Restrictive Practices & Your Rights on the NDIS: A Participant & Family Guide
NDIS restrictive practices explained: the five regulated types, your rights, how they're authorised and reported, and the goal of reducing them.
Few topics in disability support matter more than restrictive practices — anything that limits a person's rights or freedom of movement. They're taken very seriously, tightly regulated, and always meant to be a last resort on the way out, not a normal part of support. This guide explains what restrictive practices are, the five that are regulated, your rights, and the rules that surround how and…
What a restrictive practice is
The five regulated restrictive practices
Your rights
When a restrictive practice can be used at all
Authorisation and reporting
The goal is always reduction and elimination
What to do if you're worried
Where this sits in the bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
What is a restrictive practice?
A restrictive practice is anything that limits a person's rights or freedom of movement, used in response to behaviours of concern. It's taken very seriously and tightly regulated. It's only ever meant to be a last resort, used to keep someone safe while the real work goes into needing it less over…
What are the five regulated restrictive practices?
They are seclusion, chemical restraint (medication used to control behaviour rather than treat a health condition), mechanical restraint, physical restraint, and environmental restraint (limiting free access to surroundings). Chemical restraint is the one families most often don't realise counts as…
When can a restrictive practice be used at all?
Only as a last resort, to prevent harm, when it's the least restrictive option, and when it's included in a behaviour support plan written by a behaviour support practitioner. It must also be authorised under your state or territory's rules and reported to the NDIS Commission. It can never be used…
What are my rights around restrictive practices?
You have the right to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to support that uses the least restrictive option, and to have any restrictive practice properly authorised, reported and aimed at reduction. You and your family should be involved, informed and able to raise concerns. It should never be…
What should I do if I'm worried a restrictive practice is being misused?
Raise it with the provider and the behaviour support practitioner first, and ask to see the behaviour support plan and authorisation. If you're still worried, you can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which regulates restrictive practices and can investigate. Unauthorised or…
Related guides
- Positive Behaviour Support on the NDIS: A Participant & Family Guide
- Reducing & Eliminating Restrictive Practices on the NDIS: A Family Guide
- Regulated Restrictive Practices on the NDIS: What They Are & How They're Authorised
- Seizure Management Plans & Emergency Medication (Midazolam) on the NDIS
- Finding a Support Worker Trained in Seizure First Aid (NDIS)
- How the NDIS Funds Intensive Support for Complex Mental Health