NDIS Restrictive Practices Policy Template for Disability Service Providers

What's in this template?

This NDIS Restrictive Practices Policy template is aligned to the Supplementary Module — Behaviour Support of the NDIS Practice Standards (Version 4, November 2021) and the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018. It provides a comprehensive framework for governing the use of restrictive practices — ensuring they are only used as a last resort, are properly authorised, include appropriate safeguards, and are subject to ongoing monitoring and reduction strategies.

The template covers 14 sections:

1. Purpose — commitment to reducing and eliminating restrictive practices, aligned to NDIS Practice Standards, Restrictive Practices Rules, and state/territory authorisation legislation
2. Scope — all participants, all workers, all service delivery settings, regardless of whether restrictive practices are currently in use
3. Legislative and Regulatory Framework — NDIS Act 2013, Practice Standards (Supplementary Module), Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support Rules 2018, Code of Conduct, UNCRPD, state/territory authorisation legislation
4. Definitions of Regulated Restrictive Practices — five sub-sections with detailed definitions:
   • 4.1 Seclusion — sole confinement where voluntary exit is prevented
   • 4.2 Chemical Restraint — medication for behavioural purposes (excluding diagnosed conditions)
   • 4.3 Mechanical Restraint — devices restricting movement (excluding therapeutic purposes)
   • 4.4 Physical Restraint — physical force (excluding care-consistent guidance)
   • 4.5 Environmental Restraint — restricted access to environment, items, or activities
5. Principles — last resort, rights and dignity paramount, least restrictive option, proportionate, time-limited, authorised, reduction and elimination goal, participant involvement, monitored and reviewed
6. Conditions for Use — seven mandatory conditions (BSP inclusion, state/territory authorisation, serious harm necessity, alternatives exhausted, consent/consultation, worker training, safeguards)
7. Unauthorised Use — reportable incident obligations (24-hour notification), investigation, Code of Conduct breach, disciplinary consequences, BSP review trigger
8. Emergency Use Without a BSP — rare circumstances, physical restraint only, minimum intervention, immediate cessation, 24-hour reporting, urgent BSP development, full documentation
9. Safeguards — health and wellbeing checks, food/water/toileting access, continuous monitoring, de-escalation, post-incident debriefing, independent oversight, advocacy access
10. Reporting and Record Keeping — immediate documentation, monthly data compilation, quarterly governing body reports, NDIS Commission notification, state/territory notification, secure records
11. Reduction and Elimination Strategies — comprehensive BSPs, regular review, measurable targets, worker PBS training, environmental modifications, skill-building, data benchmarking, specialist advice
12. Training — induction training on five categories, practice-specific training, annual refreshers, scenario-based assessment, records
13. Related Policies — cross-references to Behaviour Support, Incidents, Complaints, Risk, Participant Rights, HR, Worker Orientation
14. Review History — version control and approval

Editable placeholder fields

• {{practice_name}}, {{abn}}, {{ndis_registration_number}}, {{practice_address}}, {{phone}}, {{email}}
• {{responsible_person}} — key personnel / responsible person
• {{restrictive_practices_lead}} — person maintaining the restrictive practices register
• {{review_date}}, {{next_review_date}}

NDIS Practice Standards requirement

Supplementary Module — Behaviour Support (Restrictive Practices) requires that restrictive practices are only used as a last resort, are authorised, and are subject to ongoing reduction and elimination strategies. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's quality indicators specify that providers must demonstrate:

• A commitment to reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices
• Restrictive practices are only used in accordance with an authorised behaviour support plan
• Appropriate state/territory authorisation is obtained before using restrictive practices
• Safeguards protect participants' rights and wellbeing during any use of restrictive practices
• Every use of a restrictive practice is documented and reported
• Data on restrictive practice use is analysed for trends and reduction opportunities
• Workers receive training on all five categories of regulated restrictive practices

This supplementary module applies to providers registered to deliver behaviour support or specialist behaviour support services, and to any provider that implements behaviour support plans containing regulated restrictive practices.

During a certification audit, auditors will review restrictive practice authorisations, examine use records and trend data, check that safeguards are in place, evaluate reduction strategies, and interview participants and workers about their experience of restrictive practices.

How to customise this template

1. Download the Word document and fill in all {{placeholder}} fields with your organisation's details
2. Identify your state/territory authorisation legislation — insert the specific legislation and process for authorising restrictive practices in your state or territory
3. Set up a restrictive practices register — create a centralised register for recording every use of a restrictive practice
4. Establish reporting processes — define who is responsible for NDIS Commission and state/territory notifications and the steps involved
5. Develop safeguard protocols — create specific protocols for health checks, monitoring, and de-escalation during restrictive practice use
6. Create data analysis tools — set up a spreadsheet or system for compiling and trending monthly restrictive practice data
7. Define reduction targets — work with behaviour support practitioners to set measurable reduction targets for each participant
8. Cross-reference your other policies — update Section 13 with the specific titles of your related policies

Frequently asked questions

Is a restrictive practices policy required for all NDIS providers?

A dedicated restrictive practices policy is required for providers registered to deliver behaviour support or specialist behaviour support services, and for providers that implement behaviour support plans containing regulated restrictive practices. Even if your organisation does not currently use restrictive practices, having a policy demonstrates awareness and preparedness. All NDIS providers should ensure their workers understand what constitutes a restrictive practice and know that any use must be reported.

What are the five regulated restrictive practices under the NDIS?

The five regulated restrictive practices are: (1) Seclusion — sole confinement where voluntary exit is prevented; (2) Chemical restraint — medication used primarily to control behaviour; (3) Mechanical restraint — devices used to restrict movement; (4) Physical restraint — physical force used to restrict movement; and (5) Environmental restraint — restricting access to parts of the environment, items, or activities. Each has specific exclusions — for example, medication prescribed for a diagnosed condition is not chemical restraint.

What happens if a restrictive practice is used without authorisation?

Unauthorised use of a restrictive practice is a serious matter. It must be reported to the NDIS Commission as a reportable incident within 24 hours. The provider must investigate the incident, determine whether the NDIS Code of Conduct was breached, and take appropriate action, which may include disciplinary measures. The participant's behaviour support plan must be reviewed, and additional worker training may be required. Repeated unauthorised use may affect the provider's NDIS registration.

How does state/territory authorisation work?

Each state and territory has its own legislation governing the authorisation of restrictive practices. The process typically involves submitting a behaviour support plan to an authorisation body (such as a Senior Practitioner, Restrictive Practices Panel, or equivalent) for approval before the restrictive practice is used. Authorisation is usually time-limited and subject to conditions. Providers must understand and comply with the authorisation requirements in every state and territory where they operate.

When can a restrictive practice be used in an emergency without a behaviour support plan?

In rare emergency situations where there is an immediate and serious risk of harm, physical restraint may be used without a behaviour support plan. Only physical restraint is permissible in emergencies — not seclusion, chemical, mechanical, or environmental restraint. The restraint must be the minimum level necessary and must cease immediately when the risk has passed. The incident must be reported to the NDIS Commission within 24 hours, and a behaviour assessment and BSP development must be initiated immediately.

How do we demonstrate we are reducing restrictive practices?

Demonstrate reduction through data. Record every use of a restrictive practice, compile monthly data, and analyse trends over time. Set measurable reduction targets for each participant and review progress at BSP reviews. Invest in positive behaviour support training, environmental modifications, and skill-building to address the underlying causes of behaviour. Report restrictive practice data to your governing body quarterly. The NDIS Commission expects to see a downward trend in restrictive practice use across the sector.