Understanding Restrictive Practices in the NDIS

Restrictive practices are one of the most important and least understood parts of disability support. Families often discover they are in use only when a provider mentions paperwork, or when a new behaviour support practitioner asks about a locked cupboard at home. This guide explains what restrictive practices are, the rules that govern them, how authorisation works in Queensland, and why the goal is always to reduce them.

What a restrictive practice is

A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Under the NDIS, some of these are regulated restrictive practices, which means strict rules apply when an NDIS provider uses them.

The five regulated types

• Seclusion: keeping a person alone in a room or space they cannot leave, or believe they cannot leave.
• Chemical restraint: using medication mainly to control behaviour, rather than to treat a diagnosed condition.
• Mechanical restraint: using a device to stop or limit movement for the purpose of controlling behaviour.
• Physical restraint: using physical force to stop or limit movement for the purpose of controlling behaviour.
• Environmental restraint: restricting free access to parts of the environment or items, such as locking a fridge, a door or a cupboard.

Some practices should never be used at all. Physical restraints that restrict breathing or cause pain, and restraining someone face down or face up on the floor, are examples of practices the NDIS Commission considers unsafe and not to be used.

When they can be used

A regulated restrictive practice should only ever be used as a last resort, to reduce the risk of harm to the person or others. When it is used, it must be:

• The least restrictive option available.
• Used for the shortest time possible.
• Proportionate to the risk.
• Part of a behaviour support plan written by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
• Authorised under the laws of the state or territory where it is used.

Providers must report their use of regulated restrictive practices to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Using one without authorisation, or not in line with the plan, is a reportable incident.

Behaviour support plans and restrictive practices

Where a regulated restrictive practice is in use, the person must have a behaviour support plan. The rules require an interim plan within one month of the behaviour support provider being engaged and a comprehensive plan within six months, based on a functional behaviour assessment. Our guide to behaviour support plans explains the process in detail.

Authorisation in Queensland

The NDIS sets the national rules, but authorisation is a state responsibility. In Queensland, a regulated restrictive practice used by an NDIS provider needs authorisation under Queensland law. Depending on the type of practice and the person's situation, the process can involve the Queensland Government's disability services department, and consent from a guardian appointed through QCAT where the person needs a substitute decision maker.

Queensland has been reforming its restrictive practices framework, so the exact steps depend on the practice and the timing. A good practitioner will explain the current process clearly, tell you who needs to be involved, and help the provider get it right. Other states and territories have their own processes, which is worth knowing if you move interstate.

What about restrictive practices at home?

The NDIS rules on regulated restrictive practices apply to NDIS providers. Families are not regulated in the same way, but the same practices can still happen at home, often out of real necessity, like locking knives away or holding a door closed during a meltdown. If that is happening in your home, tell your behaviour support practitioner. Not to get into trouble, but because it is exactly the kind of thing a good plan can help you move away from safely.

Reduction and elimination

A restrictive practice is never meant to be permanent. Every behaviour support plan that includes one should also include a clear strategy to reduce and, where possible, eliminate it. That usually means:

• Understanding what the behaviour is communicating, and meeting that need another way.
• Changing routines, environments and communication so difficult moments happen less often.
• Building the person's skills to cope, communicate and regulate.
• Training supporters in strategies that de-escalate early.
• Reviewing the data regularly and stepping the restriction down as things improve.

Reduction is not only about compliance. Restrictive practices can cause fear, trauma and injury, and they limit a person's life. Every step towards removing one is a step towards a bigger, freer life.

Our approach

At Savora Collective we take a least restrictive approach, grounded in Positive Behaviour Support. We start by understanding the person rather than the behaviour, we treat any restriction as something to work away from, and we make sure families understand exactly what is being used, why, and what the plan is to reduce it. Where plans need it, we have access to Advanced Practitioner sign-off.

If you are unsure whether something happening in your home or a service counts as a restrictive practice, ask. It is a fair question, and a good provider will welcome it.