This page features a range of Wollongong and Illawarra providers — including Better Rehab in Warilla, Illawarra Behaviour Support in the CBD, Capable Kids South Coast and Real Therapy Solutions in Port Kembla, Ability Action Australia, ORS in Corrimal, and Haven Psychology in Shellharbour, among others. When comparing them, consider:
Taking the time to ask these questions upfront helps you find a provider who's the right match — and gives your child the best chance of meaningful progress. For any concerns about your child's health or development, speak with your GP or paediatrician.
Or read the full behaviour support guide, or browse all Wollongong providers.
Not necessarily — you can pay privately for behaviour support. However, most families access it through NDIS funding, usually under Capacity Building line items. If you're unsure whether your plan covers it, ask your support coordinator or the provider to confirm which funding line applies.
The assessment phase usually takes several sessions of observation, interviews and data gathering before a written plan is produced. Timeframes vary between providers, so ask about their process and any current waitlist when you first make contact.
All NDIS behaviour support practitioners must be assessed as suitable by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Many are also registered psychologists, occupational therapists or speech pathologists. You can check professional registration through AHPRA, OT Australia or Speech Pathology Australia.
As a general guide, expect around $150–$220+ per hour, though this varies. The NDIS sets price caps that registered providers must not exceed. Always ask a provider to confirm their current rates in writing before starting.
Some Wollongong providers offer telehealth, particularly for parent coaching and plan reviews. Whether it suits your child depends on their age and needs — direct observation is often valuable early on. Ask each provider what they offer.