Restrictive Practices

A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Under the NDIS framework, five practices are regulated: seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint.

The use of a regulated restrictive practice is only permitted as a last resort, in response to risk of harm, and as the least restrictive option for the shortest possible time. It must be clearly identified in a behaviour support plan developed by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner considered suitable by the Commission.

Each state and territory operates an authorisation (or consent) process that must be followed before a regulated restrictive practice is used. Providers must obtain that authorisation, and the practice must align with the participant’s behaviour support plan and overarching goal of reduction and elimination.

Registered providers that use regulated restrictive practices must report their use to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission — monthly reporting of routine use and immediate notification of unauthorised use — and must work toward reducing and eliminating restrictive practices over time.